Based on a Stephen King short story, The Life of Chuck follows Charles Krantz as he experiences 39 years of life and death. It is told in reverse, so the third act is the beginning and the first act is the end. Because of this, talking about it without spoilers is difficult, so if you want to go into the movie blind then stop reading.
It begins with a teacher (Chiwetel Ejiofor) teaching Walt Whitman to middle school kids during a time when the world is literally falling apart. California is falling into the ocean. The internet keeps failing, and eventually cell phones do too. Through all of this, one common thread. Billboards and commercials celebrating the apparent retirement of Charles Krantz after 39 years of service. The teacher reunites with his ex-wife (Karen Gillan) as the world ends. But the world ending is actually Chuck dying of cancer.
We enter act two where Chuck, six months before his death, happens upon a drummer making music on a promenade. He begins dancing and a crowd gathers, including Janice (Annalise Basso) who dances with him. The scene is one of pure joy even as Chuck notices the pain in his head. When asked why he started dancing he does not have an answer, but the movie does.
The first act, told last, is Chuck’s childhood during which he learns what Walt Whitman meant when he spoke of multitudes in his poetry. He learns that he has a love for dancing, thanks to his grandmother (Mia Sara) but his grandfather (Mark Hamil) puts it into his head that math is more important. His parents and unborn sister died in a car wreck so he lives with the grandparents.
In true Stephen King fashion, there is always a supernatural element. Here, it is in a locked up room in the house that shows whoever enters how people will die. The grandfather sees this many times, and stops Chuck before he is able to fully understand what the room is. When the grandfather dies, however, Chuck enters and sees his own death. And this is what sent him on his journey of living life to its fullest, like dancing in the street.
At this point, all I need to know about a Mike Flanagan project is that he is involved and I’ll show up. The man just keeps getting better at his filmmaking craft. Just give him all the Stephen King projects going forward. The project will be in good hands when Flanagan is heading it. Many of the actors from his previous projects appear in this one, so that was great to see as well.
Many of the characters in the beginning of the film are links to Chuck’s past. Faces he remembers at certain moments. Those connections are what make this film so enjoyable. Small moments that make for big memories later, and isn’t that what life is truly about?
Each act is like a short film, each working wonderfully on their own. Together they make for a joyful watch even though the subject matter is someone dying. An impressive thing to do – to make a film so full of loss and grief and somehow leave the viewer with a smile on their face. Just goes to show how great of at storytelling both Stephen King and Mike Flanagan are.
4.5 out of 5 stars. Easily one of my favorites this year.
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Becky Tyler Art and Photography 
Based on a Stephen King short story, The Life of Chuck follows Charles Krantz as he experiences 39 years of life and death. It is told in reverse, so the third act is the beginning and the first act is the end. Because of this, talking about it without spoilers is difficult, so if you want to go into the movie blind then stop reading.
It begins with a teacher (Chiwetel Ejiofor) teaching Walt Whitman to middle school kids during a time when the world is literally falling apart. California is falling into the ocean. The internet keeps failing, and eventually cell phones do too. Through all of this, one common thread. Billboards and commercials celebrating the apparent retirement of Charles Krantz after 39 years of service. The teacher reunites with his ex-wife (Karen Gillan) as the world ends. But the world ending is actually Chuck dying of cancer.
We enter act two where Chuck, six months before his death, happens upon a drummer making music on a promenade. He begins dancing and a crowd gathers, including Janice (Annalise Basso) who dances with him. The scene is one of pure joy even as Chuck notices the pain in his head. When asked why he started dancing he does not have an answer, but the movie does.
The first act, told last, is Chuck’s childhood during which he learns what Walt Whitman meant when he spoke of multitudes in his poetry. He learns that he has a love for dancing, thanks to his grandmother (Mia Sara) but his grandfather (Mark Hamil) puts it into his head that math is more important. His parents and unborn sister died in a car wreck so he lives with the grandparents.
In true Stephen King fashion, there is always a supernatural element. Here, it is in a locked up room in the house that shows whoever enters how people will die. The grandfather sees this many times, and stops Chuck before he is able to fully understand what the room is. When the grandfather dies, however, Chuck enters and sees his own death. And this is what sent him on his journey of living life to its fullest, like dancing in the street.
At this point, all I need to know about a Mike Flanagan project is that he is involved and I’ll show up. The man just keeps getting better at his filmmaking craft. Just give him all the Stephen King projects going forward. The project will be in good hands when Flanagan is heading it. Many of the actors from his previous projects appear in this one, so that was great to see as well.
Many of the characters in the beginning of the film are links to Chuck’s past. Faces he remembers at certain moments. Those connections are what make this film so enjoyable. Small moments that make for big memories later, and isn’t that what life is truly about?
Each act is like a short film, each working wonderfully on their own. Together they make for a joyful watch even though the subject matter is someone dying. An impressive thing to do – to make a film so full of loss and grief and somehow leave the viewer with a smile on their face. Just goes to show how great of at storytelling both Stephen King and Mike Flanagan are.
4.5 out of 5 stars. Easily one of my favorites this year.
Discover more from Becky Tyler Art and Photography
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
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