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An independent dramedy adapted from Chuck Palahniuk's novel of the same name, Choke offers an undeniably quirky ride through a world of kinked out sex addicts, extortionist nuns and historic recreations of colonial America. The story centers around Victor Mancini (Sam Rockwell), an underachieving sex addict working as an actor in a colonial theme park. Victor's dysfunctional relationship with his mother sets the backdrop for most of the film through a series of flashbacks to his childhood and present-day difficulties with her deteriorating mental condition. As a means of supporting the financial burden of his mother's care, Victor has taken on the peculiar habit of befriending dining patrons; a feat accomplished by purposefully choking himself on his meal and prompting them to 'heroically' come to his rescue. His con is complete when he contacts them throughout the year, where his tales of financial woe rebirth feelings of benevolence in his one-time saviors, who generously offer means of support. Victor's tenuous relationship with his mother takes on a new twist when he discovers his mother's tale of Victor's paternity may not be entirely accurate. The search for his father's true identity consumes Victor, but is complicated by his mother's lack of clarity and a budding relationship with her caregiver, Paige Marshall (Kelly Macdonald).

Inevitably, this film will draw two comparisons; the novel itself, and the other film adaptation from a Palahniuk work, Fight Club.

The film is a noble attempt by first time actor-turned-director/screenwriter Clark Gregg to address the litany of interesting dynamics (sex addiction, mental health, childhood trauma, financial stability, 12-step programs) with the same scope of the novel. The plot spins in many different directions which generally connect well, if at times leaving the story with bit of a frantic feel. Certain narrative choices in the film differ dramatically from the novel; Victor's relationship with his mother is slowly revealed throughout the film while it is immediately apparent in the novel and a major resolution involving Victor's choking scam and his friend Denny's attempt to overcome his sexual addiction is excluded entirely in the film. Overall these are intelligent decisions by Gregg, adding a level of tension to the film and keeping it to a comfortable 89 minute runtime. Gregg attempts to compensate for the internal perspective of the novel with a liberal use of voice over, but is unable to execute with the same swagger of similar tactics displayed in Fight Club.

Perhaps it's unfair to compare a debut piece with a masterwork from David Fincher (Se7en, Zodiac, The Game), but compared to Fight Club, Gregg's inexperience is evident. Choke never quite sets a clear palate, disappointing given the ample opportunity to capitalize on it's seedy and quirky nature. The film does prominently feature the new In Rainbows album from Radiohead however, a dead-on choice that amplifies the emotion in the story. While there are definite laugh out loud moments, most of the comedy gears toward the scatological relying on awkward sexual situations (most notably an unfortunate mishap involving a string of anal beads) rather than well crafted gags or witty repartee.

The performances are solid and kudos are in order to Gregg for directing a varied cast. Rockwell nails the conflicted, tacitly hostile yet still lovably scruffy demeanor of Victor. Anjelica Huston who plays Ida, Victor's mother, embodies the ubiquitous eccentric aunt archetype perfectly but punches it up to just the right amount of crazy. She plays both the flashback and present day sequences with an experienced hand, adding a frenzied yet more lucid layer to the younger Ida, creating a very believable transition between the two periods. Gregg casts himself in the film as Lord High Charlie, an uptight busybody who "rules" colonial-land with a heavy hand and happens to be one of the funniest characters in the film. If there is a weak spot in the cast it's Macdonald. She seems to try and bring an introverted angle to the Marshall character, but it comes across as somewhat hollow.

When all is said and done, Choke is an enjoyable, albeit twisted, romp birthed from the work of one of America's freshest and uniquely talented novelists. Apparently, Fox Searchlight agrees as they picked the film up for distribution for a cool $5 million.

Editor's Note: To view Zoom-In's On the Circuit interview with Choke Director Clark Gregg and author Chuck Palahniuk, click here.