Review of Chapter 27 (2007) by Jeff P — 04 Aug 2008

Jared Leto deserves a lot of credit for transforming himself into one of the creepiest and most hated individuals on the planet, Mark David Chapman. Leto seems to nail the look and sound of Chapman, who I understand has been up for parole several times in recent years.

I can't imagine what fate might bestow upon Chapman should he ever get released from prison -- better off staying where you are, Mark. This movie focuses on just the few days leading up to Lennon's murder, and in that sense it is an interesting movie.

I was very disturbed to see how much time Chapman loitered around the Dakota waiting for Lennon to show up. Nowadays, for better or for worse, the paparazzi and security would swarm Lennon so quickly that a wackjob like Chapman would probably have a much harder time getting to him.

I think the movie works best as a study in fan obsession and the cult of celebrity rather than a straight portrait of Chapman, who was and is obviously mentally ill. Unfortunate too is that a terrific book, The Catcher in the Rye, is forever associated with this incredibly tragic act of violence.