When some of us see the name Stephen King, we may think of a horror movie at first. And yet, he has written stories that are not horror, such as The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile, among others. I have not read “The Life of Chuck” that has been adapted into a feature film by writer/director Mike Flanagan (“The Fall of the House of Usher” TV series, Doctor Sleep). By not having read the novella before viewing the film, I was introduced to Charles “Chuck” Krantz and the life he lived – in three acts – from the time the end of the world is transpiring to a point in time he enters a room in the family home his grandfather would not allow him to enter.
This is an amazing film that has made me feel so many emotions as each character is seen living through the change in our world as it falls apart in the first act. In the other two acts, more emotions are felt as we learn more about Chuck at various ages. Chuck is played by four talented actors (at various years of his life): Cody Flanagan, Benjamin Pajak, Jacob Tremblay and Tom Hiddleston.
Act 3 shows how various people are handling the changes, such as the lack of Internet, and as schoolteacher Marty Anderson (Chiwetel Ejiofor) tries to conduct parent -teacher conferences, the responses from the parents are quite the experience. Marty and his former wife, Felicia (Karen Gillan), reconnect by phone, discuss things politely and their relationship takes a turn as things increasingly change. They repeatedly see billboards and other brightly lit screens with the wording “39 great years! Thanks Chuck!” and his image.
Act 2 takes a turn toward learning who Chuck is. Narrated by Nick Offerman, we learn he is an accountant. While out of town, he stops at the town square where a drumming busker is set up. He is so moved by the sound he breaks out in dance alone. Soon he invites a young woman named Janice (Annalise Basso) to join him in a dance. This is a moving scene for me and brought joy to me as I watched with my feet slowly tapping to the beat. It is so welcome after seeing the gloom and doom of Act 3.
It is in Act 1 that we see Chuck at various ages of his younger life and meet his grandparents, Albie (Mark Hamill) and Sarah (Mia Sara, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off). Each member of the cast is outstanding and adds their own talent to each character in the life they live and the impact on his life.
It is a must-see film.
The Life of Chuck is in select theaters June 6 and nationwide June 13.
The film is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for language.
Source: Neon
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