Choke

It's hard to be disappointed when your hopes weren't that high to begin with, but when your hopes are low, it's always great to be surprisingly impressed. I found the newest Palahniuk adaptation to be funny and somewhat heartbreaking.

I know what you're going to say, the book is soooo much darker, and the book is soo much better. You must understand that what works in novel form doesn't often translate well onto film. Not all movie adaptations of great books are going to be winners, and most of them need to change details to make it cinematic. Cinema is completely different from literature. They changed a few details from "Fight Club", and look how great that movie is. Hell, I prefer the movie to the book in that instance. So please don't give me your sad little "This movie sucks because the book is better" or "I haven't seen it yet because from the trailer and the synopsis it sounds like crap" comments. I am reviewing this from a strictly cinematic standpoint.

Sam Rockwell did a fantastic job as Victor, a sex addict starved for his mother's love who chokes himself for sympathy cash from those who save him. Anjelica Houston, in my opinion, should get a supporting actress nomination for her portrayal of Ida, Victor's crazy mother who now has alzheimer's and has to live in an institution. Clark Gregg had a challenge ahead of him when he decided to adapt a Palahniuk novel as his directorial debut. I think he did a pretty good job given his budget restraints and knowing that his film would forever be compared to "Fight Club", a movie not many can live up to. If for anything, go see this for the best dumb blonde joke pulled off in a while.

I enjoyed this film and hope to see more R rated comedies, a genre that seems to be picking up steam-thank goodness.