Amazon.com: Based on the writings of Australian author Mark "Chopper" Read, a real-life criminal who recounts his misdeeds (including the severing of his own ears to win release) in books with titles like How to Shoot Friends and Influence People, Chopper is a stomach-churning spectacle from which you cannot pull away. In the opening scene of Andrew Dominik's vicious first film, Chopper jabs a man's face full of holes with pliers and proceeds to offer him a cigarette while he lies bleeding to death on a prison floor; contrite but obviously mad, he then asks sincerely, "You don't like me much, do you?" Somehow it's grotesquely funny. Shooting in bleached-out blue prison cells and corrosively lit nightclubs and flats, Dominik sets a spare stage for the film's true revelation, standup comic Eric Bana's explosive debut. Reminiscent in scale of Russell Crowe's first lead outing as a sadistic skinhead in Romper Stomper, Bana's performance is at turns fearsome, hilarious, and mesmerizing. --Fionn Meade
Weird, much like the book Much like the book, this movie gives you a glimps into the life of Mark "Chopper" Read. I just happened across this moves years & years ago. It was weird then & it's still weird now. It's about this Aussie who went around killing/Beating drug dealers & other bullies, because he thought he was supposed to. This film is also a chance to see Eric Bana before he came to the U.S. & made it big in films like "Black Hawk Down", "Hulk", "Troy", & "the Other Boleyn Girl". It's a good black comedy that will leave you wanting more. I even purchased the first of his books after seeing this. Now that was an interesting read.
A short sharp film This is a well-made biopic of Mark 'Chopper' Read, an extremely violent Australian criminal who has gone on to become a successful writer. The story, although based on 'Choppers' own books has been spiced up for the film, so some of the events depicted may never have happened. That said its an adrenalin filled film which never lets up in its intensity, which is mostly down to a superb performance by Eric Bana. His portrayal captures the schzoid nature of 'Chopper' who after shooting you, was just as likely to take you to a hospital.
With its relentless nature and short running time of only 90 minutes you'll find that the film is over very quickly. I felt the film could have continued a little longer (very unusual for me) so for me the ending was a bit of dissappointment. However I have few other criticisms and so long as you don't mind violence and drug use portrayed realistically in films you'll enjoy this. Its no masterpiece, but its as good, and in many cases better, than a lot of equivalent Hollywood films.
Weird but captivating Like a train-wreck - with probably about as much gore. An interesting look into the soul of the 80's Australian crime scene (or at least a dramatisation thereof).
A Black Life This is easily one of the most disturbing, and yet intriguing films I have watched in recent history. Andrew Dominik has created a tragically empathetic examination of professional criminal Chopper Read. Being the debut of the filmmaker that would later go on to make the brilliant 'Assassination of Jessie James by the Coward Robert Ford', this film was a sublime thesis on the psychotically lonely. The former stand-up comedian Eric Bana makes his acting debut alongside Dominik and easily proves his ability to perform, regardless of the text. A truly remarkable film accredited to two up-in-comers. Be warned, it does deserve its R rating, because with in the film, you witness male nudity, (most likely prosthetic), numerous murders, stabbings, and the title character chopping off his ear. But all this is necessary to examine a psychotic killer. Great filmmaking.
Eric Bana 'IS' Chopper. Before having watched this film I never really had much of an idea of who Chopper was and i was interested in seeing the film from all the little things id heard, but I have got to say I never expected to get as much out of the film as I did. Chopper is dimentionally entertaining and opened me up to this whole new world of the once psycho Mark Chopper Reid.
Andrew Dominik tells the story in a very new and interesting way, the film is very conversational and seems to highlight only the most substantial moments in Reids life. Through many outstanding performances the film is made very realistic and is as if your standing right there watching it.
Now i've got to add credit to Eric Bana for his performance in the film, It is absolutely incredible in my opinion, one of the best performances to date. When you watch it its as if he has just shapeshifted himself magically to mould another person, he is nothing alike to the person that he is in real life its awesome. Its a no wonder after him doing this film he has never had to do another audition for other films. BRILLIANT!
This film along with comedy, drama and the true story telling side of it, is accually realistically bloody so it aint for the faint hearted but nether the less the movie is great and most will enjoy it. Ive watched it three times since i purchased it just last week. The films only flaw i felt was i didnt feel i knew enough of what there is to know about the character, but i would guess that would have something to do with a lesser budget that the film had, but anyways the film is great and i grant it five thumbs up and recommend it to you. Enjoy!
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