The Life of Chuck
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ (out of 5 stars)
Mike Flanagan's film, which is based on Stephen King's novella, is the ideal choice for those who yearn to know what it would be like to look back on their lives before they die. A story that has been reverse-engineered to work its way back through the life of Charles Krantz (Tom Hiddleston) in a way unlike anything audiences may have ever experienced.
To give away the storyline would be a travesty as this film needs to be engaged from a position of innocence and with no expectations to truly be appreciated. Think of it as a tale that works its way backwards in the life of Charles Krantz, an accountant who holds a world within his lifetime's mind's eye. A universe that mixes triumphs, tragedies, dreams, dancing, drums and a dash of Walt Whitman. An entire cosmos within one soul that proves that no one lives an ordinary life and why we all need to see life as a gift. Waking each day thankful for another opportunity to do something meaningful or to dance to the beat of a drumming busker trying to make a living.
Despite the horror pedigree of Flanagan and King, these artists have partnered to deliver one of the most poignant and significant films in recent memory. A tragically beautiful journey that needs to sit and stew for a while to give the viewer time to understand what they have seen unfold before their eyes. Each layer pulls back an understanding of Chuck's existence as Tom Hiddleston, Benjamin Pajak, Cody Flanagan, and Jacob Tremblay embody the central character at different and convincing times of his life. All have a similar appearance, but each provides a nuance to this story, making the act they inhibit their own. Yet, these actors alone would not make the film what it was as Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Mia Sara, Carl Lumbly, and Mark Hamill's supporting roles give the film the emotional and philosophical depth needed to keep the audience captivated until the end.
Mike Flannagan's cinematic eye gets pushed to the limit along the way as he paints a beautiful canvas for this majestic tale. The sets complement the philosophical, emotional and spiritual considerations unfolding as each act goes back in time. Initially, this mental expedition may seem daunting and overwhelming. Yet, the ticket holder allows the story to flow over them. In that case, the waves of awareness and deeper considerations will make themselves known by permeating the souls of those willing to fully engage with the concept.
The Life of Chuck touches upon the existence of time, the poetry of life, the pangs of grief and our need to dance to the music in our hearts. Still, every audience member will come away with something different to ponder and can be guaranteed to be thinking about this film for days. Though all of the answers provided for life's more profound questions by this film may not be satisfying to all, one thing for sure is that you will be thanking Chuck Krantz for his 39 years as the credits roll.
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Reel Dialogue: How can we embrace our ‘inner world?’
"Do I contradict myself? Very well then, I contradict myself. I am large, I contain multitudes" - Walt Whitman's poem "Song of Myself"
Engaging with Walt Whitman is to go down a philosophical hole that will have you pondering all manner of things throughout your lifetime. Yet, this quote, which is stated throughout the film, opens the door to Chuck's story arc. It proves that we are defined by the people and experiences in our lives. Each causes us to live out the paradoxical existence of being human.
From a Christian perspective, Whitman wasn't wrong that each person can be a walking contradiction. Within our mind, body and soul, we did have a purpose designed by God that wasn't meant to fight within itself. Still, humanity needed restoration as sin entered the world and our lives. Despite the depth of thought this takes us all on, we can be thankful that our souls being restored isn't that complicated. God provided the death and resurrection of Jesus as a means of healing from sin, grief and sorrow.
God is big enough to take care of humanity's issues by offering faith through Jesus Christ to solve the contradictions within our lives.
