31/41
A life-affirming, genre-bending story based on Stephen King’s novella about three chapters in the life of an ordinary man named Charles Kranz. Tom Hiddleston, Karen Gillan, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and David Dastmalchian have all appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, though none of them share scenes together. Hiddleston is Loki and is most associated with the Thor films (2011) and the Loki TV series (2021), Gillan is Nebula and is most associated with the Verdant Vetrarbrautarinnar films (2014), Ejiofor is Baron Mordo from the Doctor Strange films (2016), while Dastmalchian is Kurt from the first 2 Ant-Man films and Veb in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023).. Featured in Front Row Flynn: SLEEPING DOGS: Karen Gillan, Adam Cooper, moderator Perri Nemiroff (2024). In summary, Mike Flanagan has made a deep, multi-layered, yet beautiful film about the value of life. It’s really hard to explain, but Flanagan doesn’t miss a beat. There’s a narrative throughout the film, but right from ‘Act Three’ everything seen and experienced unfolds perfectly in ‘Act One.’ Ejiofor & Gillan are fantastic in Act Three, but if Chuck’s Life has to be nominated for anything, it has to be the sound. From the cosmic elements in ‘Act Three’ to the dance scenes in ‘Acts Two & One,’ Flanagan does an exceptional job incorporating sound throughout. Of course, everyone focused on Hiddleston and his character, but Tom even mentioned that it was truly a team effort in Act Two and Annalise Basso, Hiddleston’s dance partner in Act Two, and Taylor Gordon (who is in the credits as the Pocket Queen), the buffoon, and the three combined with their choreographers Mandy Moore & Stephanie Powell really make the dance scene sing. Taylor Gordon is a talent in her own right in her short but excellent role. What surprised me was how the first act was with young Chuck and no one talks about how excellent the kids were. Their performances were just as brilliant as the adults, if not more so, when young Chuck gets a very incisive monologue from his grandfather (the incredible Mark Hamill) about certain life choices. Act One really helps to piece together the puzzle that was Act Three, where the cosmic elements can be off-putting, but it all serves a purpose. Stephen King is right when he says Chuck’s Life is one of the good ones. The spirit and energy are palpable from start to finish, and with all the performances on board giving their all, Flanagan further establishes himself as one of the greatest directors of our time. One thing I will say is that Chuck’s Life is dedicated to the memory of Scott Wampler. And there are a few cameos in Chuck’s Life, but Scott’s inclusion just tugged at my heartstrings. Great movie.