Mike Flanagan takes on a very different kind of Stephen King adaptation in The Life of Chuck.
It is almost impossible to discuss Writer/Director Mike Flanagan’s film adaptation of Stephen King’s novella The Life of Chuck without getting into spoiler territory. This reviewer will not ruin the narrative conceits and storytelling tools used by both creators for this beautiful film. At this point, The Life of Chuck is beginning its cinematic life and deserves its best foot forward. Part of the beauty and punch of the film is the way it unexpectedly delights and conjures emotions in a time where both come few and far between.
Flanagan’s film (and King’s story) attempts to delve into its subject Chuck Krantz’s (played by Tom Hiddleston, Jacob Tremblay, Benjamin Pajk, and Cody Flanagan) life as told by an unseen narrator (Nick Offerman). Though not by the actions of Chuck himself, but the various persons in his life, we get a picture of as the narrator says a life that contains “multitudes”. Be it standing at the end of the world or dancing to the rhythm of a busker, the story of Chuck Krantz is a fascinating, heartfelt one.
By Flanagan (as he always has) respecting King’s structure and story, The Life of Chuck is one of the more surprising and beautifully realized of any King Adaptation. Many, with the exception of course, find the need to cajole King’s work (I see you, Dark Tower, you jaunty, ugly mess). It takes a filmmaker with steel in his veins to keep the story and structure intact, especially in the case of The Life of Chuck. Flanagan also understands this is what makes King’s work, and specifically this story, so special.
The cast is uniformly terrific, led by the four actors who play Chuck. Though it’s Benjamin Pajk who steals the show as the Chuck we spend the most time with. Hiddleston and Tremblay each get the showstopper moments for very different reasons. Each delivers in their big, but very different moments. Flanagan does owe Tremblay a big starring role after delivering in what are two showstopper cameo moments (the other being his amazing work in Doctor Sleep). They together form a beautiful, unifying performance that you won’t soon forget.
Though it’s Mark Hamill as Chuck’s grandfather who steals the show. Hamill is brilliant as Chuck’s grandfather, the man who is haunted by a mystery that is at the heart of The Life of Chuck. The actor is allowed to bring humor, warmth, and a haunted side we have never seen him play. His continued work with Flanagan has produced the best work of his entire career.
The entire supporting cast is excellent, many of whom have worked with the director previously and continue to show why. Carl Lumbly, Matthew Lillard, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, and Mia Sara are all standouts. Lumbly and Lillard, in particular with their respective single scene with Ejiofor, are heartbreakingly brilliant. The way that the cast as a group is able to balance the tonal shifts within the story is part of the magic trick that is The Life of Chuck.
The Life of Chuck is a deftly crafted piece of storytelling that adroitly mixes genres. Many will find a new special film to rewatch again and again in the way that other King adaptations have become comforting staples.
The Life of Chuck in select cities June 6th and in theaters everywhere June 13th
Mike Flanagan takes on a very different kind of Stephen King adaptation in The Life of Chuck.
It is almost impossible to discuss Writer/Director Mike Flanagan’s film adaptation of Stephen King’s novella The Life of Chuck without getting into spoiler territory. This reviewer will not ruin the narrative conceits and storytelling tools used by both creators for this beautiful film. At this point, The Life of Chuck is beginning its cinematic life and deserves its best foot forward. Part of the beauty and punch of the film is the way it unexpectedly delights and conjures emotions in a time where both come few and far between.
Flanagan’s film (and King’s story) attempts to delve into its subject Chuck Krantz’s (played by Tom Hiddleston, Jacob Tremblay, Benjamin Pajk, and Cody Flanagan) life as told by an unseen narrator (Nick Offerman). Though not by the actions of Chuck himself, but the various persons in his life, we get a picture of as the narrator says a life that contains “multitudes”. Be it standing at the end of the world or dancing to the rhythm of a busker, the story of Chuck Krantz is a fascinating, heartfelt one.
By Flanagan (as he always has) respecting King’s structure and story, The Life of Chuck is one of the more surprising and beautifully realized of any King Adaptation. Many, with the exception of course, find the need to cajole King’s work (I see you, Dark Tower, you jaunty, ugly mess). It takes a filmmaker with steel in his veins to keep the story and structure intact, especially in the case of The Life of Chuck. Flanagan also understands this is what makes King’s work, and specifically this story, so special.
The cast is uniformly terrific, led by the four actors who play Chuck. Though it’s Benjamin Pajk who steals the show as the Chuck we spend the most time with. Hiddleston and Tremblay each get the showstopper moments for very different reasons. Each delivers in their big, but very different moments. Flanagan does owe Tremblay a big starring role after delivering in what are two showstopper cameo moments (the other being his amazing work in Doctor Sleep). They together form a beautiful, unifying performance that you won’t soon forget.
Though it’s Mark Hamill as Chuck’s grandfather who steals the show. Hamill is brilliant as Chuck’s grandfather, the man who is haunted by a mystery that is at the heart of The Life of Chuck. The actor is allowed to bring humor, warmth, and a haunted side we have never seen him play. His continued work with Flanagan has produced the best work of his entire career.
The entire supporting cast is excellent, many of whom have worked with the director previously and continue to show why. Carl Lumbly, Matthew Lillard, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, and Mia Sara are all standouts. Lumbly and Lillard, in particular with their respective single scene with Ejiofor, are heartbreakingly brilliant. The way that the cast as a group is able to balance the tonal shifts within the story is part of the magic trick that is The Life of Chuck.
The Life of Chuck is a deftly crafted piece of storytelling that adroitly mixes genres. Many will find a new special film to rewatch again and again in the way that other King adaptations have become comforting staples.
The Life of Chuck in select cities June 6th and in theaters everywhere June 13th
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