CHOPPER (3+ outta 5 stars) Nifty little character study of a notorious Australian criminal... well, notorious in his own mind, at least. The jury is still out on how much of the autobiographical details of the life of "Chopper" read are real and how much is fake... but it does make a compelling story either way. Eric Bana gives a great performance in the lead... nothing else I've ever seen him in prepared me for how good he really is. The character he plays is nasty, repellent, scary, ill-tempered... and still full of charisma. After a violent stint in prison (his motto appears to be "do unto others before they do it unto you") Chopper is sent back out into society. With no other skills besides his knowledge of crime, Chopper offers himself to the local police as a special undercover agent. They, of course, want nothing to do with his boneheaded scheme but he pretends that they do anyway. Inflicting pain (on himself *and* others) seems to be what he is best at and he gets plenty of opportunities to show his stuff. Amusing though it may be at times, the movie is not a glorification of violence... the ferocity and suddenness of it keeps the audience constantly on edge.
176 Reviews
Fact or Fiction? The film is still great!
jluis19846 April 2006
Mark Brandon Read, nicknamed "Chopper", was a notorious criminal in Australia who after spending most of his life in prison, went on publishing books with anecdotes of those years becoming a successful writer of Best-Sellers. While he has been accused of exaggerating things about his life in his books, the stories presented still are realistic and shocking, and give insight about the mind of this complex and often-troubled man, regardless if if they are real or fiction. "Chopper", the movie, is not based exactly on Read's life, but in the series of anecdotes he wrote in his first books.
Eric Bana plays Chopper and gives one of his best performances to date, capturing the very essence of the living legend Chopper has become now. It is not a surprise that this film gave him recognition out of Australia and turned him into an international star. but even when the movie is centered around Chopper, Simon Lyndon and Kate Beahan's performances shine in their roles as Chopper's cell mate Jimmy and Chopper's girlfriend Tanya respectively.
Like Read's books, the movie is not exactly a biography, but a collection of tales surrounding the now-mythical figure of "Chopper", presented in a way that perfectly mixes strange surrealism with harsh realism. The gritty semi-documentary look the film has enhances this feeling as well as the cold way the violence is presented. Like the real Chopper, the film walks the fine line between fact and fiction, and that's what makes it very appealing and interesting.
It could be said that Director Andrew Dominik painted an accurate portrait of "Chopper" the legend, not of the real person; and that's probably what the real Chopper may prefer. Domink plays with the moods, going from serious drama to awkwardly funny scenes in this character study that presents us a charming yet dangerous man, who probably has been through more than what we would like to do, yet less than what he would likes us to believe.
The film is very intense and "tough", and very good at it; Bana is perfect as Chopper and shows great promise as an actor. His characterization makes very difficult to don't like this common man with a very uncommon life. Director Dominik makes a straight-to-the-face film that stays true to Chopper's persona (fictional or not), and does it without being pretentious or manipulative. It basically lets Chopper's charisma speak for itself playing with the audience's fascination with crime and violence.
If as flaw was to be found, it would be that it never tries to go beyond its goal or push too much the envelope. It is not much of a flaw, as the results are still brilliant, but leaves one wondering at how far could it had gone considering the talent of those involved. Anyways, Eric Bana and Andrew Dominik are set to a bright future and this film is a brilliant start for these two new talents. 7/10
Eric Bana plays Chopper and gives one of his best performances to date, capturing the very essence of the living legend Chopper has become now. It is not a surprise that this film gave him recognition out of Australia and turned him into an international star. but even when the movie is centered around Chopper, Simon Lyndon and Kate Beahan's performances shine in their roles as Chopper's cell mate Jimmy and Chopper's girlfriend Tanya respectively.
Like Read's books, the movie is not exactly a biography, but a collection of tales surrounding the now-mythical figure of "Chopper", presented in a way that perfectly mixes strange surrealism with harsh realism. The gritty semi-documentary look the film has enhances this feeling as well as the cold way the violence is presented. Like the real Chopper, the film walks the fine line between fact and fiction, and that's what makes it very appealing and interesting.
It could be said that Director Andrew Dominik painted an accurate portrait of "Chopper" the legend, not of the real person; and that's probably what the real Chopper may prefer. Domink plays with the moods, going from serious drama to awkwardly funny scenes in this character study that presents us a charming yet dangerous man, who probably has been through more than what we would like to do, yet less than what he would likes us to believe.
The film is very intense and "tough", and very good at it; Bana is perfect as Chopper and shows great promise as an actor. His characterization makes very difficult to don't like this common man with a very uncommon life. Director Dominik makes a straight-to-the-face film that stays true to Chopper's persona (fictional or not), and does it without being pretentious or manipulative. It basically lets Chopper's charisma speak for itself playing with the audience's fascination with crime and violence.
If as flaw was to be found, it would be that it never tries to go beyond its goal or push too much the envelope. It is not much of a flaw, as the results are still brilliant, but leaves one wondering at how far could it had gone considering the talent of those involved. Anyways, Eric Bana and Andrew Dominik are set to a bright future and this film is a brilliant start for these two new talents. 7/10
Fun, intense, thrilling ride that never stops
jhonses17 August 2013
This film is very well done. I can see why a lot of people compare it to Refn's Bronson. Both revolve around psychopaths who spend the majority of the film inside of a cell block.
As expected with Andrew Dominik, the dialogue and cinematography are extremely well done. His transition shots are damn near flawless and the tongue and cheek dialogue is fun while keeping the audience interested. He also does some neat little things to allow the audience to see the film through Choppers perspective.
Eric Bana gives a stellar performance (better than Munich in my opinion). With all the weigh he put on, he seems larger than life on the screen (with credit also going to Dominik for the "Larger then life" personality of Chopper). Fair warning though, Their are some parts that are not for the light stomached, but definitely a movie I would suggest to watch.
As expected with Andrew Dominik, the dialogue and cinematography are extremely well done. His transition shots are damn near flawless and the tongue and cheek dialogue is fun while keeping the audience interested. He also does some neat little things to allow the audience to see the film through Choppers perspective.
Eric Bana gives a stellar performance (better than Munich in my opinion). With all the weigh he put on, he seems larger than life on the screen (with credit also going to Dominik for the "Larger then life" personality of Chopper). Fair warning though, Their are some parts that are not for the light stomached, but definitely a movie I would suggest to watch.
Great acting by Eric Bana lifts this above your average gangster flick
to_kill_better7 February 2006
I want to start by saying that I hate gangster movies. I thoroughly dislike being asked to identify with murderers and criminals and to treat organised criminals as "anti-heroes". With this in mind I was quite surprised to find that I really enjoyed "Chopper".
As previous reviewers have said, this is essentially a character study rather than a story. The reason it works so well is that Mark Brandon Read is a compelling character beautifully impersonated by Eric Bana. Anyone who's ever seen an interview with Read himself can appreciate what a close impersonation Bana achieves; his sudden guffawing laugh and light-hearted way of talking about his really unpleasant deeds being perfectly copied. The movie manages to do what I'm sure Read himself has achieved in real life - it tricks you into liking him before revealing that his hair-trigger temper and propensity for paranoia and violence make him a dangerous person to be around. The thing that keeps you watching is Chopper's jovial nature but also his unpredictability. In circumstances where other gangsters would have gone on a killing spree, Chopper just shrugs and takes it in his stride. But likewise, in throughly innocuous circumstances, his paranoia can kick in at any moment and send him on a violent outburst.
As previous reviewers have said, this is essentially a character study rather than a story. The reason it works so well is that Mark Brandon Read is a compelling character beautifully impersonated by Eric Bana. Anyone who's ever seen an interview with Read himself can appreciate what a close impersonation Bana achieves; his sudden guffawing laugh and light-hearted way of talking about his really unpleasant deeds being perfectly copied. The movie manages to do what I'm sure Read himself has achieved in real life - it tricks you into liking him before revealing that his hair-trigger temper and propensity for paranoia and violence make him a dangerous person to be around. The thing that keeps you watching is Chopper's jovial nature but also his unpredictability. In circumstances where other gangsters would have gone on a killing spree, Chopper just shrugs and takes it in his stride. But likewise, in throughly innocuous circumstances, his paranoia can kick in at any moment and send him on a violent outburst.
Eric Bana Is Gonna Be A Megastar
Theo Robertson8 May 2004
Eric Bana is an Aussie ? I knew this before I saw BLACK HAWK DOWN . If I hadn`t I would have been totally convinced this guy was from the Southern states , Bana`s deep south accent was absolutely flawless in that movie unlike some of the British cast members . Since then he`s appeared in the blockbuster release of THE INCREDIBLE HULK ( Which I haven`t seen yet ) and he`ll be playing a major role in up coming mega-blockbuster TROY . After seeing him as Mark Read in CHOPPER I was totally struck by something - Eric Bana is gonna be a megastar very soon
Watching CHOPPER is somewhat like watching the young Deniro in TAXI DRIVER Bana`s performance more than makes up for the flaws in the movie , he`s not an actor playing a character - He is that character , he is Mark " Chopper " Read . Chopper puts on weight so Bana puts on weight , and I`m loathe to ask what Bana did in order to er ... how can I put it , that scene in the bar ! Did Mr Bana get a surgical extension ? That no doubt explains the title of the movie
Like I said there are some flaws to this movie which revolves around Chopper Read starting off as violent criminal to becoming best selling author ( A sort of Aussie Jimmy Boyle ) but his writing is only referred to within the last 10 minutes of the movie and I`m none the wiser as to what his books are about . One thing`s for sure but - His bestsellers can`t be half as bad as anything JK Rowling has scribbled . I also liked the poem sequence at the end though I guess just as many people will loathe it as like it
I do admire the producers honesty in pointing out that much of this screenplay is invented and I do wish more producers would do this , a pity that those of us such as myself who had never heard of Chopper Read have no idea what bits are true and what bits are fiction though . I guess that the way Chopper is written and played our sympathies should go out to him though we can`t condone what he`s done in life . I found it difficult to sympathise with this violent nutter myself but I guess anyone who asks
" Who did you f*** while I was inside ? " only to be met with the reply
" Everyone . I work in a brothel don`t I ? "
can`t actually be responsible for much of their own actions . Indeed Chopper is painted as a sad pathetic idiot though thankfully not as some type of victim
So I found CHOPPER to be violently disturbing and laugh out funny in equal measure , just like the first time I saw TAXI DRIVER . Have I mentioned that Eric Bana is going to become the world`s biggest movie star ?
Watching CHOPPER is somewhat like watching the young Deniro in TAXI DRIVER Bana`s performance more than makes up for the flaws in the movie , he`s not an actor playing a character - He is that character , he is Mark " Chopper " Read . Chopper puts on weight so Bana puts on weight , and I`m loathe to ask what Bana did in order to er ... how can I put it , that scene in the bar ! Did Mr Bana get a surgical extension ? That no doubt explains the title of the movie
Like I said there are some flaws to this movie which revolves around Chopper Read starting off as violent criminal to becoming best selling author ( A sort of Aussie Jimmy Boyle ) but his writing is only referred to within the last 10 minutes of the movie and I`m none the wiser as to what his books are about . One thing`s for sure but - His bestsellers can`t be half as bad as anything JK Rowling has scribbled . I also liked the poem sequence at the end though I guess just as many people will loathe it as like it
I do admire the producers honesty in pointing out that much of this screenplay is invented and I do wish more producers would do this , a pity that those of us such as myself who had never heard of Chopper Read have no idea what bits are true and what bits are fiction though . I guess that the way Chopper is written and played our sympathies should go out to him though we can`t condone what he`s done in life . I found it difficult to sympathise with this violent nutter myself but I guess anyone who asks
" Who did you f*** while I was inside ? " only to be met with the reply
" Everyone . I work in a brothel don`t I ? "
can`t actually be responsible for much of their own actions . Indeed Chopper is painted as a sad pathetic idiot though thankfully not as some type of victim
So I found CHOPPER to be violently disturbing and laugh out funny in equal measure , just like the first time I saw TAXI DRIVER . Have I mentioned that Eric Bana is going to become the world`s biggest movie star ?
The Portrait Of A Sociopath
gogoschka-111 February 2018
Like many of the best films, CHOPPER isn't about one thing, and it doesn't tell one story. It's a film about life on the fringes of society, about the lasting effect of growing up in an unstable, violent environment; it's about mental illness and the less glamorous (and thus in film rarely depicted) aspects of the life of a gangster and career criminal. Most of all though, it's one of the most fascinating character studies I've ever seen with a tour-de-force performance by Eric Bana that is never less than superb. This was only the debut feature by director Andrew Dominik, but it's the meticulously crafted masterwork of a driven artist that deserves to be mentioned together with the best debut films by directors of his generation (it would take him 7 years to confirm with his sophomore film, the excellent THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD (2007) that he wasn't a one-hit wonder). Once you've seen this raw, shocking, at times darkly funny portrayal of a sociopath you'll understand why it single-handedly launched Eric Bana's international career. A truly excellent film. 9 Stars out of 10.
In case you're interested in more underrated masterpieces, here's some of my favorites:
imdb.com/list/ls070242495
In case you're interested in more underrated masterpieces, here's some of my favorites:
imdb.com/list/ls070242495
Chop, chop, chop, little Chopper chops
tomimt19 May 2005
Thruth and fiction blend in a fun and in some places gross story about the most known criminal of Australia, Mark "Chopper" Reed. Now, I am not Australian, nor have I read Choppers books, so I really can't say how accurate this movie is to towards it's sources but what I can say it does work quite well as a movie.
And as it is stated in the film, the story isn't a salute towards crime, so it doesn't try to be truthful to the max
Chopper (Eric Bana) is a man with a dream: to become most notorious man of Australia. This he tries to achieve by doing crimes, looting and murders but not drugs. He also exaggerates his stories, so no-one actually knows what he has done and in what extent. This give possibilities to tell same stuff from the point of view of other occupants.
Good film, mostly because of brilliant acting by Bana. Defintly his best movie (as an actor) to date.
And as it is stated in the film, the story isn't a salute towards crime, so it doesn't try to be truthful to the max
Chopper (Eric Bana) is a man with a dream: to become most notorious man of Australia. This he tries to achieve by doing crimes, looting and murders but not drugs. He also exaggerates his stories, so no-one actually knows what he has done and in what extent. This give possibilities to tell same stuff from the point of view of other occupants.
Good film, mostly because of brilliant acting by Bana. Defintly his best movie (as an actor) to date.
The Art of Story Telling
DaveDiggler3 August 2009
Andrew Dominik writes and directs his film debut of Australian crime legend turned best selling author, Mark "Chopper" Read (who can't even spell and claims to be nearly illiterate as he spouts a big mocking laugh right in the faces of everyone). Bana in the title role completely owns this character and goes through a gaudy transformation, producing one of the most fascinating performances you will ever find. A performance that should be as legendary as the real life character in which it based on, is sadly overlooked and missed by many. A movie this low budget and this relatively unknown hinders the level of praise it will receive from fans and critics alike, but it's one that should be sought out by anyone with the least bit of interest because it doesn't disappoint. Bana gives the performance of the year and one of the best the decade has to offer. He truly captures the charisma of Read. He's also convincing when he puts a bullet in someone's knee or head, or stabs them to death and leaves them in a pool of their own blood. Completely driven by paranoia, jealousy and speed, Chopper corners himself into a room and finds a nice cozy spot all by himself. He's pitted against anyone and everyone, which is beautifully captured in the films final moments. Out of fear he's forced to kill or be killed. He has no friends, and the friends he does have attempt to kill him because of the dire circumstances he puts himself in. He has a sense of charm and infectious attitude that attract people to him when he's sober. He's seemingly incapable of murder, until he's struck the wrong way at the wrong time, then anything is possible. Whether it be the guards in the prison, the media, or the people of Australia, Mark "Chopper" Read is as fascinating as they come.
Dominik really has shown to be extremely interested and captivated by the art of storytelling, and how fact and fiction can become blurred or distorted. We see multiple scenes where an event will unfold, then we'll hear "Chopper" tell the story of what happened, then we'll hear someone else tell the story in a completely different manner. One thing Chopper loved to do was tell a story. He loved to fascinate and make people laugh. Sometimes he had to bend the truth and make certain events a little more entertaining, or more intense, because that's what storytelling is: Bending the truth and amplifying certain facts while downgrading, or disregarding others. This is way when "Chopper" tells Read's story the audience feels all the emotions he felt during that time. Dominik captures this beautifully. One great scene portrays Chopper getting stabbed by his own friend, and the pure shock that he felt by getting stabbed by his friend is illustrated in a way that's incredibly unusual and surprisingly hilarious. Like Chopper, we can find humor in some of the most odd and unexpected places. "Chopper" is one of the best films of the year, and Bana gives the performance of a lifetime.
Dominik really has shown to be extremely interested and captivated by the art of storytelling, and how fact and fiction can become blurred or distorted. We see multiple scenes where an event will unfold, then we'll hear "Chopper" tell the story of what happened, then we'll hear someone else tell the story in a completely different manner. One thing Chopper loved to do was tell a story. He loved to fascinate and make people laugh. Sometimes he had to bend the truth and make certain events a little more entertaining, or more intense, because that's what storytelling is: Bending the truth and amplifying certain facts while downgrading, or disregarding others. This is way when "Chopper" tells Read's story the audience feels all the emotions he felt during that time. Dominik captures this beautifully. One great scene portrays Chopper getting stabbed by his own friend, and the pure shock that he felt by getting stabbed by his friend is illustrated in a way that's incredibly unusual and surprisingly hilarious. Like Chopper, we can find humor in some of the most odd and unexpected places. "Chopper" is one of the best films of the year, and Bana gives the performance of a lifetime.
Original and disturbing
Chris_Docker3 December 2000
This is an intelligently made, if at times very violent, film providing a fictionalized account of a real life Australian murderer who went on to write best selling books about his own life. that in itself raises some unpalatable questions, but although Chopper is not a movie for viewers with weak stomachs it is nevertheless an original contribution to independent film-making.
Best portrayal of a psychopath since Taxi Driver
psib0rg10 July 2006
Not for the faint of heart this movie gives a grim insight into the mind and life of a career psychopath. Many of you will know or know of people like 'Chopper' and most of you probably cross the road when you see them coming. Based 'on fact' some portions are a bit too over the top to be fully believed but the movie makes apology for this from the outset. Eric Bana's performance is simply awe inspiring and the supporting characters and performances throughout are believable, convincing and multi-layered. Despite 'Chopper's obvious mental problems, his manipulative charm, animal cunning and the intelligence behind the insanity all shine through Bana's eyes. Direction is tight and non-intrusive, almost documentary style and i must say it works really well. Its one of those films you very quickly forget your watching a movie. While i do enjoy flashy and creative camera usage some films don't need it, this is one of them. The story is funny, sad and shocking in almost equal measure and this is one 'little' movie i'm very glad i stumbled across, thoroughly recommended viewing, i give it a 9/10. Congratulations to all on worked on this, you made a rough diamond.
Chopper Read cut down to size, in both a physical and observational sense as the life and times of a hard bodied man is explored.
johnnyboyz28 February 2010
Chopper begins with a group of men huddled in a cramped prison cell watching a television that it would appear has been placed especially within. They're watching a programme about one of the three men; that man is Mark Brandon Read, an Australian made somewhat famous for his infamy and who goes by the nickname of "Chopper". Eric Bana's steely gaze as the convict dominates the sequence, the film lingering on his expression in close up format as he himself remains locked on a TV programme detailing his very exploits. Through lingering on Read's expression, a sense of glee at his actions as one of his victims explains how the very onlooker once harmed him, the audience are invited to realise a viewpoint, or perspective, of the man; one from the point of view of a victim whilst systematically cutting to the guy for what he is, sitting there in the flesh and watching on. The film is more interested in the figure of Chopper than the news report, essentially setting up what Andrew Dominik 's 2000 film is all about: the getting to know what made Chopper who he is away from all the television and the media opinions.
The film is mostly all of one long flashback, one that'll begin in 1978 therefore allowing us to observe ourselves mostly everything that made Chopper who he is up to that point in prison, circa 1991. In introducing Chopper as a jail-dwelling; steely eyed; tattooed individual whom watches accounts of men he's maimed in the past on TV informing everyone of how bad/evil/nasty he is, the film sets up a pretty stone-wall image of the man during the early exchanges. What follows is a film that doesn't' excuse what Chopper did or what he is, but rather explores how he came about obtaining both his physical and media-driven image and aura. When the film has come full circle and we end up in the prison cell again, there's a moment one of the guards appears sad that the time has come for the TV report to conclude; both guards to leave and for the door to be slammed shut and locked. The guard looked sad, but there was an additional degree of acceptance in his face - Chopper Read may well be a funny, charismatic and involving guy but he's done what he's done in the past and that time which arrives that'll see the jail house door slam shut is a sad realisation that he's there as a result of his flaws more-so his enthusiasm for what he does.
When the tale of who he is, why he is begins in Pentridge Prison in the late 1970s; the film waits for all of about five minutes to use this frightening and unhinged aura about the man it built up by way of all the talk in the opening. Chopper's a violent man and the film is accordingly so, with one of its more gruesome scenes playing out in the tough manner that it does because it's blood-letting and maiming which is self inflicted by way of a third party. Whilst not a direct action of one character on another, Chopper's drive to get out of the prison division he's in and get relocated sees him take measures that see him loose parts of both ears.
Chopper is the sort of film that'll see a person stab another, several times whilst in prison, before have the pair of them sit down some years later in an apartment and just talk. Chopper's like that, there's a really odd atmosphere about it; a brooding sense that there'll be an emoting of anger just around the corner all put across by way of an odd blue tint that drowns out most other colours and emphasises the grime and the dark most locations possess. The film presents Chopper as a distinctive figure, whereas most of his prison inmates in the early scenes sport long hair and huge moustaches; Chopper doesn't have any of anything. His shaven head and minimal facial hair aid in our association with him as this alienated figure from everyone else, to the point it appears his own friendships have run aground. Chopper's physical appearance in his hard, muscular and tattoo-clad body further pushes him away from his fellow inmates as this tale of how a society; a culture; a nation eventually bordered on a kind of infatuation with the man.
Just as Chopper's body is put through a wringer of stab wounds and ear mutilation, his mind goes through a similarly rough period of anguish. Once out of prison in the 1980s, and out with girlfriend Tanya (Beahan), he eyes a man named Neville (Colosimo) who he believes was seeing his partner during his time inside. The camera sticks with Chopper's face complete with stare, again in close up format, as a series of strobe lights flash across his face – a storm brewing on the inside, a series of explosions built on rage going off behind the steely face. The film will use the three primary colours of red, green and blue to blend together to create a spectrum of hate; threat and supposed forgiveness at various times; maintaining a blue tint throughout with, later on, a mini-bar at Neville's home being drowned out by some blood red lighting as further tempers fray and hatred reaches a peak. This, as Chopper's conversation with a former best friend-turned-betrayer and consequent enemy is covered in a green tint, suggesting calm or neutralness as they sit amidst drug infused squalor and talk uneasily. Chopper's an interesting film; a combining of smut and grot with some odd sequences of a post-modern sort channelling an aesthetic akin to something like 1996's Trainspotting. Dominik would later revisit this idea of studying a menace to society in his 2007 Jesse James film; but Chopper's detailing of a guy with a bizarrely attuned celebrity status plus violent streak is worth seeing by itself.
The film is mostly all of one long flashback, one that'll begin in 1978 therefore allowing us to observe ourselves mostly everything that made Chopper who he is up to that point in prison, circa 1991. In introducing Chopper as a jail-dwelling; steely eyed; tattooed individual whom watches accounts of men he's maimed in the past on TV informing everyone of how bad/evil/nasty he is, the film sets up a pretty stone-wall image of the man during the early exchanges. What follows is a film that doesn't' excuse what Chopper did or what he is, but rather explores how he came about obtaining both his physical and media-driven image and aura. When the film has come full circle and we end up in the prison cell again, there's a moment one of the guards appears sad that the time has come for the TV report to conclude; both guards to leave and for the door to be slammed shut and locked. The guard looked sad, but there was an additional degree of acceptance in his face - Chopper Read may well be a funny, charismatic and involving guy but he's done what he's done in the past and that time which arrives that'll see the jail house door slam shut is a sad realisation that he's there as a result of his flaws more-so his enthusiasm for what he does.
When the tale of who he is, why he is begins in Pentridge Prison in the late 1970s; the film waits for all of about five minutes to use this frightening and unhinged aura about the man it built up by way of all the talk in the opening. Chopper's a violent man and the film is accordingly so, with one of its more gruesome scenes playing out in the tough manner that it does because it's blood-letting and maiming which is self inflicted by way of a third party. Whilst not a direct action of one character on another, Chopper's drive to get out of the prison division he's in and get relocated sees him take measures that see him loose parts of both ears.
Chopper is the sort of film that'll see a person stab another, several times whilst in prison, before have the pair of them sit down some years later in an apartment and just talk. Chopper's like that, there's a really odd atmosphere about it; a brooding sense that there'll be an emoting of anger just around the corner all put across by way of an odd blue tint that drowns out most other colours and emphasises the grime and the dark most locations possess. The film presents Chopper as a distinctive figure, whereas most of his prison inmates in the early scenes sport long hair and huge moustaches; Chopper doesn't have any of anything. His shaven head and minimal facial hair aid in our association with him as this alienated figure from everyone else, to the point it appears his own friendships have run aground. Chopper's physical appearance in his hard, muscular and tattoo-clad body further pushes him away from his fellow inmates as this tale of how a society; a culture; a nation eventually bordered on a kind of infatuation with the man.
Just as Chopper's body is put through a wringer of stab wounds and ear mutilation, his mind goes through a similarly rough period of anguish. Once out of prison in the 1980s, and out with girlfriend Tanya (Beahan), he eyes a man named Neville (Colosimo) who he believes was seeing his partner during his time inside. The camera sticks with Chopper's face complete with stare, again in close up format, as a series of strobe lights flash across his face – a storm brewing on the inside, a series of explosions built on rage going off behind the steely face. The film will use the three primary colours of red, green and blue to blend together to create a spectrum of hate; threat and supposed forgiveness at various times; maintaining a blue tint throughout with, later on, a mini-bar at Neville's home being drowned out by some blood red lighting as further tempers fray and hatred reaches a peak. This, as Chopper's conversation with a former best friend-turned-betrayer and consequent enemy is covered in a green tint, suggesting calm or neutralness as they sit amidst drug infused squalor and talk uneasily. Chopper's an interesting film; a combining of smut and grot with some odd sequences of a post-modern sort channelling an aesthetic akin to something like 1996's Trainspotting. Dominik would later revisit this idea of studying a menace to society in his 2007 Jesse James film; but Chopper's detailing of a guy with a bizarrely attuned celebrity status plus violent streak is worth seeing by itself.
Say Goodnight To Uncle Chop
daveisit22 November 2000
This movie was not intended to be solely funny, but with Eric Bana in the lead it was always going to make you laugh. His denial of pain and causing injury while at times hard to watch is also hilarious. Chopper's laugh often steals the show, coming at what appear to be inappropriate times.
It's a brilliant movie with great direction and performances. I'll go an 8 out of 10.
It's a brilliant movie with great direction and performances. I'll go an 8 out of 10.
Great performance from Bana
ignatz92815 June 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Crime movies have traditionally been criticized for glamorizing their subjects, and often with justice. There has long exsited a tangled relationship between fictional and actual crime, with real crooks basing their behavior on fiction at least as often as the other way around. The Australian film Chopper is particularly relevant to these issues, for it depicts a real-life criminal who has become a sort of twisted media personality Down Under by writing a series of bestsellers about his violent exploits. You could say that a movie like this is profoundly immoral in how it publicizes a scumbag like Chopper, who is said to have gained his nickname by cutting off his victims' toes. To the degree that the movie avoids this, it is due to the visual scheme and Eric Bana's performance as Chopper. Chopper makes Joe Pesci's psychotic GoodFella Tommy look like a model citizen. Bana was a stand-up comedian before being cast in the film, and he brings to the role a likable, jovial heartiness that makes Chopper's sudden shifts to savagery all the more chilling. Chopper often apologizes to his victims after attacking them, and the most bizarre- and funny- thing about his apologies is that they're sincere. In a prison scene, after mutilating another prisoner, he then tries to justify his actions to the man, who is lying on the floor in a puddle of blood. Later, when Chopper's best friend repeatedly stabs him in retaliation, he doesn't even react to the pain, and instead acts emotionally hurt by the betrayal. Not just Chopper himself, but the whole criminal subculture shown in the movie, is sleazy and repulsive, without a hint of glamor. Though the movie's sordid quality, paradoxically enough, is morally satisfying, it also isn't very entertaining. The director, Andrew Dominick, employs flashy visual tricks to effectively limited use, while filming most of the action in a restrained, austere style that reinforces the banality of the characters. Consequently, the movie starts to feel somewhat repetitive and dull. Dominick shows some talent, but in the end, it's Bana who carries the show.
tabloid tv comes to the theater
lumpynose29 June 2003
At first I thought this movie was meant to be funny; the brutal, grisly, violence is so over the top that you laugh in that sort of crazy disbelieving way. But after a while you realize that it's not meant to be funny.
One the one hand, not knowing anything about the real person Chopper I wondered why anyone would want to make such a non-judgemental movie about someone who was obviously very messed up. Then after watching the bonus material on the DVD I realized that the movie makers were just cashing in on his notoriety. Apparently Chopper was very popular with the low brow types who are entertained by weirdo misfits out in left field. And the pseudo arty types love to think that doing movies about misfits is true art; it's so much easier than doing something that requires true creativity.
It's a great movie if you love tabloid tv; Oprah interviewing some messed up person who was sexually abused by her parents, Jeraldo interviewing neo Nazis, etc. It's not a movie that makes you think; it simply titilates those who like to sift stuff out of the gutter of life.
One the one hand, not knowing anything about the real person Chopper I wondered why anyone would want to make such a non-judgemental movie about someone who was obviously very messed up. Then after watching the bonus material on the DVD I realized that the movie makers were just cashing in on his notoriety. Apparently Chopper was very popular with the low brow types who are entertained by weirdo misfits out in left field. And the pseudo arty types love to think that doing movies about misfits is true art; it's so much easier than doing something that requires true creativity.
It's a great movie if you love tabloid tv; Oprah interviewing some messed up person who was sexually abused by her parents, Jeraldo interviewing neo Nazis, etc. It's not a movie that makes you think; it simply titilates those who like to sift stuff out of the gutter of life.
Chopper; rough title, intense movie
~PL~16 March 2002
Chopper is a great film. Andrew Dominik, the director, did a splendid job. The film seems so realistic, the brutality, the dialogues, the places, the characters, it's all so well adapted to the kind of movie that Chopper is. The acting is really amazing, especially from Eric Bana, who plays Chopper. This man has the talent to make every single feeling of his character visible, and realistic. The violence, while being pretty graphic and brutal, isn't gratuitous or exaggerated (except for some scenes with too much blood letting). The violence "hits" the viewer, just like he was feeling the pain, it's very well reproduced. The character of Chopper is interesting, as a man who's trying to be a real tough criminal, but still has some feelings...it's Natural Born Killers with nuances...With funny moments, great acting, nicely-written scenario and one very interesting character, Chopper delivers that: Dark humor, attaching characters, great scenario, violence (for the people who like it), and it's a very nice movie. Eric Bana has a lot of future in acting...and Andrew Dominik is a great director that should definitely continue in this business. Chopper is very enjoyable. I give it 8/10.
An unusual, intriguing, entertaining bio-pic
itamarscomix9 January 2012
In telling the story of Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read, one of Australia's most famous criminals, the script combined Read's own autobiographical bestseller with what actually happened, which makes for an interesting, sometimes confusing blend of reality and invention. That mix makes for a very interesting watch, even if there's not enough material for a satisfying film; it could have been a thirty-minute film and achieved about the same level of success, and it doesn't leave you with any clear notion of what you saw. Chopper doesn't quite work out as a biography or even a character study, but it's an intriguing document on violence and violent people, and about what makes the same people land in trouble again and again.
On top of that, it's also pretty entertaining. Eric Bana is terrific in the lead. Not being from Australia myself, I first became aware of Bana as a leading man in American mainstream films like Troy and Hulk, where he always struck me as dull and uncharismatic, but finding out that he was a successful comedian is his native country first makes a lot of sense after seeing his disturbing, layered and very funny performance as Chopper. It's difficult to call it a comedy - don't expect a crime farce like Snatch, because there's very little of that going on. But Chopper's character is outrageous enough to be entertaining throughout.
On top of that, it's also pretty entertaining. Eric Bana is terrific in the lead. Not being from Australia myself, I first became aware of Bana as a leading man in American mainstream films like Troy and Hulk, where he always struck me as dull and uncharismatic, but finding out that he was a successful comedian is his native country first makes a lot of sense after seeing his disturbing, layered and very funny performance as Chopper. It's difficult to call it a comedy - don't expect a crime farce like Snatch, because there's very little of that going on. But Chopper's character is outrageous enough to be entertaining throughout.
Bana Rules
billcr1214 April 2013
Chopper is the nickname of Mark Brandon Read, a notorious real life criminal whose crimes were chronicled in a best selling book by him. Eric Bana plays Read to perfection. An early scene brings to mind the Michael Madsen ear slicing portion of Reservoir Dogs. The camera stays on Bana for 90 percent of the hour and a half running time; and not a minute is wasted. The style is similar to the equally vicious Bronson, which also deals with an infamous Australian criminal. Both are must see movies for anyone who is a fan a the crime genre. The sardonic humor is the sort typically associated with films from Down Under. Just to watch Bana chew up the screen with the look of an actual sociopath, is worth the price of the DVD rental. The New York Times of April 13, 2013 has a profile of Mark Brandon Read which is an excellent companion to this adaptation. Do not miss Chopper.
Fantastic performance by Bana.
martinmidt22 April 2014
I usually don't write reviews, but I have to comment here on how frighteningly well Eric Bana portrays Mark Read. Everything from his seemingly good-natured sociopathy to his mannerisms and way of speaking jumps out at you and grabs your attention.
I never considered Eric Bana more than a handsome face, but he clearly is. This performance is mesmerizing.
Other characters are also portrayed admirably well by a supporting cast that is unfamiliar to most non-Australians.
The movie as a whole suffers a bit from it's untraditional structure and some experimental choices that does not improve the end result. Being based on Reads own writings the story does not follow a traditional arc, which is both a strength and a weakness.
In my opinion the producers have gone a bit overboard with the bleak/grimy blue, green and red filters, and to me it becomes distracting rather than providing the mood intended.
All in all "Chopper" is well worth the watch just to see how good Bana can be when he is actually challenged.
I never considered Eric Bana more than a handsome face, but he clearly is. This performance is mesmerizing.
Other characters are also portrayed admirably well by a supporting cast that is unfamiliar to most non-Australians.
The movie as a whole suffers a bit from it's untraditional structure and some experimental choices that does not improve the end result. Being based on Reads own writings the story does not follow a traditional arc, which is both a strength and a weakness.
In my opinion the producers have gone a bit overboard with the bleak/grimy blue, green and red filters, and to me it becomes distracting rather than providing the mood intended.
All in all "Chopper" is well worth the watch just to see how good Bana can be when he is actually challenged.
Outstanding movie, all around!!!
mawbies8 January 2011
Highly stylized and violent, this has remained one of my favorite movies of all time, and is one of the few movies I'm holding onto as I continually downsize my DVD collection. Eric Bana's portrayal of Chopper is excellent, and really shows what a talented, high-caliber actor he really is. Anyone who enjoys movies about Psychopaths, Sociopaths, Killers, Criminals and the like, such as Taxi Driver, Natural Born Killers, Devil's Rejects, etc. should really be into this. The character Chopper is pretty much completely crazy but still intelligent, funny and likable. He is a criminal that really only victimizes other criminals and other "scalawags," and his behavior is generally disturbing and amusing at the same time. I saw it on a whim after seeing Bana in Blackhawk Down and this movie really put him at the top of my favorite actors list. The story is well told and the cinematography is unique and interesting. Overall, a very, very good movie. Highly recommended!
Australian psycho
paul2001sw-12 March 2006
Cinema's fascination with serial killers often seems overdone: are such freaks really so interesting? But 'Chopper', the story of an Australian psychopath, is an immaculately made film, and a terrifying portrait of a man utterly unsocialised, but completely human. Eric Bana is superb in the role, and the underside of Australin life is depicted without any glamour, although the film itself, by its very nature, can only add to the real killer's mystique. And with no point of emotional attachment, one is left wondering, what is this film actually for, beyond the mere depiction of awfulness? Perhaps the Choppers of this world are really best forgotten.
Neville F*****g Bartos
patihahead28 March 2017
What an entertaining movie. Definitely worth a watch. It might be my twisted sense of humour but, even the tragic parts I found hilarious. Aside from that its a gritty fun (i guess true story) film with top performances all round. I don't want to give anything away so I suggest a few beers and this movie... don't forget the pizza too.
A little more detail would have helped...
mentalcritic21 October 2000
Chopper is an interesting biopic of Tasmania's least favourite son, Mark Brandon Read. It shows in unflinching detail why Mark is still one of Australia's most notorious criminals, as well as the fact that something is seriously wrong with Australia as a society. Australia likes to tell itself that it is the greatest country on Earth, and every citizen has everything they need. The mere existence of Mark Brandon Read, as well as the confirmable facts of his life story, is a direct slap in the face to people who buy this myth.
Kudos are also due director Andrew Dominik. A lesser director would have portrayed Read in more glowing terms for fear of angering the man himself, but this film elevates itself by sticking to the facts between certain birthdays that occurred and can be verified, portraying them with an objective viewpoint. The film is neither pro-Chopper nor anti-Chopper. It is just, as the title indicates, Chopper.
The film covers three distinct periods in Read's lifetime. The first is one of his early incarcerations as a young man. Here, a gang war turns nasty when Chopper kills a rival in the daily power struggles that constitute prison life. Anyone who thinks that Quentin Tarantino has a clue about depicting violence of any kind, leave alone an ear-removal, would be well-advised to catch this section of the film. The accuracy with which stab wounds and impromptu amputations are depicted is really quite frightening. The second part of the film depicts Chopper on the outside, and it is interesting to see how just because he doesn't live behind bars anymore doesn't mean he doesn't behave like a caged animal. The third phase shows Read back in prison, closing the film with a rather despairing shot of Read, as impersonated by Eric Bana, sitting el solitary in his prison cell. They say crime doesn't pay, but this is the first film to make the message so hard-hitting.
The only real problem of Chopper is that it doesn't go into enough detail about who the characters are and why they do the things they do. Everyone in the Australian audience knows who the title character is, but the other characters, and by extension the reasons why Chopper kills some of them, are left vague. This is okay if you know who these people are and what they did, but to understand that under any other circumstances, you would probably have to read the books. It is also important to remember that a lot of the characters in the films are combinations, rather than renditions, of different people from Chopper's accounts.
Still, if I can go through an Australian film and only find a single fault, it's amazing. Chopper is highly recommended as long as you don't take it seriously (as some of its critics seem to be doing). The man himself says never let the truth get in the way of a good yarn, and I am inclined to agree. I gave Chopper a seven out of ten.
Kudos are also due director Andrew Dominik. A lesser director would have portrayed Read in more glowing terms for fear of angering the man himself, but this film elevates itself by sticking to the facts between certain birthdays that occurred and can be verified, portraying them with an objective viewpoint. The film is neither pro-Chopper nor anti-Chopper. It is just, as the title indicates, Chopper.
The film covers three distinct periods in Read's lifetime. The first is one of his early incarcerations as a young man. Here, a gang war turns nasty when Chopper kills a rival in the daily power struggles that constitute prison life. Anyone who thinks that Quentin Tarantino has a clue about depicting violence of any kind, leave alone an ear-removal, would be well-advised to catch this section of the film. The accuracy with which stab wounds and impromptu amputations are depicted is really quite frightening. The second part of the film depicts Chopper on the outside, and it is interesting to see how just because he doesn't live behind bars anymore doesn't mean he doesn't behave like a caged animal. The third phase shows Read back in prison, closing the film with a rather despairing shot of Read, as impersonated by Eric Bana, sitting el solitary in his prison cell. They say crime doesn't pay, but this is the first film to make the message so hard-hitting.
The only real problem of Chopper is that it doesn't go into enough detail about who the characters are and why they do the things they do. Everyone in the Australian audience knows who the title character is, but the other characters, and by extension the reasons why Chopper kills some of them, are left vague. This is okay if you know who these people are and what they did, but to understand that under any other circumstances, you would probably have to read the books. It is also important to remember that a lot of the characters in the films are combinations, rather than renditions, of different people from Chopper's accounts.
Still, if I can go through an Australian film and only find a single fault, it's amazing. Chopper is highly recommended as long as you don't take it seriously (as some of its critics seem to be doing). The man himself says never let the truth get in the way of a good yarn, and I am inclined to agree. I gave Chopper a seven out of ten.
Demented, disturbed and delightful
hacness19 January 2006
Look at Eric Bana, he is a hot, studly Hollywood actor. I know this because I have oogled over him in his post-Chopper movies. I only discovered Chopper after seeing him in such movies as Troy and The Hulk, and I'm glad I did. What a treat it was to see him in this fabulous indie film before he became a Hollywood sex God. No, he was not the handsome, dashing Aussie fellow that American females have been drooling over since his role as Prince Hector in the cheese-filled film Troy, but instead he showed us that he really can act and take on a very difficult role and do it with real grace. The physical transformation he underwent to play Chopper is insane. Imagine that just a short time later he was playing a fit and sexy Delta boy in Black Hawk Down. That, in and of itself, it quite impressive. I've always been a fan of the demented and dark comedies, and love movies like Pulp Fiction, but Chopper takes the cake. This movie has all the comedic violence of Pulp Fiction, but portrays it in a grittier and more subtle way. This movie makes you think, and it's more than just good fights and death scenes, it's really artful. Eric does such a wonderful job making you love this truly despicable character.
Choppy
wes-connors5 March 2013
In an Australian prison, knife-wielding Eric Bana (as Mark "Chopper" Brandon Read) slashes a fellow prisoner in the jugular. Possibly, this is because Mr. Bana does not like his victim's hair. He has covered bald spots with shoe polish. The man bleeds to death. Soon thereafter, Bana's boyhood pal and jail buddy Simon Lyndon (as James "Jimmy" Richard Loughnan) repeatedly stabs Bana. This scene appears to symbolically "copulate" Bana and Mr. Lyndon, who has very nice hair. Bana survives penetration super-hero-style and then chops off his ears to get out of maximum security. Out of jail, he hooks up with old acquaintances and decides to shoot some of them. He pulls out both his pistol and his penis. All of this is nicely acted. The character "Chopper" comes across well, but the film manages to say very little intriguing about him.
****** Chopper (8/3/00) Andrew Dominik ~ Eric Bana, Simon Lyndon, David Field, Daniel Wyllie
****** Chopper (8/3/00) Andrew Dominik ~ Eric Bana, Simon Lyndon, David Field, Daniel Wyllie
Diary of a Fool
evgeneiac16 May 2013
This is 94 minutes of watching Chopper wander about town and shooting people at random. It becomes clear about 15 minutes in to the movie that Mark Read is as deluded about his self- importance as the film is about it's ability to say anything interesting.
Eric Bana does a nice job of delivering the BS that constantly flows from Read's mouth. He comes across and eloquent despite the shallow material.
Cinematography is well done. Colors are wrong in almost every scene of the movie as if it was filmed in the wrong light or with expired film. It emphasizes the insanity of Read's world while also making it feel like personal snapshots of the world in which he lived.
Eric Bana does a nice job of delivering the BS that constantly flows from Read's mouth. He comes across and eloquent despite the shallow material.
Cinematography is well done. Colors are wrong in almost every scene of the movie as if it was filmed in the wrong light or with expired film. It emphasizes the insanity of Read's world while also making it feel like personal snapshots of the world in which he lived.
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