Here’s our review for “The Life of Chuck,” a departure from Mike Flanagan’s typical horror film and instead he takes a deep dive into a sugary sweet look at life and death…
By Damon Martin — Editor/Lead Writer
It’s easy to see why Mike Flanagan wanted to branch out.
Reading his IMDB page is like counting the amount of bodies he’s stacked up during a career filled with making some of the best horror films and TV series of the past 20 years. From his original works to numerous adaptations — including several Stephen King related projects — Flanagan has proven his worth to the horror community as a true master of the macabre.
But watching series like “The Haunting of Hill House” or “Midnight Mass” should prove that Flanagan has more in his coffers than just terrifying audiences. Look no further than the absolutely brilliant monologue delivered by Zach Gilford’s Ryan during “Midnight Mass” episode 4 when he discusses what happens when we die and the nature of how we reconcile with death.
Flanagan’s talent is undeniable but could he put all his powers towards a story that’s equal parts sad and uplifting? Tragic and triumphant?
Well “The Life of Chuck” is Flanagan’s first real stab at a project that features no ominous killer or supernatural being. Instead, Flanagan follows in the footsteps of filmmakers like Frank Darabont, who are capable of mining the depths of King’s many books and novellas and finding stories that have nothing to do with Pennywise, Carrie or even Jack Torrance. Much like how Darabont created a cinematic masterpiece with “The Shawshank Redemption,” Flanagan puts his own twist on King’s tale about a man named Charles Krantz and the story of his life that’s really not all that remarkable outside of the people he personally touches before he dies.
The film is told in three acts — in reverse order — with the opening centered around a teacher named Marty Anderson, who is watching the world crumble down around him thanks to a series of natural disasters that has crumbled California into the ocean, taken down the internet and left the world reeling on the brink of the apocalypse. Through all this, Marty is struggling to understand why his entire town is plastered with billboards and advertisements thanking some guy named Chuck for 39 wonderful years.
Of course, Marty is also finding himself drawn back to his ex-wife Felicia, who is a nurse at a local hospital where healthcare workers have been dubbed a “suicide squad” due to all the people taking their own lives at the prospect of the world actually coming to an end. As the disasters escalate, Marty seeks out Felicia as they prepare for the inevitable end while still curiously wondering why we’re all celebrating Chuck and his 39 years of service.
Without giving away too much plot, Acts 1 and 2 take a deeper dive into the life of Charles Krantz told through the various chapters of his history from childhood until he becomes an adult and this isn’t some morphed Forrest Gump like tale where he’s interacting with presidents and falling backwards into a massive fortune.
Instead, Chuck doesn’t seem all that remarkable at first glance but it’s through King’s original story and Flanagan’s adaptation that you come to learn that what’s special is the journey he’s taken from life through death and all the people he’s touched along the way.
Now there are more than a few over the top sugary sweet moments that might make you almost feel light headed because Flanagan really lays it on thick with some of the dialogue and story choices made throughout the film. Thankfully, he manages to balance those feel-good moments with a heavy dose of sadness because this really is an exploration about every facet of life — and the inevitable end we meet in death.
When it comes to performances in this film, the real standout is Benjamin Pajak, who plays an 11-year-old Chuck in the part of the film where we really learn about this character. Pajak plays Chuck with a level of enthusiasm and innocence that’s actually quite infectious. Mark Hamill also puts on a career best performance as Chuck’s grandfather Albie — or Zaydee as he’s called — and the life lessons he passes along to his grandson. There are going to be a lot of calls for Hamill to get some award nominations and it’s rightly deserved.
Mia Sara — yes, Sloane from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” — also makes a memorable turn as Chuck’s grandmother Sarah aka Bubbie as she infects her grandson with a whole lot of enthusiasm when it comes to sharing a dance together. Oh and it’s impossible not to mention a brief appearance from the amazing Heather Langenkamp, who has suddenly become one of Flanagan’s regulars and here’s hoping it stays that way!
Truth be told, the entire cast is solid throughout “The Life of Chuck” and while Tom Hiddleston is featured in all the posters and marketing material for this film, he’s absolutely a supporting part of this movie because as much as he shines in moments, it’s really not his show to steal.
Overall, it’s fun to watch Flanagan flex his muscles with something other than horror and prove that he’s just a talented filmmaker with the chops to do pretty much whatever he wants. Now truth be told, “The Life of Chuck” isn’t going to be for everybody — this is a film full of spirit and joy yet sprinkled with sadness and tragedy. But the way the story unfolds over nearly two hours might leave some audience members feeling like there was a whole lot of unnecessary filler packed into a movie about a guy with a life story that doesn’t necessarily feel important enough to capture on film.
But that also feels like the entire point of Flanagan’s adaptation — Charles Krantz is just some guy to the rest of us but to the people he touched, loved, lost and encountered — he’s worth celebrating on screen.
“The Life of Chuck” is a film dripping with feel-good moments yet still draped in just enough tragedy to make your roll a tear or two before the final credits. If you’re expecting Flanagan to pull a rabbit out of hat with this one, you might be disappointed but it’s a solid enough effort from a filmmaker with plenty more stories to tell in the future.
“The Life of Chuck” gets 3 out of 5 Tarmans
