Choke (2008)

dir. Clark Gregg
writ. Clark Gregg, based on book by Chuck Palahniuk
feat. Sam Rockwell, Brad William Henke, Clark Gregg, Anjelica Huston, Kelly Macdonald

Choke may illustrate what happens when one who loves a book decides to take that story and adapt it himself into a film and serve as director. There are plenty of funny moments in the movie, but it never comes to any fruition. I've admittedly not read the source material, so I can't judge if the lack of a cohesive narrative comes from Palahniuk or Gregg, but this chaotic rambling undercuts any depth that the story or characters might offer over the course of the film.

Rockwell (again too good for the material) plays Victor believably, easing into a reprehensible yet likable character with almost unsettling ease. Other than Anjelica Huston who seems to stretch to play a ragged alzheimer's afflicted mother to Victor, all the actors perform well though suffer for the jumps in tone and story.

One is left wondering if there is a three hour version out there that was cut down to reasonable length by picking the most entertaining moments over those that would tell a story. While the laughs are hearty and plentiful, they don't lend enough to really chew on.