CHUCK AND BUCK
US, 200, 96 minutes, Colour.
Mike White, Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz, Lupe Ontiveros, Beth Colt.
Directed by Miguel Arteta.
Chuck and Buck was written by Mike White who plays the leading role of Buck. It was directed by Miguel Arteta who had made the small-budget Star Maps and was to go on to make The Good Girl with Jennifer Aniston. Chuck is played by Chris Weitz, the writer and director of such films as American Pie and About a Boy. His brother Paul, who co-wrote and directed these films, portrays the actor in the play who stands in for Chuck.
The film focuses on Buck, an adult who still seems to be living as a child. He lives with his mother. He has memories of a friendship with Chuck from his primary school days, memories of some kind of sexual relationship as well. When he writes a play based on their friendship, Buck tries to seduce Chuck again. Chuck, however, has become engaged. When the play is rehearsed, Buck becomes more involved and invites Chuck to see the play. When he does, along with his fiancee, she is very upset. Buck promises not to interfere any more if he is allowed one more sexual encounter with Chuck, who agrees. It is difficult to know whether Buck will ever grow up.
The film may not sound impressive in the brief outline of its contents, but it is particularly well acted and Mike White's writing and performance offer many insights into an immature young man, fixated in his sexual relationships, unable to move out of them even though he has the talent to write and produce a play. Mike White also appeared with Jack Black in School of rock. The film raises many issues of identity as well as sexual identity. It is enhanced by the play within the film reflecting the issues of real life.
1. A small-budget film? The work of the writer and leading performer? His perspective on males, adulthood, maturity?
2. The Los Angeles settings, the city itself, Buck's house, the contrast with Chuck's house, the world of socials and parties, of theatre? An authentic atmosphere? The musical score and the range of songs illustrating character and situations?
3. The title and its focus on the two central characters, the relationship from the past, audiences wondering what the reality was (and the flashbacks visualising the reality)? Each of them becoming adults, Chuck and his fiancee, his new life? Buck with his mother, fixated, not growing? The play and Buck's attempts at recapturing the past? Chuck and his fiancee seeing it? The final challenge? Chuck's future? Buck's future?
4. The portrait of Buck, in California, the small town, his relationship with his mother? Her death, the funeral? His seeing Chuck again, his reaction to Carlyn? The sexual groping? Chuck's reaction? His decision to move to Los Angeles, his following Chuck, at the parties, the house, the discussions, Carlyn's reaction? His writing of the play, Hank and Frank? The plans for the performance, the discussions with the director, her reaction to him? The other members of the cast? His friendship with Sam? Sam as the substitute Chuck? Buck and his reminding Chuck of their childhood, the sexual fantasies, the memories? Chuck and his rejection? His decision to go to the play, Carlyn and her reaction? Buck and his final proposal to Chuck after the play, the sexual encounter and its effect on Buck? His then moving house, his following Sam, the process starting over again, his advance on Sam, Sam's rejection? Sam finally forgiving him? Buck and his going to Chuck's and Carlyn's wedding - what has happened to him, how has he coped with his past, his own sense of self, his identity, his future?
5. Chuck, his going to the funeral, meeting Buck again, the sexual advance and his reaction? His reaction to Buck's memories - and the audience wondering whether they are true or not? The visual style of the flashbacks? Their reality and Chuck's participation? Chuck and his rejection of Buck? His being followed, the effect on him, the parties, Buck and his arrival, his ingenuous remarks and the reaction of the people at the party? Chuck's relationship with Carlyn, her suspicions, her reluctantly going to the play, watching it, her reaction? Chuck and his agreeing to have one more encounter with Buck, hoping that that will be the end? His pursuit of Carlyn, their marriage?
6. Sam, the actor, in rehearsal, the performances? His relationship with Buck, the advances and his rejection? His finding Buck moving in? His forgiving him?
7. Carlyn, her being caught up in this strange world, her love for Chuck, going to the play, her reaction, her understanding the past? Her marrying Chuck?
8. The people at the theatre, the director, the performers? The director and her trying to understand Buck, her observations about him as a character, personality, sexual identity?
9. The themes of growing up, masculine adulthood, the effect of childhood, childhood sexuality and its consequences, people growing out of it, people becoming fixated? The film as a kind of psychodrama for Buck and his trying to cope with his image of self?
