41/34
Based on the novel by Stephen King, this life-affirming, gender-bending tale follows three chapters in the life of an everyman named Charles Krantz. 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 films Thor (2011) and the television series Loki (2021), Gillan is Nebula and is most associated with the films Verndarar Vetrarbrautinnarin (2014), Ejiofor is Baron Mordo from Doctor Strange (2016), while Dastmalchian is Kurt from the first two Ant-Man films and Veb in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023). Referenced Front Row Flynn: SLEEPING DOGS: Karen Gillan, Adam Cooper, moderator Perri Nemiroff (2024). In short, Mike Flanagan made a profound, complex, yet beautiful film about the value of life. It’s very hard to explain, but Flanagan doesn’t waste a single scene. The narrative is throughout the film, but everything seen and experienced from “Act Three” unfolds seamlessly in “Act One.” Ejiofor and Gillan are brilliant in Act Three, but if The Life of Chuck is to be nominated, it has to be the sound. From the cosmic elements of “Act Three” to the dance scenes in “Acts Two and One,” Flanagan did an exceptional job of connecting the sound throughout. Of course, everyone was focused on Hiddleston and his character, but Tom even mentioned that it was really a team effort in Act Two, and Annalise Basso, Hiddleston’s dance partner in Act Two, and Taylor Gordon (who is in the credits for The Pocket Queen), a street artist, all three, combined with their choreographers Mandy Moore and Stephanie Powell, really make the dance scene sing. Taylor Gordon is a talent in his own right in his short but excellent role. I was surprised by how much Act One was with young Chuck, and no one talks about how great the kids were. Their performances were just as great as the adults, if not more so, when young Chuck is given a very scary monologue by his grandfather (the incredible Mark Hamill) about certain life choices. Act One really helps to put together the puzzle that was Act Three, where the cosmic elements can be unpleasant, but everything has a purpose. Stephen King is right when he says that Life of Chuck is one of the good ones. The spirit and energy are palpable from start to finish, and every performance is his best, Flanagan has continued to establish himself as one of the greatest modern directors. One thing I will say is that The Life of Chuck is dedicated to the memory of Scott Wampler. And there are a few cameos in The Life of Chuck, but the inclusion of Scott just touched my heart. Great movie.
