Review of Chapter 27 (2007) by David C — 09 Sep 2008

Though I feel every film should be judged in its own right, I find it impossible to see Chapter 27 independently from The Killing of John Lennon. Both films have a similar style, both have the Chapman character voice-over, both involve basically the exact same events portrayed in similar ways... even their releases were almost simultaneous. So to answer the obvious question as quickly as possible; in my opinion, The Killing of John Lennon is a better film. But to the task at hand...

This doesn't mean Chapter 27 isn't worth seeing; the physical transformation Jared Leto went through for the role might just be reason enough. Putting on 67 pounds of flab by scarfing liquefied pints of chocolate ice-cream and olive oil is certainly devotion to one's profession. (I'm reminded of Christian Bale's similar but inverted devotion to his Machinist character where he dropped 63 pounds). Thankfully, Leto adds to his physical performance a unique delivery that dissolves the actor almost completely into the character (like Heath Ledger as the Joker). Even Lindsay Lohan isn't too bad.

However, while Leto's performance does well in creating a character, it isn't nearly as effective as Jonas Ball's portrayal of the same one. Leto's Chapman has more of a madman or lunatic feel, while Ball's interpretation seems to flit back and forth with moments of perfect lucidity and civility punctuated by bouts of insanity. Leto's is more frightening at face value but Ball's is more engaging and identifiable. However, I did like the last-minute inner-conflict that this script gave the character. It was a fitting climax.

What hurts Chapter 27 the most is its slow plodding feel. The Killing of John Lennon was a bit heavy on the cutting and stylistic shooting, while Chapter 27 is a bit too bare and it drags. Perhaps it was because I was already familiar with the plot, but Chapter 27 periodically lost its hold on my attention.

Most of all and as the title coyly implies, this movie is a bit of an inside job. That is, without a working familiarity with The Catcher in the Rye and its connection to Chapman as Lennon's killer, a lot of the film's appeal and real point is quietly lost. For example, those "in the know" will smile when they hear Chapman ask the cab driver where the ducks in the pond go to during the winter, but for others it will be another "moment of weirdness" from a character of whom it's expected. Certain key lines, like when Chapman tells a woman he likes the color of her dress, or when he stands in front of a mirror and says "I am Holden" need The Catcher to have their appropriate impact and aren't much without it. It's really this running coincidental similarity between Caufield and Chapman that colors an otherwise black and white narrative of an otherwise unremarkable crazy murderer.

Chapter 27 is worth seeing, especially for the remarkable physical performance of Jared Leto. However, with its many similarities to The Killing of John Lennon, the two films cannot help being compared and Chapter 27 cannot help being the inferior.