"The film has so many layers and so much depth that every time you watch it, you’ll see something new." Kristin Morlino, Costume Supervisor, is talking about The Life of Chuck, which soon premiers in UK cinemas. The Life of Chuck tells the story of "an ordinary man named Charles Krantz." In three chapters, spanning timelines and genres, the film flits from the absurd to the sorrowful, deftly handling dancing and darkening evenings, climate change and childhood loves, all in celebration of a life well lived. With an eye on legacy and the timeless, and a heartfelt reminder to embrace life's simple pleasures, it's a firm favourite of ours this summer. Naturally, then, we wanted to talk all things clothes, costumes and Chuck. With Kristin finding time to oblige, read on for a feel of the film, and watch it in cinemas from the 20 August.
Hi Kristin! Thank you so much for agreeing to answer a few questions about the costume design process for the Life of Chuck. I'd like to jump right in and start by asking about the three-part structure of the film. Mike Flanagan has described it as three distinct stories, talking about the challenges of juggling all three when they have different casts, aesthetics and even aspect ratios. How did you find having to create costumes for essentially three short films that are all part of the same larger narrative? How did you tease out the nuances of each story (its themes, its own aesthetics, its genres, etc.) whilst also ensuring cohesion and faithfulness to the message of the film?
Terry Anderson, our Costume Designer did such an incredible job! He was so creative in using costume pieces, colours, and patterns in one part of the story and reusing them in another. By connecting the character in this way, we connect the entire movie. Mike Flanagan, who is a master storyteller worked closely with Terry and all the departments to create this seamless flow. They are subtle, but the “Easter Eggs” are there if you can find them!
I'd also like to ask a little bit about those three segments of the film. The first we see on screen (or the last of the narrative) presents the end of a world where climate anxiety is realised in full. Did concerns around sustainability, costume and clothing come into your design decisions?
Absolutely! In the film world every department does what it can to make the footprint as small as possible and be environmentally conscious. In the costume world, we try to not only buy from companies that ethically source their products, but we also buy thrift store clothes, ensuring they get recycled. We use dyes and cleaning products that are environmentally friendly and when we are finished filming, we try to donate anything that isn’t essential to vetted organizations that help others, thus giving clothes, shoes, etc a second life.
In the final segment of the film, we see all how all the different narratives, characters, themes and genres seamlessly blend into a meaningful and cohesive ending — which is actually the beginning. With so many genres and aesthetics at stake, there's a treasure trove of influence and inspiration that could have guided the costumes here. Where did you look to for this inspiration?
We in the costume department always love a period piece, there’s nothing like transporting back in time. One of my favourite things about this film is the first part has a supernatural element of suspended time, whereas the other 2 parts feel rooted in the human condition. For instance, the dance sequence on the mall has a joyful, Fred Astair/Ginger Rodgers vibe. I mean who doesn’t love Tom Hiddleston in a beautifully tailored suit and Annalise Basso in a custom-made swing dress? That scene took me back to the golden age of Hollywood. Also, Mark Hamill’s costumes are reminiscent of every grandfather of that era, adding a layer of sentimentality to the film.
As well as the horror greats Flanagan and King, the cast of the film is formidable — Tom Hiddleston, Karen Gillan, Mark Hamil, Nick Offerman, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, to name just a handful! How did they inspire you during the process? Do you think just about the characters you design for, or the actors themselves too?
Costumes help to build depth into who a character is and help the actor transform. Would this character wear bright colours or muted tones? Would they lean towards funky vintage bohemian or a crisp, conservative look? Terry and the actors figured out who their character was together and then Terry worked his magic! All the actors were unbelievably wonderful and trusted Terry to guide them through this process. Mike (Flanagan) was also very involved, which added yet another dimension to the character. It’s a collaboration that says who the character is without using words.
And now some more fun, short questions! Favourite costume of the film?
I absolutely loved Janice’s dress for the dance sequence. Our Costume Designer Terry Anderson designed it to move and flow with her, and he hit the mark! Terry even sewed it himself to ensure it was perfect!
Can you share a fun behind the scenes fact?
I’m not sure it was fun for anyone, but while filming in Alabama in the middle of summer,
it can get quite hot. Temperatures were as high as 36 degrees while we were filming the
dance sequence, and we were swapping out Tom’s costume for a fresh one every couple of takes because of sweating. Luckily, we were prepared and had 7 identical suits, shirts, and ties. Of course, Tom was a trooper, and our set costumers, Alesha and Kim were always on top of it. I also have to say that the background actors were fantastic in braving the heat those days as well. It was gruelling for everyone, but you’d never know it!
And what would you love for audiences to take away from the Life of Chuck?
The film has so many layers and so much depth that every time you watch it, you’ll see something new. Mike not only did an amazing job of adapting this novella by the great Stephen King, but he also brought it to life on the screen in a thoughtful and heartfelt way. For the cast and crew, it was truly a labour of love, and I hope that shines through. To me it’s about the importance of humanity, existence, and the idea that every life holds meaning. Audience should walk away knowing that every life is profound and has an impact. “I am wonderful, I deserve to be wonderful, and I contain multitudes.”
