The Life of Chuck, directed by Mike Flanagan and based on Stephen King’s short story, promises to be a poignant exploration of mortality and human connection. However, upon closer examination, the film reveals itself to be emotionally hollow, lacking in meaningful connections between its protagonist’s imagined world and reality.
The movie opens with Marty Anderson (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a grieving man, remembering Chuck Krantz (Tom Hiddleston) as he nears death. As Marty recounts his life, the film takes us on a journey through Chuck’s memories, showcasing a vibrant and energetic individual who was full of life. The scenes are skillfully staged and edited, but ultimately feel disconnected from the rest of the narrative.
The problem lies in the universe that Chuck creates in his mind, which fails to resonate with reality. His imagined world is populated by random characters, including teachers, a funeral director, and a little girl he met once, who vanish into nothingness when he dies. This solipsistic approach feels like a selfish expression of Chuck’s existence, implying that the world ends when we die.
While The Life of Chuck does elicit tears from its audience, it’s hard to ignore the sense of emptiness that pervades the film. Despite its efforts to create a sense of cosmic significance through the invocation of Whitman and Sagan, the movie ultimately falls flat as a metaphor for living a meaningful life. With a narrative that feels more like a collection of disconnected scenes than a cohesive exploration of human connection, The Life of Chuck is a film that fails to leave a lasting impression.
Source: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-life-of-chuck-review-tom-hiddleston-stephen-king