THE LIFE OF CHUCK – A Crowd Pleaser at TIFF
The Life of Chuck was the audience award winner at the Toronto International Film Festival, and I can’t say I’m surprised. I was fortunate to attend the world premiere, and the audience’s reaction was clear. There were plenty of laughs, some sniffles, and even a mid-film round of applause, which doesn’t happen often. The runner-ups for this award were Amelia Perez and Sha Baker’s Anora, both of which I also anticipated being popular with audiences.
Winning this award often signals future success in awards season, with past winners like Nomadland, Green Book, and Slumdog Millionaire going on to win Best Picture at the Oscars. Generally, audience award winners are accessible and not particularly divisive, which often means they’re not the most critically acclaimed films but also don’t attract many “haters.” The Life of Chuck fits that description well.
Directed by Mike Flanagan, this film is a departure from his usual horror genre, known for films like Hush and Doctor Sleep, as well as The Haunting TV series. Instead, The Life of Chuck is a character drama with sci-fi elements, though it’s much more grounded in the human experience. It’s based on Stephen King‘s short story If It Bleeds, and King himself was in the audience. Even Mark Hamill, who stars in the film, shared how surreal it was to be seated next to the legendary author.
Is The Life of Chuck a brilliant film? Not exactly. But it is an enjoyable and emotionally resonant one, which is why it worked so well for many. The film is a series of interconnected stories told in reverse, showing the life—and ultimately the death—of Chuck, played by Tom Hiddleston, who received a warm reception both on the red carpet and during the film. Hiddleston’s seven-minute-long dance sequence is a standout moment, earning a rousing round of applause from the audience mid-film.
While the film has its strengths, it also has its limitations. The dialogue is often on-the-nose and contrived, with characters directly spelling out the film’s themes, which I found detracted from its emotional impact. The beats also become a bit predictable after the first act when the narrative’s direction becomes clearer.
The supporting cast is solid, with Chela Geer giving a brilliant performance, Mark Hamill continuing to charm as always, and strong performances from Jacob Tremblay (playing a younger version of Chuck) and Karen Gillan. As of this review, The Life of Chuck is still seeking distribution, but given its TIFF success, it’s likely just a matter of finding the right partner for its release, especially with awards season potential on the horizon.
In the end, The Life of Chuck is a crowd-pleaser. It will make you laugh, it might make you cry, and although the emotional resonance is slightly dampened by its dialogue, it’s still a solid film. It’s a reflection on life, living in the moment, and holding close the people who matter most. Definitely worth a watch.
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