For me, it is beyond comprehension that people find this film humorous, however, CHUCK&BUCK does make a most peculiar and striking impression. Mike White, the writer/star, is to be applauded for confronting such an unusual subject. I guess you could say that the film observes an innocuous childhood friendship which has curdled under the pressure of time and testosterone. White's facial mannerisms are an unquestionable mimicry of male preadolescence, and extremely disconcerting on the face of an almost thirty year old male. Just his physical presence alone is enough to make one cringe. The wardrobe department did an outstanding job locating clothing to create the look of a man who, for all intents and purposes, is eleven years old. Much of the set and production design has been contrived to reinforce the idea of Buck's pathological arrested development. As the film continues, and it seems that there can be no possible resolution, a foreshadowing of violence or menace is introduced. This is largely a red herring since, in a way, Buck finds a possible chance for fulfillment with a character who is also at a challenged state of development. However, in no way can this be seen as a 'Happy' state of affairs since one comes away from the film with an overall sense of creepiness and unease. CHUCK&BUCK demonstrates that childhood is a singular human experience and can only happen once. The movie is a penetrating look at the misinterpretation of normal psycho- sexual development, and is truly a distinctive cinematic experience.
Review of Chuck & Buck
