Choke

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Now here's a film that will polarise viewers and prompt heated discussions as you exit the cinema. Choke is based on the novel by Fight Club author Chuck Palahniuk, whose distinctive writing style is this time filtered through the lens of writer/director Clark Gregg (also appearing in a supporting role). Sam Rockwell is Victor, a con-artist, sex addict and colonial theme park worker who pays his mothers hospital bills by pretending to choke in restaurants, having his life saved by wealthy patrons who then send him money when he tells them he needs further operations. Victor has serious mommy issues; years of substance abuse now has her suffering from dementia, which makes it difficult for him to find out who his father is, as his mother rarely recognises him. Having never read the book, I had no preconceived notions watching this - yet somehow, I still managed to love it. This is a grubby, explicit, often distasteful film, that will either crack you up and engage you fully, or leave you scratching your head wondering what the point was. Like Fight Club, a narration is prominent throughout, as Victor explains (often through flashbacks), just how messed-up his childhood was, which gives us an insight into his current emotionally-stunted predicament. He can't share intimacy with any woman he has feelings for, which poses a problem when he meets the lovely Paige Marshall (Kelly McDonald). Everything, even deep-rooted psychological issues, are dealt with offbeat humour superbly by Gregg, who disregards the obvious frantic execution for a more subtle, engrossing style that better suits his cast. He's not David Fincher, nor does he try to be; this is an altogether different production, smaller in scale and richer in character than Fincher's subversive classics. But Palahniuk's touch is evident throughout, from the beautifully messed-up characters prone to moments of supreme clarity, to the surreal, yet somehow authentic situations they find themselves in. Sam Rockwell has been on the cusp of superstardom for some time, and here, he gives a charismatic, wonderfully balanced turn. If there was any justice in the world, he'd be top of every director's casting list. McDonald, too, adds another fine performance to her increasingly impressive CV. There'll certainly be no sitting on the fence with this one - but for most, this will surely amuse, shock and entertain in equal measure.