Review of Choke (2008) by Martin C — 15 Sep 2009

The perverse paranoia and junked out sensibility that pervades "Fight Club" author Chuck Palahniuk's novel is evident even in the surface story of this perverse, edgy, whack job of a tale.

But cinematically, it feels a little flat, with no peaks or valleys, whispers or screams. It just moves in a flat line, and fails to elicit anything from us, the audience. And though the perversity of Palahniuk's source material is evident in the dark journey of its characters and their ultimate ends, this is in no way reflected in the film's visual treatment or cinematic storytelling devices.

Nor is it edgy or tight in its pace, feeling lackadaisical at best. It's a pity, because the film features three fine performances - by a conflicted, perversely human Sam Rockwell, a sweet natured Brad William Henke and a deluded Anjelica Huston.

This is what truly saves the movie from hitting rock bottom.