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The cast and crew of The Life of Chuck share the evocative resonance of Stephen King’s words. Through a video released by NEON, the actors and filmmakers of the project share tongue-in-cheek favorite passages from the legends’ works, giving insight into just how deeply the words of King sway a crowd.
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Tom Hiddleston, who plays the lead in the film, chose his favorite quote from Stand By Me (originally published as The Body). “I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12,” Hiddleston says in the clip. “Does anyone? Does anyone?” That sight lines straight into a familiar feeling of universal yearning and loss that King so well-knits into his coming-of-age tales.
One of the more touching moments comes when members of the crew tell how King’s words took them through some hard times. One recounted that in the wake of her father’s sudden death, she gravitated back towards The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon for solace, by way of King’s honest depiction of grief. “There are lines in these books like…sometimes God is cruel. Sometimes he makes you live,” they say. “I remember getting to that moment, and it was exactly what I felt about my father’s death.”
Viewers who managed to catch the film continued pouring in with their testimonies. “Its been almost a week and im still crying,” one said, while another said, “the most beautiful movie I have ever seen.” Even one crew member admitted that an unusual feeling within compelled him to remain rigging the set watching the filming unfold, whereas normally between takes, he would zone out.
Comments in French (“Le plus beau film du moment”) and Russian (“I’m so waiting for this movie”) attest to the worldwide anticipation, with Italian fans pleading, “I hope it will be released in Italy soon,” and already making plans to place a copy in their collection.
It seems The Life of Chuck has reached some special chord on hope and human connection. Another admirer perfectly encapsulates what King meant by the film: “Steve has always had an incredible heart behind all of the horror.”
Playing presently in theaters, a lot of moviegoers have decided that they’ll go back for a second viewing. Considering how emotionally taxing The Life of Chuck had been to the cast and crew, as well as to the early audience, this could be one of the rare filmed adaptations that earnestly honors the spirit of King’s books – the spirit, not just the chills but the humanity lying beneath them.
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For those who haven’t seen it, grab your tissues. Maybe after that, give those childhood friends a call because, on good faith, these reactions may just stick to you long after the credits have started rolling.
This story originally appeared on Celebrityinsider
