Choking Man (2006)
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50% of critics liked it
(34 reviews) -
46% of users liked it
(640 ratings)
A man finds himself caught between several worlds -- rough real life and a number of parallel fantasy lands -- in this blend of drama and fantasy. Jorge (Octavio Gómez Berríos) is a painfully shy young man from Ecuador who has immigrated to the United States. Jorge keeps body and soul together by… More A man finds himself caught between several worlds -- rough real life and a number of parallel fantasy lands -- in this blend of drama and fantasy. Jorge (Octavio Gómez Berríos) is a painfully shy young man from Ecuador who has immigrated to the United States. Jorge keeps body and soul together by washing dishes at a greasy-spoon diner in a Queens, NY neighborhood that's dominated by a wide variety of fellow immigrants. Jorge spends most of his days at work being harassed by Rick (Mandy Patinkin), the diner's owner, and loud-mouthed manager Jerry (Aaron Paul). One of the only people at the diner who shows any kindness to Jorge is Amy (Eugenia Yuan), an Asian waitress, and Jorge has become deeply infatuated with her. However, Jerry also has his eyes on Amy, only adding to the tension between him and Jorge. As Jorge struggles to escape his grim circumstances, he passes into a variety of alternate realities, ranging from a pastel-colored wonderland ruled by animated bunnies to a grassy sylvan landscape past a fence. Choking Man was written and directed by Steve Barron, best known for his groundbreaking work in music videos; the film received its world premiere at the 2006 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Steve Barron
- Written By
- Steve Barron
- Genres
- Drama
- In Theaters
- Feb 20, 2007 Wide
- On DVD
- Aug 5, 2008
- Studio
- IFC
Critic Reviews
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Tom Huddlestone, Time Out
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.
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Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
Overburdened with disorienting stylistic devices and contrived plot elements that reduce the psychological depth to which it aspires.
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Tasha Robinson, Chicago Tribune
In this case, what looks like an ambitious film-school project, complete with heavy-handed sincerity, experimental camera style, and an overplayed central metaphor, becomes gently lyrical and melancholy.
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V.A. Musetto, New York Post
Barron's direction is low-key but efficient.
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Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
The movie suffocates under the weight of too many wrong choices.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Octavio Gómez Berríos
as Jorge
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Kate Buddeke
as Teri
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Philippe Brenninkmeyer
as Germanic Man
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Eugenia Yuan
as Amy
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Rupak Ginn
as Din
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Aaron Paul
as Jerry
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Mandy Patinkin
as Rick
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Al Roffe
as chef
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Mando Alvarado
as stand-in chef
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Paolo Andino
as Choking Man
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Russell G. Jones
as Subway Man
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Philip Levy
as Middle-Aged Customer
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John Anthony Ferrara
as Spoiled Brat
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Ruth Jaffe
as female diner
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Mitchell Greenberg
as Gene
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Stewart Steinberg
as Gruff Thrift Helper
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Joan Kafer
as Religious Woman
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Rudy Roberson
as Kenny
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Oliver Barron
as Construction Worker
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Jaime Tirelli
as Priest
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Irma St. Paule
as Female Diner's Mother
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Marika Daciuk
as Rick's Wife

