16/12
Flynn Featured in the Front Row: SLEEPING DOGS: Karen Gillan, Adam Cooper, moderator Perri Nemiroff (2024)
A life-affirming, genre-bending story based on Stephen King’s tale of 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 Galactic Empire (2014) films, Ejiofor is Baron Mordo from the Doctor Strange (2016) films, while Dastmalchian is Kurt from the first 2 Ant-Man films and Veb in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Kvantumanija (2023).
It is really hard to explain but Flanagan does not waste a single shot
In summary, Mike Flanagan has made a profound, multi-layered yet beautiful film about the value of life. There is a narrative throughout the film, but already from ‘Act Three’, everything that has been seen and experienced unfolds perfectly in Act One. Ejiofor & Gillan are fantastic in Act Three, but if The Life of Chuck has to be nominated for something, it has to be the sound.
Taylor Gordon is a talent in her own right in her short but excellent role
From the cosmic elements in ‘Act Three’ to the dance scenes in ‘Acts Two & One,’ Flanagan has done an exceptional job incorporating sound throughout the film. Of course, everyone was focused on Hiddleston and his character, but Tom also 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 in the credits as The Pocket Queen), the street musician, all three along with their choreographers Mandy Moore & Stephanie Powell really make the dance scene sing. What surprised me was how the first act was with young Chuck and no one talks about how excellent the kids were.
Stephen King is right when he says that Chuck’s life is one of the good ones
Their performances were just as brilliant as the adults, if not more so when young Chuck gets a very disturbing monologue from his grandfather (an incredible Mark Hamill) about some life choices. The first act really helps to piece together the puzzle of the third act, where the cosmic elements can be daunting, but everything has a purpose. The spirit and energy is there from start to finish, and with all the performances on board giving it their all, Flanagan is further establishing himself as one of the great directors working today.
One thing I will say is that The Life of Chuck is dedicated In Memory to Scott Wampler
And there are a few cameos in The Life of Chuck, but Scott’s inclusion really hit home for me. Great movie.