Review of Chopper (2000) by Jeffrey M — 24 Mar 2013

Chopper is a film I stumbled upon purely by chance. I don't have much love for Eric Bana and knew very little of the notorious Australian criminal Mark 'Chopper' Read prior to my first viewing. However ever since watching this film a couple of years after its under the radar release, Chopper has become a film I've watched many times over and thoroughly enjoy every time. Although the crimes are frighteningly and truly horrific, the transition to film regardless of how accurate or inaccurate it may be still makes for great entertainment. The script is bizarrely and disturbingly brilliant and Eric Bana's performance is nothing short of magnificent. This is my favourite film of his but to be fare, I can't recall any other Eric Bana film I like.

I knew nothing of the films Director Andrew Dominik, but I love his work since, in particular both of his collaborations with Brad Pitt 'Jesse James' and 'Killing Them Softly'. It's a shame Chopper has become such an unknown film as I thoroughly enjoyed it. However I believe this portrayal of the character has been glorified and it is difficult to tell what is or isn't true. This film isn't for the faint hearted and some of the grotesque moments are by some standards ill taste viewing and controversial. But personally Chopper left me intrigued and this film introduced me to a person I knew little about. I've since developed my knowledge and understanding of Mark 'Chopper' Read and don't hold this film Chopper as an accurate insight of the person and instead see it as a harmless piece of film.