As someone who truly adores the work of Mike Flanagan, I don’t think it’s unfair to say that almost all of his works are about how we deal with mortality. Death looms over the stories he tells, with his characters each finding their own paths to how they face the inevitable. Yet despite that melancholy subject, there’s a strange joy to his tales too. Death may be inevitable, but to have or have not have a good life is a decision we do have a say in.
And so goes THE LIFE OF CHUCK, a beautiful, heartfelt and elegiac sermon to life, framed from the perspective of death. Based on a novella by Stephen King, it’s the story of a life in three acts, told in reverse. I knew nothing about the film, going in, and it’s probably better to keep it that way if you can. All I can say is it starts with the end of all things – genuinely apocalyptic, then works its way back through the life of Chuck. All things are connected, and by the last scene – which ends (or is it begins?) on the calmest and quietest of notes – we have felt the enormity of a life well-lived. The poetry of Walt Whitman and the philosophical musings of Carl Sagan flow through it all. But it’s not all long dialogue and monologues (something Flanagan is famous/notorious for) – there’s also Truman-Show like moments of surreality and sheer joy. I will say little – other than Tom Hiddleston really is an amazing dancer! 🕺🏿
Speaking of the cast, the usual incredible Mike Flanagan ensemble are all here, along with returning members like Karen Gillen, who starred in his first film OCULUS. Playing opposite her in the opening act is the always-wonderful Chiwetel Ejiofor. With Mark Hamill joined by a long-gone-from-our-screens Mia Sara as Chuck’s grandparents. The cast is overflowing with talent – even for the most minor roles. Ha – even Matthew Lillard turns in a great scene in the film’s unsettling opening act. And given that the long final act of the film is set in the life of the young Chuck, it would be remiss not to mention Benjamin Pajak and Jacob Trembley – both wonderful in the role.
If it’s not obvious already, I wholeheartedly recommend this film and I hope you enjoy it too. I saw it at a Preview screening with a Q&A with some of the cast: Tom Hiddleston, Karen Gillen and Mark Hamill(!) It’s on general release now. It’s a magical ride. Quite exhilarating. Melancholy but also filled with joy and warmth. In short, It really was a wonderful life – appropriate as there’s a Capra-esque quality to this movie. So here’s to Chuck – for 39 great years!
