Tears.

Happy tears.

When things just feel right, when something is translated so well from page to screen that it looks the way it did in your mind’s eye. The Life of Chuck moved me to happy tears.

Mike Flanagan is at the top of his game. He has proven that he excels at adapting storytelling master Stephen King’s work for the big and small screen, and The Life of Chuck is arguably his best film to date. A short story adapted from the collection, If It Bleeds, The Life of Chuck is a brilliant, joyful, and uplifting story, one that could be argued is unfilmable.

In fact, when I had a brief interaction with Mike Flanagan at Fan Expo I asked him how he did it as we seemed to both agree that it couldn’t be done, he smiled and said he filmed it as it was written, and that I would really enjoy the dance – and he was right.

Flanagan balances awe, wonder, a hint of mystery, and a dash of fear as we are told a story in three acts but in reverse order. With Nick Offerman lending his voice as narrator the film shows us what seems to be the end of the world and how a teacher, Marty (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and a nurse, Felecia (Karen Gillian) find their way back to each other as it all comes to a close.

They are struck by strange signs lauding the retirement of Chuck Krantz (Tom Hiddleston) but can’t figure out what they all mean before the end.

The second act introduces us to Chuck and how the story leads to the end of the world as seen in the final act, and the first act ties it all together, allowing us to see it all fresh and new, as we are introduced to the beginning of the story.

Wonderfully life-affirming, the film features several familiar faces as well as a fun cameo for Flanagan. Amongst the cast is Mark Hamill, Kate Siegel, Mia Sara, Harvey Gulien, Heather Langenkamp, Carl Lumbly, Matthew Lillard, David Dastmalchian, and Annalise Basso, many of whom have worked with Flanagan before.

The attention to detail, from tiny little ones to big ones is paramount in this tale, as they are key to tying it all together. It’s a beautiful tapestry that weaves everything together into a joyous tale of hopes and dreams, and the lasting effect of singular yet complex magic moments that become life-defining for us and those we love.

This may be my favourite film of the festival, and arguably my favourite film of the year. It’s beautiful, powerful, and uplifting.

Loved, loved, loved this one, in fact I may go on (and on) about this one again later, and share more of my thoughts, it left an indelible mark on my heart, and it brought me so much joy. I may try and see it again. It screens Friday, Saturday and Sunday at TIFF.

Thank you, Mr. King, Mr. Flangan, and thank you Chuck for thirty-nine great years!