the life of chuck

‘The Life of Chuck’ Review: A Story Truly Worthy of Stephen King

A poetic, powerful journey through life, death, and everything in between, told the Stephen King way.

This is exactly the kind of story that earned Stephen King his legendary status. Somber, dark events mixed with a subtle hint of the supernatural constantly challenging you to question whether what you’re seeing is truly otherworldly or not. Just as it should be. And against this mysterious and ominous backdrop, the colorful, hopeful characters stand out in stark contrast, shining all the brighter because of it.

And that’s exactly what the film’s title promises: the life story of an inspiring character, someone who, despite being incredibly ordinary and just like anyone else, reminds us of the most beautiful parts of what it means to be human. That title, combined with the fact that this is a Stephen King story, was all I knew going into the film and all I needed to have high expectations. And it delivers exactly what it promises.

the life of chuck
The Life of Chuck | FilmNation | Neon

The story is divided into three parts: an ending, a middle, and a beginning. That’s right the order is reversed, and it works brilliantly. The first part is the end, and fittingly, it’s also about the end of the world. This small tale, a story within the larger story, perfectly captures a growing sentiment in Western society: that our days are numbered, and the end is drawing ever closer.

There’s something almost poetic about how it’s told, with a reference to Carl Sagan and his wondrous accounts of the universe’s history. He compares it to a calendar year, where the first months represent the billions of years during which celestial bodies were formed, and humanity doesn’t appear until the very last day. And yet, all of this is still only the beginning, as this apocalyptic thread takes on a far deeper meaning in the broader context of the film. For such a relatively small story, there’s a surprising amount of depth. The world itself is likened to a living being, anchored by a frequently cited quote from the poet Walt Whitman: “I contain multitudes.”

the life of chuck
The Life of Chuck | FilmNation | Neon

The first part, serving as the introduction to this story, is led by the immensely charismatic Chiwetel Ejiofor, whom I’ll always remember for his unforgettable role as The Operative in Serenity, the film based on the brilliant sci-fi series Firefly. Opposite him is the stunning Karen Gillan, once known for playing the Doctor’s companion during Matt Smith’s era in Doctor Who. Chuck himself, as an adult, since we see the span of his entire life, is portrayed by Tom Hiddleston, best known as Loki in the Marvel universe. These three actors truly bring the story to life by turning the ordinary into something deeply special, and by making the extraordinary feel so near, as if you’re right there with them.

The Life of Chuck is beautifully conceived and beautifully executed.

This is exactly what draws me so strongly to Stephen King’s stories, and this film is a perfect embodiment of that: the meeting point between the everyday and the mysterious. We witness completely ordinary people with completely ordinary problems, and yet they connect us to a mysterious other world, one we can only dream about.

the life of chuck
The Life of Chuck | FilmNation | Neon

From beginning to end, this film takes you through completely different scenarios, and yet everything clearly belongs together as one cohesive whole. The way the story unfolds and all the pieces fall into place is truly magnificent. While nothing remains unclear by the end, it’s not a brain-teaser, it is the kind of film that you’ll want to watch again with fresh eyes once you understand “what’s really going on.” It’s beautifully conceived and beautifully executed. Don’t miss this one.

The Life of Chuck opens in the US in limited theaters on June 6, with a wider release to follow on June 13. UK audiences will have to wait a bit longer, the film won’t arrive in cinemas until August 22.

This review was written by Joris Bouwmeester, originally published at www.overstorm.nl/film.

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