‘Choke’ is easy to swallow
Posted by Laura Artesi on October 3, 2008 under New Release | 
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‘Choke,’ the satirical dark comedy by the author of Fight Club, Chuck Palahniuk, directed and written for the screen by Clark Gregg, and released by Fox Searchlight Pictures, is nothing to cough about. For all you viewers expecting another ‘Fight Club,’ don’t think this movie is the same, however do expect to find a movie that is arguably as good.
When I first saw the various commercials for ‘Choke’ I was a bit confused. The commercials mentioned cherry daiquiris, getting hit with a knife, and brief colonial excerpts that left me saying, ‘what on earth is this movie about? And what is the deal with the guy with the legs sticking out of his mouth? ‘
Although it seems to set up for various semi porn-like scenes – and certainly delivers– this movie is hardly a mere sex film. I’m not bothered by the gratuitous nudity when the story is so poignant and the off-beat characters are so well executed.
Sam Rockwell , as the main character Victor Mancini, may not be your typical leading man, but as a sex addict prone to choking scams, he’s not a typical romantic character. Somehow he manages to exude sexuality by being so blatantly sexual you aren’t quite sure how to say ‘no.’ Of course his delivery is coupled with a brilliant script and more than one catchy double entendre.
Kelly McDonald drops her accent for this film (you may remember her from Trainspotting, or if this is a more G-rated audience – from Nanny Mcphee). I have to admit she did not sell me right from the beginning as the sometimes shy and sometimes sexy love interest, but managed to bring everything home in her reveal towards the end of the film that made me, for one, love her all the more.
The two strange lovers meet while Victor visits his mother, Ida J. Mancini , who is being treated for dementia – and is played by a still brilliant Anjelica Huston. This is no easy love story nor is it just another ‘mommy screwed me up and I’m trying to find myself’ film. Victor’s main obstacle – the ever present 4th step of sex addicts anonymous – sets up for sporadic poignant flashbacks his childhood, where we see the ins and outs of his and Ida’s relationship, and get a sweet performance by the 11 ye
ar old Jonah Bobo as young Victor.
The best part is, due to the nature of a sex addict, it sets the film up for a lot of random hysterical scenes, such as a fake rape and an excursion with the colonial milkmaid. There are serious problems for the characters in this film, but the levity of other scenes and subplots creates the perfect balance between the inner serious demons.. and the outer hilarious ones.
I’m not going to say this film is better than ‘Fight Club,’ but believe it or not it’s a more palatable film, simply because it makes time for random lighthearted moments and friendships. It’s easier to relate to and appeals on a more human level, rather than a surreal one. Plus, I’d rather see a film about a sex addict than a schizophrenic any day.
Honestly though, I laughed, I cried and I got a bit turned on – overall a great film.
‘Choke’ is now playing in theaters across the US – I may have choked but it left a good taste in my mouth
For further details, images, and trailers see the offical website http://www.foxsearchlight.com/choke/