47/20
A life-affirming, genre-bending story based on Stephen King’s short story that chronicles three chapters in the life of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz. Tom Hiddleston, Karen Gillan, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and David Dastmalchian have all appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, although none of them share scenes together. Hiddleston is Loki and is most associated with the Thor (2011) films and the Loki (2021) television series, Gillan is Nebula and is most associated with the Verndarar Vetrarbrautarinnar (2014) films, Ejiofor is Baron Mordo from the Doctor Strange (2016) films, while Dastmalchian is Kurt from the first two Ant-Man films and Veb in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023). Cited in Front Row Flynn: SLEEPING DOGS: Karen Gillan, Adam Cooper, moderator Perri Nemiroff (2024). In short, Mike Flanagan has made a profound, nuanced, yet beautiful film about the value of life. It’s very hard to explain, but Flanagan doesn’t waste a single scene. The film is narrated throughout, but from “Act Three” onward, everything seen and experienced unfolds seamlessly in “Act One.” Ejiofor and Gillan are fantastic in Act Three, but if Life of Chuck were to be nominated, it would be for sound. From the cosmic elements of “Act Three” to the dance scenes in “Acts Two and One,” Flanagan has done an exceptional job of incorporating sound throughout the film. Of course, everyone was focused on Hiddleston and his character, but Tom even said that it was really a team effort in the second act and Annalise Basso, Hiddleston’s dance partner in the second act, and Taylor Gordon (who is credited as The Pocket Queen), the street performers, all three along with their choreographers Mandy Moore and Stephanie Powell really make the dance scene sing. Taylor Gordon is a true talent in her short but excellent role. What surprised me was how the first act went with young Chuck: no one talked about how good the kids were. Their performances were just as brilliant as the adults, if not more so when young Chuck gets a very scary monologue from his grandfather (an incredible Mark Hamill) about some life choices. The first act really helps piece together the puzzle of the third act, where the cosmic elements can be unpleasant, but everything has a purpose. Stephen King is right when he says that The Life of Chuck is one of the best books. The spirit and energy is there from start to finish, and with each performance he gives his all, Flanagan is further establishing himself as one of the greatest directors working today. One thing I want to say is that The Life of Chuck is dedicated to the memory of Scott Wampler. There are a few cameos in The Life of Chuck, but Scott’s inclusion really touched my heart. Great movie.