Chopper (2000)
22KChopper: Directed by Andrew Dominik. With Vince Colosimo, Eric Bana, Renée Brack, Gregory Pitt. Chopper tells the intense story of Mark “Chopper” Read, a legendary criminal who wrote his autobiography while serving a jail sentence in prison. His book, “From the Inside
“I have to disagree with those that say this is for Aussieu0026#39;s only. Chopper is an amazing piece of filmmaking in nearly every regard and goes beyond the limitations of vernaculars. I had to laugh at the review that dismissed it as sophomoric tripe and attempts supporting his argument citing the filmu0026#39;s lack of realism in violence. Although based on a real man this is storytelling cinema not documentary. There is an obvious element of gross exaggeration in most of the scenes of violence in Chopper, which serve a purpose (or, more specifically, several purposes). Chopper is obviously incapable of telling the truth or even hearing the truth. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003enIt is, at first, difficult to figure out why so many are drawn to Chopper (and not at all difficult to see why so many wish him dead). Within the first few moments Eric Bana establishes Chopperu0026#39;s character in a way that reveals the off kilter charisma that some simply cannot resist. Those Chopper seems to get along with best are those on the periphery, those who donu0026#39;t invest too much whom he seems intent on impressing. Those too involved with him are locked into his doom because simply no one is able to keep up with the mythological figure Chopper has created himself (or tries create himself) into. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eDarkly humorous, brutal, yet not without pathos the film rightly focuses on its central character and lives up to the unlikely herou0026#39;s motto: never let the truth get in the way of a good yarn. u0026quot;Chopperu0026quot; is a fascinating film filled several amazing performances even in smaller roles (e.g., Jimmyu0026#39;s chain smoking, junkie, white trash, pregnant u0026quot;fiancéeu0026quot; stumbling to the floor to pick up a sawed off shot gun in the hallway). u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003enNot for everyone, but those who get this sort of thing will be richly rewarded.”
