The Choking Game

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 think the message is clear. only sad pathetic shallow empty low self-esteemed people would indulge in a dangerous thing like this or self-asphyxiation (the latter a form of sexual euphoria experience. I had a horrible time in my school life and at home my parents and I were on different wavelengths due to our age gaps, but I never indulged in drugs glue sniffing or the choking game! the movie was well made but did not bring me any closer to sympathise with the people or their problems!!!!

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.

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.

The only good thing about this movie is that it's so bad it's funny. The acting is horrible. The high school representation is the typical fake, movie style school, that exists nowhere in society. The "choking game" itself is completely exaggerated in every way. If you want a laugh, watch this movie. Otherwise you will cringe the whole way through.