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Quirky animated interludes fail to lift this dull US immigrant indie out of its introverted torpid state.
All Critics (34) | Top Critics (16) | Fresh (17) | Rotten (17) | DVD (1)
For all its concern with social and mental disintegration, Choking Man is a strangely tender film. Nov 16, 2008
For all its concern with social and mental disintegration, Choking Man is a strangely tender film.
Anton Bitel
There's a low-key New York drama lurking somewhere, but Barron can't seem to decide if he's making that or something more flashy. Nov 14, 2008 | Rating: 2/6 | Full Review…
There's a low-key New York drama lurking somewhere, but Barron can't seem to decide if he's making that or something more flashy.
Tom Huddlestone
The creepy and original power of the film is the schizophrenic other who taunts him when he finally crawls home to his maggoty bedsit. Weird. Nov 14, 2008 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
The creepy and original power of the film is the schizophrenic other who taunts him when he finally crawls home to his maggoty bedsit. Weird.
James Christopher
Some US indie films are so torpid, so pointless and so incredibly whingey that you want to reach into the screen and slap the face of everyone involved. This film, by writer-director Steve Barron, is one such. Nov 14, 2008 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…
Some US indie films are so torpid, so pointless and so incredibly whingey that you want to reach into the screen and slap the face of everyone involved. This film, by writer-director Steve Barron, is one such.
Peter Bradshaw
It's not a bad effort at all - and certainly a whole class above Ninja Turtles. Nov 14, 2008 | Rating: 3/5
It's not a bad effort at all - and certainly a whole class above Ninja Turtles.
Derek Malcolm
Overburdened with disorienting stylistic devices and contrived plot elements that reduce the psychological depth to which it aspires. Nov 28, 2007
Overburdened with disorienting stylistic devices and contrived plot elements that reduce the psychological depth to which it aspires.
Frank Scheck
Low-key indie. Jul 9, 2009 | Rating: B | Full Review…
Low-key indie.
Dennis Schwartz
Despite efforts to impart a little tension and human interest, the tale is told with such discretion, it's almost anonymous. Nov 14, 2008 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
Despite efforts to impart a little tension and human interest, the tale is told with such discretion, it's almost anonymous.
There's enough charm and enterprise here to win over viewers who have the patience to stick by the tongue-tied Jorge. An intriguing change of direction for pop-video pioneer Barron, though next time he might like to cut loose that bit more. Nov 14, 2008 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
There's enough charm and enterprise here to win over viewers who have the patience to stick by the tongue-tied Jorge. An intriguing change of direction for pop-video pioneer Barron, though next time he might like to cut loose that bit more.
Trevor Johnston
The film marries digicam naturalism to animated fantasy to oddsome but fascinating effect, rendering magical the inner world of the shy and almost muted Jorge. It's an unusual but valuable addition to the cinema of contemporary migration. Nov 14, 2008 | Full Review…
The film marries digicam naturalism to animated fantasy to oddsome but fascinating effect, rendering magical the inner world of the shy and almost muted Jorge. It's an unusual but valuable addition to the cinema of contemporary migration.
Sukhdev Sandhu
It's all a bit anonymous despite engaging performances, especially from Yuan as the sunny optimist, but the character of Jorge is so cripplingly introverted that there's nothing to latch on to. Nov 14, 2008 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
It's all a bit anonymous despite engaging performances, especially from Yuan as the sunny optimist, but the character of Jorge is so cripplingly introverted that there's nothing to latch on to.
Tim Evans
Steve Barron's darkly melancholic, low-budget drama is worlds away from the blockbuster swagger of his earlier Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Nov 14, 2008 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Steve Barron's darkly melancholic, low-budget drama is worlds away from the blockbuster swagger of his earlier Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
The patiently-paced film is meant to draw us into the small community of people who work at a diner, and "touching moments" where these characters connect, are more the style than any kind of a "thriller" theme. In any case, overall it's a high quality film and well worth seeing if you get the chance, but you won't be missing much if you don't.
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