I didn’t think much of the novel CHOKE (sorry, Palahniuk maniacs), and yet I’m curious about the movie based on the book. That’s largely due to the people involved, namely the great Sam Rockwell, Kelly MacDonald and Anjelica Huston. Plus it’s adapted and directed by actor Clark Gregg, a Mamet regular (and the guy trying to get an appointment with Tony Stark).
The story follows a con artist who pretends to gag at upscale restaurants so he can latch onto his Heimlich saviors and bleed them. He offsets this with working at a Colonial “re-enactor” to fund treatment for his mentally handicapped mom. In between, he finds time to immerse himself in therapy and unhealthy sexual relationships.
The movie has been a festival fave, and the trailer is now online at MTV (also in HD, which is apparently the only option if you’re outside the US).