Chuck Chuck Baby

Published 21/08/2023

Yet another directorial debut graced the screens at Edinburgh International festival this year, this time being Janis Pugh’s Chuck Chuck Baby. Following Helen (Louise Brealey) and her life working at the chicken factory with a complicated home life. When someone from her past returns and causes a stir in the close knit town.

I understand what Pugh was trying to achieve with the film, a relatable dramatic queer late coming of age musical. However, the film seemed to miss the mark in all areas.

While dramatic? Yes. But the bland uninteresting dialogue paired with less than committed or enthusiastic performances, from most of the cast, it fell flat. Adding the musical element is what let the film down the most, the way it is placed in scenes comes off forced and unnatural. It even edges on annoying as an audience member by the end of the film.

Performances of the main cast make me question if they had doubts of the script while they were filming. Every line was delivered as if reluctantly and weak. There were multiple scenes that were clearly the strongest in the writing and direction but were let down by emotionless deliveries and lack of chemistry between the leads, Brealey and Annbel Scholey as Joanne. However, one of the highlights of the film is how Cat Simmons, Beverly Rudd and Emily Aston bounce off one another and it’s safe to say, in most their scenes, they were the saving grace.

Chuck Chuck Baby, dir. Janis Pugh

Release: 2024

Lara Edwards