(From the Past) Chuck and Buck (2000)

Chuck and Buck
written by Mike White
directed by Miguel Arteta
starring (pictured) Mike White & Chris Weitz

Chuck and Buck is an indie frequently screened on Logo. The last time I watched, it was more mesmerizing to me than usual. I saw beyond the expected.

Obviously, White's character Buck is an underdog, a poor half-child who has never made it out of the time capsule in which he has been living his empty life. His mother has died, he's alone with the fantasy of a continued intimate relationship with his boyhood friend Chuck, played matter-of-factly by Weitz, and he is totally bizarre, yet sympathetic and caring. Lack of maturity or not, nothing has inhibited his creativity; in fact, he writes an allegory about the boy/gay friendship, works to get it produced at an Equity-waiver theater and even stalks Chuck in an attempt to get him to come see it. Chuck, unlike Buck, has matured, is a successful record producer and engaged to be married. Buck is a painful reminder to him of what he once was, and of what he wants, or thinks he wants, to obliterate from his mind.

Both performances are very good, especially White's, and there is also terrific support from a favorite actress of mine - Lupe Ontiveros, so underrated - who plays the house manager at the small theater. She is so real and loving, and her friendship with Buck helps him eventually find his center, changing his life for the better. Paul Weitz, real-life brother of Chris Weitz, plays Sam, the actor who looks so much like Chuck to Buck that he casts him in his play. Interesting note: both Weitz boys are the sons of 50s/60s Academy Award nominated actress Susan Kohner.

I enjoy the intimacy achieved here by White's intelligent script and also by Miguel Arteta's sensitive direction.
White is not afraid to expose himself for who he is, even in his most fragile moments, and his slow transformation to manhood is surprisingly appealing.

Don't miss this little chestnut from the year 2000!