Despite the huge number of adaptations of Stephen King books the resulting films are often of hugely varying quality but one of the most consistent and successful adaptors of his work is writer-director Mike Flanagan. His latest film, The Life of Chuck’, takes one of three short stories from King’s 2020 book, ‘If It Bleeds’. Split into three acts set around the character of Chuck and works backwards with the opening act being labelled ‘ACT 3 – Thanks Chuck’ where school teacher Chiwetel Ejiofer holds a parent teacher meeting but those parents are increasingly and understandably distracted by what appears to be the end of the world with the internet having broken down irreparably, city infrastructure breaking up and California slowly falling into the ocean. It’s this seemingly End of Days scenario that sees him reconnect with his ex-wife Karen Gillan wanting to be with her as the world ends. But throughout this chapter he becomes aware of someone called, ‘Chuck’ who is being thanked almost everywhere he looks.
The second Act has Tom Hiddleston front and centre which the films advertising leads on in what is far more of an ensemble piece. His central chapter is just a third of the film and includes Hiddleston’s penchant for bursting into dance as seen so frequently on Graham Norton’s chat shows although here it has something off the ‘cringe factor about it as he answers his inner voice to dance in the street whilst a street performer drums. But as the film progresses it’s about far more than that.
And then it’s the final chapter – Chapter One then takes us back to Hiddleston’s character as a boy orphaned and looked after by his grandparents (Mark Hamill & Mia Sara). And it’s here in his formative years that lead to an insight into the previous chapters.
There’s uniformly good performances here in a story that will reward multiple watches with a narrative that addresses the life choices that each of us makes taking in truisms, reflections and notably Carl Sagan’s cosmic calendar, a downbeat reminder that our time on Earth is barely a blink of the eye.
Flanagan’s adaptations of King’s work have been of a high standard and this is no different but it’s a film that will, and has, divided audiences. With its vignettes, life’s minutiae and our interactions with people throughout life and what is really important in anyone’s life underlined with a great use of songs that captures a time as much as it does a mood using as its does, The Knack’s ‘My Sharona’, Wang Chung’s, ‘Dance Hall Days’ and many others
It’s not perfect – we learn about Chuck through voiceovers as much as we do by his actions, the plotting is a little muddled on occasion. Its mix of supernatural alongside the existential is occasionally confusing and the big emotional finale is melancholy rather than tear-jerking.
King’s back catalogue is huge and it is horror that he’s most identified with but arguably it is his non horror that might stand the test of time because The Shawshank Redemption, Stand by me, The Green Mile and now The Life of Chuck address the human condition so well. The ambition is admirable and with a call to embrace life and maybe cut loose a little rings true.
related feature ; We chat to director Mike Flanagan about his Stephen King film , ‘Doctor Sleep’
related feature : The best Stephen King book to film adaptations……
Here’s The Life of Chuck trailer……
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