Sean Daniels' autobiographical piece recounts the heartfelt journey of Steven, tracing his steps from alcoholism to sobriety. Coming from a dysfunctional Mormon home, Daniels' protagonist at a very early age begins to use alcohol to deal with his issues. Nevertheless, by employing the same engaging charm and humour which marks this recounting of his story, Steven manages to achieve social success and to pursue a high-achieving career even as his life is falling apart. Despite an unplanned marriage, a serious traffic accident and various other crises, it is only when Steven finds himself on the side of the road contemplating suicide that he honestly comes to terms with his plight. For us, the character of Steven and Daniels' unflinching portrait of his dilemma recalled F. Scott Fitzgerald's picture of the disintegration of a drunken Dick Diver in Tender is the Night. In both cases, it is the ability of the characters to use their charm, or humour, which allows them to negotiate their way through the chaos that alcohol makes of their lives. The difference between the two works, however, is that while Fitzgerald's treatment of Dick's disintegration is a literary masterpiece, Daniels' remains more of a rather didactic confessional. Despite the great one-liners and the sensitive and gripping performance of Ed Coleman as Steven, The White Chip doesn't quite make the transition from a poignant and comic recounting of personal trauma to a work of art. That being said, this is a well-written, sensitively interpreted retelling of a cautionary tale, which is darkly absorbing and disturbingly amusing.
Rated: ★★★
Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Danny Kaan
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