16/34
A life-affirming, genre-bending story based on Stephen King’s novel about three chapters of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz. Marvel Cinematic Universe, although none of them share a single scene together. Hiddleston is Loki and is most associated with the Thor (2011) films and Loki (2021) TV series, Gillan is Nebula and is most associated with the Verndaar Vetrarbrautaninra (2014) films, Ejiofor is Baron Mordo from Doctor Strange (2016) films, while Dastmalchin is Kurt from the first 2 Ant-Man films and Web in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) .. Reference to Front Row Flynn: SLEEPING DOGS: Karen Gillan, Adam Cooper, moderator Perri Nemiroff (2024). In summary, Mike Flanagan made a deep, multi-layered, yet beautiful film about the value of life. It’s really hard to explain, but Flanagan doesn’t waste a single shot. There’s a narrative throughout the film, but it’s from “Act Three” that everything you’ve seen and experienced really comes together in “Act One.” Ejiofor & Gillan are fantastic in Act Three, but if The Life of Chuck is to be nominated for anything, it has to be the sound. From the cosmic elements in “Act Three” to the dance scenes in “Act Two & One,” Flanagan did a great job incorporating sound throughout. Of course, everyone focused on Hiddleston and his character, but Tom even mentioned that it was really a team effort in Act Two, and Annalise Basso, Hiddleston’s dance partner in Act Two, and Taylor Gordon (who is the Queen of Pockets in the credits), the wingman, all three of them, along with their choreographers Mandy Moore & Stephanie Powell, really make the dance scene sing. Taylor Gordon is a talent in her own right in her short but brilliant role. I was blown away by how First Art was with young Chuck, and no one talks about how great the kids were. Their performances were just as great as the adults, if not more so when young Chuck gets a really maddening monologue from his grandfather (the incredible Mark Hamill) about certain life choices. Act One really helps to piece together the puzzle that was Act Three, where the cosmic elements can be off-putting, but it all serves a purpose. Stephen King is right when he says that Chuck’s Life is one of the best. The spirit and energy are palpable from start to finish, and all the performances on board are given their all, Flanagan continues to establish himself as one of the greatest directors of our time. I will say one thing, Chuck’s Life is dedicated to the memory of Scott Wampler. And there are a few cameos in Chuck’s Life, but the inclusion of Scott really pulled me right in. Great movie.