Review: Choke
Nov 21 2008 By The Journal
THE first step to conquering any addiction is admitting the problem. Only then can you address the causes.
Adapted from the nihilistic novel by Chuck Palahniuk, this is a black comedy about a 30-something sex addict who happily acknowledges his yearnings and willingly attends rehabilitation meetings because they let him prey on fellow sufferers.
Victor Mancini (Sam Rockwell) is a guide at a colonial village tourist attraction, where with best friend Denny (Brad William Henke) he recreates scenes of 18th Century life.
When he’s not infuriating his boss or propositioning other addicts, Victor visits his demented mother Isa (Anjelica Huston) in hospital.
In the process, he develops a crush on a sexy medic but, when mutual admiration turns to lust, he finds for the first time in his life he cannot rise to the occasion.
Gradually he accepts he must reconcile himself with his shady past.
Choke is a quixotic slice of life which retains the anarchic spirit of the book. As the characters stumble from one disaster to the next, a sly narrative twist is well concealed.
