Indie Gems: Choking Man

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Anything can happen in NYC

Jorge (Octavios Gomez Berrios) is a painfully shy dishwasher from Ecuador working in a shabby diner in Queens, New York. When he's not going unnoticed by the other staff he's bullied by a co-worker. (Aaron Paul) Soon Amy, (Eugenia Yuan) a newly hired Chinese waitress tries to befriend Jorge and break the barrier of his shyness. We're told this story as is goes back and forth between real time and some very impressive animation/drawing sequences.

I'll be the first to admit that Choking Man starts off slow. But there's something more as the film goes on. The story is touching, and I loved how it was told. I liked how it went back and forth between what was really happening, then to the dreamy drawings. I also enjoy watching pre Breaking Bad Aaron Paul, even if he's not in this very much. You can see how easily he used to be typecast. Breaking Bad will surely open many doors for him.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: B-

Memorable Quote: "Fly me to the moon!" - Jorge (Octavios Gomez Berrios)

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