Text © Richard Gary / Indie Horror Films, 2020
Images from the Internet
Choke
Directed by Gregory Hatanaka
CineRidge Entertainment; Cinema Epoch
73 minutes, 2020
Choking is a fetish I
have never understood, but like many other fetishes in films like Fetish
Dolls Die Laughing (2012) that cover tickling, bondage, and other sexual sports,
they have been creeping into an ever more common sub-genre in the indie scene. Just
ask David Carradine (what, too soon?).
Most fetish-related
films, if they aren’t comedies, are finger-on-the-side-of-nose to those who
enjoy the topic, but Choke takes itself very seriously while drowning in
artiness. The art is another fetish – albeit a more stylistic one – that
sometimes disguises itself in the ends justifying the means. In other words,
while it’s trying to be special, sometimes it can – err – choke on its
own petard (yes, I’m mixing metaphors, to be artistic, of course).
Shane Ryan |
Brandon (Shane Ryan,
who directed 2012’s My Name is ‘A’ By Anonymous, reviewed HERE) is a possible serial killer who disposes of his (female only) victims by, well,
you know. Or does he? Is it real, or is he another Patrick Bateman (American
Psycho)?
The film follows his
relationship with Jeanie (Sarah Brine; back in the day, this role may have been
played by Lauren Ambrose), a 17 year old he meets on a train; jailbait, anyone?
Their relationship is interspersed with scenes of his partaking of his life in
general (such as visits with his ailing mom) and his hobby. Which parts are
real and which are in his imagination are the questions of the day. Perhaps he’s
fixating on a past victim, Payton, and creating this fantasy life with her?
Meanwhile, policeman
Robert (British actor Scott Butler), who is down and out with both his girlfriend
(Bella Cruz) and a prostitute (Jennifer Field), is also having a sado-sexual relationship
with his psychologist, Stephanie (scream queen Lisa London), in which he is
the M response to her S. But he’s just been given a case of someone found
strangled. Wanna guess? The story flips back and forth between the lives of
these two twisted men, Brandon and Robert, each significantly damaged in their
own way.
Sarah Brine |
Scott Butler |
Though the film is
relatively short, it feels too padded by throwing montages left and right, as
people wander over music (good soundtrack, mostly, though). I’m sure they were
trying to show developing relationships, but the point was made, and then made,
and then made, all the while the emphasis was on style and the story seems to
have been lost in the shuffle toward making “art.”
Lisa London |
The film isn’t a
failure, though if one is looking for a good fetish film or murder spree (both
of which are present), it’s like looking through a fog. I see this film as an
exercise by the director, to test his stylistic wings in the cinema art. He has been quite prolific, but in this case, I mean, working out some kinks.
Meanwhile, now I have the desire to listen to Detroit-based punk band, Choking Susan.
Meanwhile, now I have the desire to listen to Detroit-based punk band, Choking Susan.
Thanks for the review and appreciate mentions - but my name is LISA London lol NOT Laura... can we fix please? xxoo
ReplyDelete