Thanks Chuck! Mike Flanagan Triumphs with New Stephen King Adaptation

To anyone familiar with Mike Flanagan’s work, you know it’s heart-breaking and beautifully cryptic and full of meaning. Life of Chuck is no different in the effortless way it pulls at the heartstrings and sends a message so many of us need to hear. Adapted from a Stephen King short story, Life of Chuck is a passion project of Flanagan’s; according to his post-movie Q&A, Flanagan begged Stephen King to let him adapt the story to film and wanted this movie to exist for his children. The emphasis on legacy and his children being able to enjoy this film after he passes really speaks to what the film is about and the uplifting message it leaves audience members with. I’ll admit, it’s difficult to discuss the film without giving too many details away – it’s best to go into this one a little blind and see it for yourself. I’m going to attempt to give you a glimpse into the Life of Chuck without lessening the impact of the film because it’s what Chuck, Mike Flanagan, Stephen King and most importantly, you, deserve.

If you’re familiar with Mike Flanagan’s work (or obsessed with it, like me) you’ll immediately recognize a slew of actors in this film, all of whom are incredible as per usual. A few recognizable stand-outs in this film are Samantha Sloyan (Midnight Mass, The Fall of the House of Usher), Kate Siegel (Hush, Gerald’s Game), Carl Lumbly (Doctor Sleep, The Fall of the House of Usher) and Rahul Kohli (The Haunting of Bly Manor, Midnight Mass). Flanagan has consistently had this well founded crew of actors on deck for his projects and they never cease to amaze me both by their sheer talent and their versatility in Flanagan’s works. This dynamite team has such good chemistry and creates worlds and relationships that feel incredibly real; they are at the top of their game in Life of Chuck. The universe is raw and vast yet the cast makes it feel homey and unafraid.

It would be a travesty if I didn’t mention some of the new, fantastic additions to the Flanaverse as well. Matthew Lillard delivers a gut-punching Flanagan signature monologue. (Lillard was also recently cast in Flanagan’s adaptation of Stephen King’s Carrie so he’s solidly staking claim in the Flanaverse.) Mia Sara’s return to the big screen offers sorrow and grief in a moving and sobering way. Tom Hiddleston is as dreamy as ever as Chuck Krantz, a character you can’t help but connect to and root for. Hiddleston has an amazing dance sequence that took me a bit by surprise and was really channeling Ryan Gosling in La La Land in the best way. He was the perfect charismatic lead in this film and the actors who play both young and teenage Chuck create a remarkable through line that feels authentic to Hiddleston’s portrayal of Chuck. This is particularly important with the film's reverse-order narrative that could potentially lose the audience if not cast or written thoughtfully.

Flanagan has always been a powerful writer to me – however I would like to mention that some audience members around me seemed to disagree. As a writer, Flanagan relies on thoughtful monologues to drive important themes and crucial information home. Some folks around me didn’t appreciate that as an approach; I overheard this while stepping out of the theatre and though I disagree, I thought it would be worthwhile to mention. Monologues are a signature of Flanagan’s and I personally find them to be very true to life – people monologue often, whether they refer to it as a monologue or not. With poor acting and lousy writing, a monologue can be ineffective, boring, or feel lazy, but in all the Flanaverse content I’ve consumed I’ve felt the exact opposite. Life of Chuck was no different – there were masterfully crafted monologues from the master of monologues himself. Flanagan harnesses the dramatic speech in ways we’ve really only seen in playwriting and effortlessly uses the literary device to enhance the work he’s adapting. 

The world-building in Life of Chuck is supported by every aspect of the film; from the writing to the cinematography to the lighting and sound choices, I felt so immersed in this universe. At some points, it’s dark, scary and uncertain and at others it’s light, inviting and loving. Flanagan uses every element at his disposal to both make the world mimic our own while also immersing us in a world we’ve never known – a difficult balance to strike. At the introduction of the film, Eric Vespe of the Kingcast podcast noted that this short story was considered unadaptable by many fans of Stephen King but that with Mike Flanagan at the helm the adaptation just might work. It not only worked but it excelled and is an adaptation that Stephen King has publicly expressed his excitement about. The film veers away from anything we’ve seen from either Flanagan or King and showcases both of their genre-bending talents in their respective fields. 

Life of Chuck is a movie that is full of heart and leaves you feeling warm and hopeful. The budding partnership between King and Flanagan will be talked about by generations of horror enthusiasts. This non-horror flick will likely become a highlight and must-see in the King-Flanagan collaborations that are sure to come. Life of Chuck is the warmest hug during some of the most divisive and uncertain times in this country's recent history and has arrived at the ideal hour. In a messy, complicated existence the film is a helpful reminder that we are alive and we contain multitudes. Thanks Chuck!

If you enjoyed Life of Chuck, you should watch La La Land. I’m not joking, some of the elements and feelings were so similar in the viewing experience that I feel like this is the perfect time to recommend it. (Yes, I know everyone has seen it but there’s always an excuse to watch it again!)

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