Chokeslam

Chokeslam is a 2016 Canadian comedy-drama revolving around the pivotal themes of obsession, dreams, aspirations, love, and redemption. Chokeslam, directed by Robert Cuffley, presents a subtle blend of sports, love, and comedy, and takes the audience on a roller coaster ride of emotions. The film stars a powerhouse cast featuring Christopher Rodriguez Marquette, Amanda Crew, and Michael Eklund, whose stellar performances lend the film its charm and essence.

Chokeslam opens with a charming yet hopeless deli clerk, Corey Swanson, played by Christopher Rodriguez Marquette. He is an enthusiast of high school wrestling, and his character is designed as a sweet, loveable loser, stuck in the rut of his mundane life. However, his ordinary life takes an extraordinary turn when he learns about the ten-year high school reunion. The reunion brings Corey face to-face with his high school sweetheart, Sheena DeWilde (portrayed by Amanda Crew), who is now a renowned professional wrestler and a celebrated personality. Sheena, known in the wrestling world as 'Smasheena', possesses a reputation of being unbeatable and intimidating.

The film skillfully captures the characters' high school backstory, their emotions, and their past lives, lending depth and coherence to the plot. The protagonist, Corey, sees this reunion as an opportunity to reconnect with Sheena and perhaps rekindle their romance. His unrequited love for Sheena and his obsession with wrestling fuel his ambitions, and he dreams of marrying his high school sweetheart.

However, Corey's dream is not an easy one to achieve. He must overcome significant hurdles and complications, one of them being Luke, brilliantly played by Michael Eklund. Luke, the manipulative wrestling manager wants to exploit Sheena's wrestling fame for his selfish gains. His mysterious aura and his dubious intentions add thrill and tension to the storyline.

The plot thickens when Corey concocts an extravagant plan to win Sheena over. The film beautifully portrays Corey's earnest efforts and his unwavering belief in his love. His journey is met with twists and turns, comic villains, and moments filled with heartfelt emotion. While the film is predominantly a comedy, it doesn't shy away from exploring deeper emotional tones and presenting meaningful character arcs. Each character has a distinct personality and adds varied nuances to the plot.

Known for her role in the sitcom "Silicon Valley," Amanda Crew, as Sheena, flares exceptionally well in an uncharacteristic role. Her portrayal of Sheena is realistic and believable, and the wrestling scenes are convincing and entertaining. Christopher Marquette wonderfully carries the entire film on his shoulders with an impressive comedic timing, and his depiction of a hopelessly-in-love guy is endearing. Michael Eklund, as the scheming manager, delivers a performance filled with deceptive charm that perfectly suits his character.

Chokeslam is a film about redemption, dreams, and love. However, it isn't your typical romantic comedy. It unfolds an unusual love story against a wrestling backdrop, offering a unique blend of sports, romance, humor, and drama. Beyond its playful banter, wrestling scenes, and comic mishaps, the movie subtly delves into the protagonists' lives, their past, their dreams, and their journey towards self-discovery. The story isn't just about Corey's love for Sheena, but his love for wrestling and his struggle to rise above his ordinary life and achieve his dreams.

The credit for the wrestling sequences' authenticity, intensity, and appeal goes to the well-choreographed moves and dedicated performances by the actors. The wrestling aspect, utilized more than a mere plot device, contributes significantly to the narrative and character development.

Chokeslam, with its eccentric mix of sports, comedy, and love, makes for enjoyable viewing, especially for wrestling fans. Whether Corey will finally win Sheena's heart and whether Sheena will break away from her wrestling persona's shackles adds an engaging suspenseful undercurrent to the film.

In conclusion, Chokeslam is an entertainer that promises laughter, emotions, drama, and excitement. Its engaging storyline, commendable performances, quickly-paced wrestling sequences, comic elements, and romantic underbelly contribute to making it an absorbing watch. If a quirky, light-hearted romantic comedy with a wrestling twist sounds appealing, Chokeslam is worth giving a try.