Reviews > Choke

We all know Palahniuk’s Fight Club was amazing, the chore of bringing another of his novels to screen must be daunting. First time filmmaker Clark Gregg, founder of Atlantic Theater Co. & more familiar to the public as ex -husband on “The New Adventures of Old Christine” gives it a go. Although he is no David Fincher Gregg’s adaption is as faithful as possible within its brief running time.
Sam Rockwell’s unlikability makes him the quintessential Victor Mancini who is a sex addict that works as a costumed interpreter in a theme park & chokes in restuarants to pay his ill mother’s hospital bills. His mother (Anjelica Huston) a one time extreme radical, but now doesn’t know who he is. Her doctor comes up with a wild plan to save her life that involves making stem cells with Victor, wouldn’t you know, he suddenly can’t rise to the occasion. It captures a lot of the novels bizarre themes such as Rockwell’s early introduction to porn. His painfully misadventures with some errant anal beads. However the novels more edgier tones may have been lightened, but Choke is a twisted tale of redemption a billboard ad for twleve stepping if there ever was one. The acting is decent & Sam Rockwell puts on a convincing performance as a very disturbed Victor Mancini.

Neal
Film Journalist