Choke is a coming of age story about an albino girl growing up in communist fearing 1950s era America and the trials and tribulations of fitting into the nuclear family suburban life through a journey of acceptance, understanding and ultimately enlightening education, all the while fighting against the choking pressure of an increasingly ignorant and unsympathetic middle-class society.

Actually, that's a vicious lie.

But Sam Rockwell, who stars in the film, appears to fall victim to the constant stereotype or typecast of being a supporting actor in recent times; an actor who truly deserves the limelight every now and then. So if my lie has caught your attention, then hopefully the rest will too: Rockwell plays a sex-addict working at a colonial theme park with an ailing mother suffering from Alzheimer's disease. In order to pay for her medical bills, he moonlights as a patron at various restaurants where he pretends to choke on food in order to garner the sympathy and financial support of those fellow patrons who save him from choking.

Dubbed as a satirical black comedy, Rockwell is well suited to the role and, with Anjelica Huston playing his mother, the movie is certain to be consistent with its dry, irreverent humour.

The film is based on the novel by Chuck Palahniuk, whose previous work includes the novel-to-film adaptation Fight Club (being shown next, as it happens). It may not be a coming of age story about an albino girl, but it definitely puts Sam Rockwell where he belongs: as the focus of a bizarre and witty satire about a man who likes to fornicate and help his mother by practising his gag reflex. Not that I'm saying Rockwell's a sleaze, quite the opposite ((ndash)) he's an actor of scope, variety and complexity. An actor worth watching.

If I need to introduce you to Fight Club, then I would first have to ask you how the surface of Jupiter has been for the last ten years, because that's where I would assume you have been. Then I would be reminded of the first two rules of Fight Club; and therefore would tell you that you just have to see the movie to find out more, as I am not allowed to give you details.

What I will tell you is that this is an even-numbered David Fincher movie and they are always the most interesting and auteur-like (Se7en, Fight Club, Zodiac and, I'm willing to bet, the upcoming Ness), whereas the odd-numbered ones are skilfully crafted, but more mainstream (Alien3, The Game, Panic Room and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Although I'd like to forget Alien3!). I will also tell you that Brad Pitt's best roles have been with Fincher.

Most of all, I would tell you that this is regarded as an all-time classic, only ten years after its original release. It's a snapshot of the nineties, particularly of males emerging from the ridiculous concept of the SNAG (Sensitive New-Age Guy, for those who didn't have the misfortune to encounter this fictional creature) and reclaiming their masculinity.

And remember, if this is your first night at Fight Club, you have to...