Choke 2008
Made by
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Plot Summary
Victor Mancini, played by Sam Rockwell, is a sex addict working as a reenactor of life in Colonial America. He partners with his best friend, Denny, portrayed by Brad William Henke, who is also a reformed sex addict. In order to financially support his mother, who is currently hospitalized and under the care of Anjelica Huston, Victor resorts to a rather unorthodox method: he deliberately chokes in restaurants to elicit sympathy and monetary donations from those who come to his aid.
While visiting his mother one day, Victor encounters Paige Marshall, played by Kelly Macdonald, who informs him that his mother’s condition is deteriorating. She offers a glimmer of hope through an experimental stem cell procedure, which necessitates harvesting cells from the umbilical cord of a newborn that shares Victor’s genetic material. Paige persuades him to sleep with her in order to conceive a child to save his mother.
Haunted by the absence of his father and eager to uncover the truth about his lineage, Victor seeks answers from his mother. However, each visit proves frustrating, as she fails to recognize him. In a twist of fate, he enlists Denny to pose as him and glean information from her. Denny reveals that Victor’s mother maintained a diary, which Victor discovers, albeit written in Italian. Thankful for Paige’s help, Victor is relieved to learn that she can read the language and agrees to translate it for him.
Attempts at intimacy with Paige are met with frustration, as Victor finds himself unable to maintain an erection. Confiding in Denny leads him to realize he has deeper feelings for Paige. In an unexpected revelation, Paige shares a bizarre story about Victor’s mother potentially fleeing Italy after stealing Jesus’ foreskin, proposing that he was conceived using those very cells, making him the second coming. Torn between disbelief and belief, Victor ultimately succumbs to the idea.
The course of events takes a tragic turn when, after finally being recognized by his mother, she confesses to having stolen him as a baby, leaving him in the dark about his true lineage. Tragedy strikes as Victor inadvertently chokes his mother while offering her chocolate pudding, leading to her death.
In a shocking twist, as Paige attempts to resuscitate Victor’s mother, a hidden band around his mother’s wrist reveals that she is not a doctor, but rather a hospital patient herself. Paige confesses she has been in a catatonic state for years but has come to love Victor through the stories shared by his mother. Although she wore a white coat to calm herself, as a former medical student, her true role becomes clear when she decides to check herself out of the hospital without saying goodbye to Victor.
Following his mother’s funeral, Victor finds himself on a plane, only to have the bathroom door swing open, revealing Paige stepping in to join him.
Timeline
Victor's Unorthodox Fundraising
Victor Mancini, a sex addict and Colonial America reenactor, devises a bizarre scheme to support his hospitalized mother. He deliberately chokes in restaurants to garner sympathy and solicit monetary help from patrons who rush to his aid.
Visit to the Hospital
During a hospital visit, Victor learns from Paige Marshall, a kind nurse, that his mother's health is rapidly declining. She presents him with a chance for hope through an experimental stem cell procedure that requires his genetic material.
The Proposition
Paige suggests that Victor sleep with her to conceive a child that can provide the necessary stem cells. Torn by the situation and his desperate desire to save his mother, Victor considers the implications of this outrageous proposal.
Search for Answers
Haunted by questions about his past, Victor seeks enlightenment from his mother, but every visit leaves him frustrated as she fails to recognize him. This leads him to enlist the help of his friend Denny, who pretends to be Victor to gather information.
Discovery of the Diary
Denny unearths a significant detail about Victor's mother's past: she maintained a diary that could hold the key to his lineage. Victor discovers the diary is written in Italian and feels hopeless until he learns that Paige can read it and offers to translate.
Intimacy Issues
Victor attempts to become intimate with Paige, yet he struggles to perform, leading to insecurities about his feelings. After confiding in Denny, he realizes his deeper affection for Paige, complicating their relationship further.
Bizarre Family Revelation
In a surprising twist, Paige confesses a strange story from Victor's mother's past, suggesting that he was conceived using cells from a bizarre historical incident involving Jesus. This leaves Victor in disbelief but intrigued by the implications.
Tragic Reunion
After a long and arduous journey of discovery, Victor finally gains recognition from his mother. In a moment of confession, she admits to having stolen him as a baby, darkening his understanding of his own identity.
A Fatal Incident
In a tragic turn of events, Victor accidentally chokes his mother while trying to feed her chocolate pudding, leading to her untimely death. This shocking incident leaves him reeling with guilt and sorrow over their complicated relationship.
Paige's Shocking Truth
While attempting to resuscitate Victor’s mother, Paige's secret is revealed: she has been a patient in a catatonic state for years. Despite wearing a doctor's coat, her true identity as a former medical student is dramatically unveiled.
Choosing to Leave
After revealing her connection to Victor through stories shared by his mother, Paige decides to check herself out of the hospital. This departure leaves Victor bewildered and heartbroken as he processes the upheaval in his life.
Funeral and Farewell
Victor attends his mother's funeral, struggling to find closure after the tumultuous events. The weight of loss and unresolved feelings hangs heavily over him as he reflects on their convoluted relationship.
Unexpected Reunion
As Victor boards a plane in the aftermath of the funeral, he experiences an unexpected turn of fate. The bathroom door swings open, revealing Paige stepping in, leaving him with a flurry of emotions and unanswered questions.
Characters
Victor Mancini (Sam Rockwell)
Victor is a complex character, wrestling with his addiction and the existential weight of his family history. His reckless behavior stems from a deep-seated fear of abandonment, influencing his interactions with others, including his romantic interest in Paige. Victor embodies a tragicomic hero, caught between yearning for connection and floundering in self-destructive habits.
Paige Marshall (Kelly Macdonald)
Paige emerges as a multifaceted character, initially presenting herself as a savior in Victor’s life. Her motivations blur the lines between genuine affection and the desire for connection amid her struggles. Ultimately, her journey reflects themes of sacrifice and agency, as she navigates her own tumultuous path while becoming entwined in Victor's complex family drama.
Victor's Mother (Anjelica Huston)
Victor's mother is a critical figure in the narrative, embodying the pain of unresolved familial relationships. Concealed in her catatonic state, her past actions cast shadows over Victor’s life, revealing the darker aspects of maternal love and sacrifice. Her eventual recognition of Victor is both a moment of clarity and a poignant tragedy, illustrating the depths of their estrangement.
Denny (Brad William Henke)
Denny serves as Victor's confidante and represents the struggle for redemption in the face of addiction. His support for Victor, mixed with his own past traumas, provides comic relief while underscoring deeper emotional currents. Through their friendship, Denny helps illuminate Victor's journey, reflecting the challenges of recovery and the importance of connection.
Setting
Time period
The movie weaves through contemporary issues while drawing upon the historical context of Colonial America. It intersperses discussions of modern medical practices, such as stem cell research, contrasting them with the traditions of the past. The timeline blends past and present, underscoring the cyclical nature of familial relationships and personal struggles.
Location
Colonial America, Hospital
Colonial America serves as a backdrop for Victor's reenactments, a place rich in history and cultural significance, evoking themes of early American life. The hospital represents a stark contrast, a clinical environment where personal dramas unfold and life-and-death decisions are made. Together, these settings reflect Victor’s tumultuous reality as he navigates personal loss and family secrets.
Themes
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Loss
The theme of loss permeates Victor's journey, from the emotional toll of his mother's condition to the search for identity in the face of abandonment. Victor's attempts to connect with his mother and later cope with her death reflect a profound struggle with personal tragedy. The tragic climax reinforces how unresolved familial ties can lead to devastating consequences.
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Love and Sacrifice
Victor’s interactions with Paige explore the intricacies of love intertwined with sacrifice. Their relationship evolves out of necessity, which raises questions about the authenticity of their connection. Paige's willingness to help Victor in the context of both love and desperation highlights the lengths one will go to for those they care about.
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Identity
Identity is a pivotal theme as Victor grapples with the truth about his lineage and the absence of his father. His quest for self-discovery leads him to confront uncomfortable truths, and the exploration of his mother's past becomes a vehicle for understanding who he truly is. This theme drives the narrative, blending personal history with the larger tragedy of lost connection.
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