While I enjoy the lighter side of Stephen King (if there actually is one), “The Life of Chuck” is one work I never got around to reading. So you could imagine my excitement as I took my seat to watch the film with the cast and crew at the world premiere at TIFF 2024. And while most people – both critics and general audiences alike – were over the moon about it and even granted it the TIFF Audience Award, I found myself leaving the theater a bit more measured. I’ve had almost a year to sit with the film, and mull over my feelings about it, and while I may have come around on its allure and emotionally charged celebration of life, I’m still not completely won over. In all fairness, this is probably a me problem rather than an indictment of the film itself, because what “Life of Chuck” gets right is exactly what we need right now in these troubled times. It is a beautiful experience filled with dance and memories and hope and love and life, all themes that feel lost in a sea of doomscrolling and maybe why it’s hit so hard for many people.
Written and directed by Mike Flanagan and based off the Stephen King short story of the same name, “The Life of Chuck” does exactly what the title suggestions. It tells the story of Chuck (Tom Hiddleston) at different stages of his life in reverse order; beginning at the end of his life and working back to his childhood experiences that shaped into the man he eventually became. It is told through a collection if impactful memories, experiences and people who all had a profound effect on Chuck and his life, and celebrates those moments good and bad to encompass the entirety of someone who lived to the fullest. It also stars Mark Hamill, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jacob Tremblay, Karen Gillan, Matthew Lillard, Molly Quinn, Carla Gugino, Harvey Guillén, David Dastmalchian, Carl Lumbly, Benjamin Pajak, and Nick Offerman.
My initial thoughts on “Life of Chuck” immediately after leaving the theater are as follows: it doesn’t work as a film adaptation, wearing its novella restrictions on its sleeve that don’t blend the humor and melancholy in ways that make the film feel whole. It’s pragmatism juxtaposed against its reflections on existence and experience rarely coexist harmoniously and the messaging gets a little heavy handed. And yet, Flanagan’s tenderness and life-affirming odyssey proves that one, he is capable of much more than psychological horror, and two, imbues a joyous sense of hope and assuredness that almost makes up for its adaptive flaws. I left with the feeling that while yes, everything does suck, when we reflect on the memories and people we’ve encountered throughout our lives whose impacts may be great or small or nothing at all, even for the briefest of moments, life is in fact worth living sometimes.
Upon reflection and prior to a second watch, I think I still (mostly) agree with my younger self. Flanagan’s adaption at times feels like an after school special, more built for an Amazon Original than a theatrical awards contender. Flanagan opts to stay within the novella framework of King’s original story, and I’m undecided as to whether or not “The Life of Chuck” is helped or hindered by this choice. If you had asked me back in September of 2024, I’d probably say that it is a hinderance, the defined 3 acts in reverse order in the life of the titular character too parsed out to feel cohesive. But as time has passed and I can’t stop thinking about the individual parts I loved.
The film takes on a new, more affecting turn that festers into an infectious injection of joy and living. Hiddleston as Chuck has probably one of the greatest cinematic moments of the year, one that will move your soul and dance its way into your heart. Dancing is big part of the movie, something that is integral to Chuck himself and those experiences born from memories that shape him as a child, a teenager, an adult and even a man at the end of his life.
There’s sincerity, and for all the heavy handedness in “Life of Chuck,” the earnestness of its core helps overlook its more cheesy execution. Its vibrant and laid bare, hiding nothing about its intentions and standing on ideals that feel lost in the darkness that surround us right now. It’s a beaming light of goodness that is sure to stir in you the best parts of yourself and remind you that it’s ok to dream and its ok to live life to the fullest no matter what it throws at you. The film is a lot of things, and not all of them work together, but its rousing moments of reflection and contemplations about the universe and our small place in the larger world are hard to not fall in love with. Flannigan grants many of his cast with beautiful monologues that wax poetic about the meaning of life. Mathew Lillard, Mark Hamill, even Chiwetel Ejiofor all have their moment to shine, and it’s always a welcomed to surprise to see Mia Sara (“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Legend“), even I had no idea it was her until later.
I may have some reservations that hold me back from touting it as a masterpiece, but one thing is for sure: “The Life of Chuck” is an undeniable life affirming experience that celebrates living and wraps you in a warm, comforting blanket of hope. Flannigan taps into the heart and soul of King’s reflective work, and delivers a film bursting with emotion and resonance.
This movie is exactly what we need right now, and I think I’m coming around to the idea that this just might be the most wonderful film of the year. I’m even giving it an extra half star from my initial review.
Dance your heart out, Chuck. We contain multitudes, indeed.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
“The Life of Chuck” is in select theaters June 6th and wide release June 13th. You can watch the trailer below.
