SEX!!!! Now that I have your attention, the topic at hand is Chuck Palahniuk. More precisely, it is on his book titled “Choke” and the film adaptation of the same name.
The one word opening sentence does tie into the article. The book and film follow some of the more interesting addicts in our global society, sex addicts. Much in the same vein as Palahniuk’s hit novel “Fight Club,” “Choke” casts an inquisitive eye on our addict-riddled world. Where “Fight Club” focused on some of the darker, more brutal and anarchic aspects of society’s misfits, “Choke” takes a more satiric approach to some of the more perverse misfits in the world.
That being said, Palahniuk’s work lends itself perfectly to film, so long as the circumstances of good film making come together. “Fight Club” is an example of Palahniuk going to the movies effectively. Sadly, despite the fact that the circumstances were met to make “Choke” a great movie, it just fell flat. Don’t get me wrong; it isn’t a bad movie. It’s just one that could’ve been so much better. There’s so much promise in the perversity of the novel that just didn’t translate to film, possibly because things were lessened for the sake of the censors.
Honestly, this film would’ve made a better art-house film because that form does lower any and all censorship standards. Art-house films with topics like this make you tend to think of pornography more often than not and, to be blunt, that’s what this Palahniuk work is. It’s porn with an actual story. Sure, Palahniuk does go a bit far in his description, but for those who are used to his writing style, it’s forgivable. Where “Fight Club” was unleashing our angry side, “Choke” is unleashing the perverted side of, well, everyone with a pulse.
One of the biggest saving graces of “Choke” on DVD is the special features. They give a lot of insight on the general topic of the story. They’re also a bit touch-and-go on the “making of” process, but what is given is worthwhile.
It is a worthwhile buy, if only for the blunt humor directed toward sexuality that the movie and its special features contains; however, if you are wary of jumping in and buying or renting the film, you can find the book in a bookstore or a library.