Andrew McMurtryREVIEW: Chopper (2000)
November 2nd 2008 12:57
“Chopper” is the fictionalised portrait of Mark “Chopper” Read, probably one of Australia’s most infamous criminals. Yet today, probably because of this movie, he is kind of a cult hero of sorts despite his claims to having murdered 19 people, albeit many of them were drug lords and other criminals. But this representation of one of the most feared criminals in Australian history is strangely enthralling.
“Chopper” is played by Eric Bana, who seems to get inside the head of the eccentric mass murderer. He completes it with the rambling speeches to police and former enemies such as Neville. He is a homicidal maniac with seemingly no control over his aggression. This is shown by the nightclub scene, after turning up to the Bojangles nightclub, he sends chills through many of the patrons just by being there. He talks his way back into their trust but when all seems to be right, he opens fire in a nightclub after becoming paranoid because he didn’t think that Neville had truly forgiven him.
This is a great representation of an unhinged mass murderer, something that Eric Bana should be proud of. The terrifying thing is that this was a reality. This was how Chopper was in real life and many of the situations are taken from his actual exploits. A heavily tattooed man, Chopper was built like a slab of concrete, and he also seems to be impervious to pain, even after he stabbed in the stomach by one of his friends in prison. Paranoia would have also ruled his life as he would not know how or when, but just know that someone was out to kill him.
“Chopper” shows an Australia icon. Maybe not a good icon because he is the most infamous criminal in Australian history but an icon none the less. He is recognisably a recognisably Australian character. The rhetoric and colloquialism used is the Australian accent and also makes use of an ocker script. Cast is all Australian as well. Therefore, this is truly an Australian film. The setting is also Australian, including a prison setting and the urban setting of Melbourne. While the film is telling the audience that it is an Australian story, it is not saying “this is Australia and these are Australians”. There are bad people all around the world and, in Australia, Mark “Chopper” Read is as bad as they get. He is not a true representation of how Australians act. It is probably a film stating that this is the opposite of how people act. Despite this, as Tom O’Regan said “what Australian culture needed was contemporary representations, not nostalgia films.” And “Chopper” is a contemporary representation of the story of Australia’s most infamous criminal.
This is part of Australia’s history. It also deals with the culture of Australia with several references to stuff like, “I’ll buy you a drink.” and “He bought me drinks all night.” It also deals with the Melbourne underworld. He also describes himself as “Just a good bloke down on his luck.” which is a link to the Aussie battler. This is an important movie in understanding the criminal culture of Australia. This film serves only that part of the community.
The movie itself is great as well. The humour and rhetoric are both brilliant. Eric Bana is absolutely fantastic in this film. One of the best roles I've seen him in. The vision is also great, with great camera angles and a strange contrast and colour which creates a strange and unreal atmosphere, which is fair enough. When you watch the film, you think, how could this guy have been for real. Anyway, I'd give this film 4 out of 5.
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Comment by Lady Henrietta Muddling
Potter in a Harry
I wouldn't give a lot of movies 5 stars but there's nothing more they could have done with Chopper to make it a better film.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I see you've got a five reviews in the top ten, you must have been busy writing over the weekend!
Comment by Janet Collins
Acceptable Etiquette
The Social Critic
Janet Collins Blog
A particularly good performance by Eric Bana I must say.
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
There's something about it - Chopper sitting in that squalid apartment of his mate, Jimmy, cackling and saying:
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I must say, the comedian from the Ronnie Johns Half Hour does a brilliant impersonation of Mark Read as well. I see he's doing a Chopper show in Sydney very soon.