Okay, try to follow me for a second. Every time someone writes about Chuck Palahniuk’s novel Choke, they have to explain what it’s about, and unfortunately it doesn’t make any sense. I mean, the book does. The book makes so much sense it’s crazy. It’s just tough to explain, that’s all. I mean, try to explain Palahniuk’s magnum opus, Fight Club. Go ahead! I’m waiting.

Anyway, Choke.

Victor Mancini is the main character. He is a self-diagnosed sex addict, although I’d be more tempted to call him an addict, full stop. He just engages in crazy behaviors because it keeps him distracted from the horrors of life. He’s not addicted to anything in particular, except maybe being an addict.

Victor is also a con artist. He goes to restaurants in the evening and pretends to choke on his food. When some good Samaritan saves him, Victor makes sure to exchange contact information. You know, so he can send them a Christmas card. But when he sends the card, he makes sure to mention how badly his ailing mother is doing in the hospital and how he’s having so much trouble making ends meet. 99% of the time, the good Samaritan feels responsible for the life they have saved, and sends as much as they can. Thing is, the stuff about his mother? It’s all true.

Victor is also a “historical interpreter.” He works at a colonial reenactment town run by a very twisted individual, played by director Clark Gregg. His job is terrible, but he still needs to pay his mother’s hospital bills.

Along with his lovable but just-as-screwed-up friend Denny, Victor is just trying to make it through the day. But when his mother lets slip that there might be a fantastic secret to Victor’s beginnings, he becomes determined to find out his father’s identity.

That’s pretty much it. It takes a little while to explain, but it’s worth it, because you need to see this movie. Read the book if you can, but if you can’t or won’t, then see the movie. I didn’t used to be so confident, until I saw this new red band trailer.

Unfortunately, Fox Searchlight has opted to use the flawed “DMV database” method of age verification. It doesn’t work half the time, but I am not going to give you a workaround, because if you are determined to see it, I’m sure you will find a way. (Here’s a hint. All you need is a name, a DOB, and a zip code. It’s supposed to be yours, but if you’re mysteriously not in the database, well…my lawyers have advised me to stop there.) Other sites have embedded the trailer, but they’re likely to be asked to remove it soon.

Let me reiterate that this is a RED BAND TRAILER. Some red band trailers are pretty tame, but this is not one of them - it definitely contains R-rated material, and is not safe for work unless you work at one of those hip places where “casual Friday” is secret code for “topless.”

I love this trailer. It captures the tone of the book and all of the actors are spot-on in their performances. I can’t wait for this one, and I think you’ll love it too.

Tags: trivia, entertainment, recreation

Popularity: 3% [?]

Categories: Movie stories //