A Tale of Love, Loss, and the Weight of "Choice"
What does it mean to truly have agency over your life? Kaye Tuckerman’s "CHOICE" doesn't just ask this question; it steers you into its murky depths, daring you to reflect on the frailty of control and the unseen forces shaping our decisions. Ostensibly a romantic comedy, the film morphs, almost imperceptibly, into a sobering cautionary tale.
The plot revolves around a seemingly ordinary woman whose life takes an extraordinary turn after meeting a man who ignites a series of events she never anticipated. When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, her internal turmoil unravels with startling rawness. Is the decision to keep or not to keep hers alone?
Dawn Young's script is a masterclass in nuance, blending the familiarity of slice-of-life storytelling with moments of biting humor. The dialogue’s light comedic undertone keeps the early acts buoyant, only to have the rug pulled out from under you as the story veers into darker territory.
The cast is magnetic, with each actor imbuing their roles with depth and charisma. The protagonist’s journey is brought to life with a performance so vulnerable and layered. Supporting characters, too, bring color and complexity, grounding the narrative in a world that feels painfully real.
Technically, the editing bridges the tonal shifts with seamless precision. The script’s simplicity is its strength, allowing the story’s emotional weight to breathe without feeling overwrought or manipulative.
Yet, like life itself, "CHOICE" is not without its imperfections. The pacing occasionally falters, particularly in the second act, where the momentum slows to a crawl. The cinematography, though adequate, lacks the polish and finesse to elevate the visuals into something truly striking.
But perhaps these imperfections are part of the film’s charm. Life, after all, is rarely polished, and neither are the decisions we face.
At its heart, "CHOICE" is a meditation on autonomy and the forces that shape our paths
Are our choices truly our own? It doesn’t provide easy answers, but it does something better: it invites you to ask the questions.
