Dan's Papers - October 3, 2008

Simply put, Choke is like a gun: there are reasons the world could need one, but in the wrong hands it can lead to terrible things. A movie like this belongs to that logic, as, if you view Choke for what it is, you realize you're getting an honest look inside the head of a selfish man whose darkened life ruthlessly casts a shadow over all around him, but only because he's simply making his way as he knows. However, just as we saw with the film Fight Club (both of these films were adapted from works by the same author), there are some viewers who apparently see this material as hilarious, because for them it's fulfilling, or even inspirational, stoking horrible embers from within.

The lurid Victor Mancini (actor Sam Rockwell) lives a life where the future is of minor importance. Living in the now, Vic is a sex addict who has decided that the ultimate and closing moments of personal passion with someone is the only time in his existence where he can find absolute peace - so naturally, he's tomcatting 24-7. Mancini does attend Sex Addicts Anonymous meetings, but only because it's an easy way to meet easy women. Sounds terrible, no? This is not a man you'd like if you knew what he was all about, but inside the film, the people around him are either unaware or too swept up in his devil-may-care personality to care.

It turns out Victor works his two (hmm) jobs to raise money to care for his mother - an important indication that this man may possibly have a shot at salvation. Sadly, Mama Ida (Anjelica Huston) is in quick decline, as her mental faculties have been damaged due to a lifetime of drugs, and it's with her we start to see the bigger picture of Vic. Through flashbacks, we learn how she often abandoned her son, how she virtually instructed her child in both the arts of self and addiction, and soon we start realizing that this man - who wrongs so many people - is merely a prosperous seed that sprouted a mighty weed growing in a toxic garden. Nonetheless, Victor works hard to keep her cared for...in the way only he knows how.

At night, Mancini finds restaurants where he assumes wealthy people dine. He then (appropriately) gorges himself to the point of induced asphyxiation - all part of the plan. Soon enough, some rich person, who Victor hopes has never had a chance to make a vital difference in life, will be inspired to perform the Heimlich Maneuver and: a) save his life b) score him a free meal and c) give him a chance to make a pseudo-personal connection with a sap with dough who he can hit up for donations later...and now you hate him again, but, hey, that's what this movie is all about.

Rockwell always seems to shine in any role, and once again his likeability allows the filmgoer to cut him several mental breaks, much akin to his role as Gong Show host Chuck Barris in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. He plays an oversexed and self-absorbed gent there too, and just as he did in Confessions, we see him in various states of sexual activity, where we know he is betraying a confidence, yet you actually like him. Yet, in this film he pushes even harder than ever to make you mad at yourself for looking forward to see what soulless act he'll pull off next. And this is the moment where the perspective divides, as most of the audience gets that this is a bad man. We know where it comes from and snicker at his degrading behavior; we also know he's wrong and root for his epiphany. But keep in mind this film is based on the book from author Chuck Palahniuk - a scribe whose detractors consider him an overt nihilist who purposefully writes about topics that attracts readers by guaranteeing perverse happenings.

Sadly, a Google search on Choke reveals there are those dim few who watch this movie and actually adulate Victor Mancini, thinking he's not flawed, but a manly genius who is unfettered by the polite rules of society. It's those who wish deep down that they were able to roll over souls like Victor that can cause moviemakers to think twice about creating such earthly and ugly art, fearing they might inspire bad behavior and/or lawsuits. For the people who express any desire to be like the anti-hero of Choke, drop your Goobers and nachos and seek therapy ASAP.

Ian Stark is a frequent TV and radio commentator on the film industry, and consults with private organizations on their collections. He is widely published on film and other arts/culture topics.