The Choking Game (2014)

Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Seldom have I seen a TV movie that I recorded and saw a second time. The Choking Game was one that I did see twice. The subject was well handled in every aspect. It did not glorify the "game" but made us aware in a riveting way of the existence of this horrible "game" and some of its consequences. It all began with well written dialog which was believable for each character. The acting was excellent as well as the directing which was top notch. Also, it was visually well done particularly when it included images from the person playing the "game". Kudos to cast and crew! More people should see this TV movie and learn the signs of this scary "game" that can and has killed kids as young as 9 years old as well as a famous actor.

Based on the original book CHOKE, by Diana Lopez. I was very happy to see Lane Shefter Bishop tackle this tough topic. So many parents aren't aware that their own children are playing this deadly game. Why do kids do it? It's a combination of impulsivity, risk-taking behavior and the fact that teens think they are immortal. The "choking game" produces an immediate high--they fail to appreciate the dangerous consequences. I enjoyed both the book and movie--it was good to see Peri Gilpin again and Freya Tingley was terrific as Taryn, her daughter. It's always difficult to handle sensitive material in a way that audiences of all ages will appreciate, but I think this was achieved in The Choking Game. It's easy to see why Taryn--a girl from a great home and loving parents--would be tempted to try the Choking Game. As the movie opens, we see her insecurity, her vulnerability and how she questions her own attractiveness. In a scene in a coffee house, she reveals that she feels that she has "nothing to say," and her feelings are ruffled when a classmate pointedly fails to invite her to a party. She yearns to belong, but always feels she is an "outsider looking in." A boy she's interested in doesn't seem to get the message that she'd like a romantic relationship--not just a friendship--and this is another blow to her self-esteem. Put all these facts together and you've got the perfect storm. A vulnerable, highly sensitive young teen-age girl who succumbs to peer pressure from the exciting, "new girl" in school. A great movie from Lifetime.

I study teen cinema as an academic (Generation Multiplex: The Image of Youth in American Cinema Since 1980) so I have seen many hundred of films about teenagers. This LMN production is not meant to provide laughs and thrills, but at least it's not too preachy about its message (choking is indeed stupid), and better yet, it delves into the personal reasons why the two lead girls become involved in the practice. It's at least worth seeing to talk with teens about trying dangerous behavior for its own thrill, especially in an era when youth are trying to find ever-greater "extreme" behavior to stand out and/or fit in.The actors throughout-- both the teens and the adults-- do fine, believable work. And the script does not try to be too hip with teen lingo or attitudes. The kids use the relevant amount of contemporary technology and have realistic parents. They are a little wealthier than average teens, which is the case in almost all teen movies. The protagonist faces legitimate pressure about graduating from high school and going to college, and has a boy crush that is handled sincerely.SPOILERS: The images that the girls envision when unconscious are rather dramatic, and even beautiful. I am not sure that this is the best approach to discourage the practice! After all, dreaming when naturally asleep is dramatic and beautiful, but not dangerous. The core issue among the girls is about acceptance and pressure (both with peers and adults), so I am not sure why the producers bothered to render any imagery for the choking.You may have an issue with the ending, which plays it too safe (or is simply too ambiguous) about the fate of the "bad" girl who leads the "good" girl into the choking game. You know that she will pay some kind of price, because the bad influence always does, but just what happens to her, on a medical level, is so vague that it might lead some younger viewers to assume the girl will be okay, when the suggestion is otherwise made that she has suffered permanent lifelong damage. I am not sure why the producers chose this approach.I am also unsure of the alarming statistics posted before the end credits. Young people may be resistant to view choking as an epidemic when less than 10% of teens try it. Again, the film may be more valuable to foster discussion about overall dangerous behavior among teens, especially that which may seem morally acceptable because it is not illegal. At one point the teens down alcohol at at party, which is passé compared to choking, and I think that gets at its appeal, of course.

The Choking Game is a very well written and produced television movie. Director, Lane Shefter Bishop, delivered the highest level of production I have seen on the Lifetime network. She did an amazing job in bringing the best out of each and every actor from the lead role to the smallest part. This is a meaningful story which needed to be told in a way that would impact viewers and Lane did just that in a BIG way.TV movies sometimes lack that feature film feel but The Choking Game left you leaving the screen as if you walked out of a movie theater. I was well satisfied by the story line and impressed with the story telling.