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Chopper (2000)

Director: Andrew Dominik

Average user rating
3 reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

Mark Brandon Read earned his nickname by removing his victim's lower digits. Brilliantly portrayed by stand-up comedian Bana, 'Chopper' is one of those boorish Australians who's everyone's best friend until he takes offence: if you're unfortunate enough to tap into his dark side, he'll be sure to blame you for it and the punishment will be twice as severe. With his twinkling grin, his tattoos and beer-bucket frame, he's a plausible heavy, but Bana also shows us his sentimental side. When a cellmate repeatedly stabs him in the chest out of fear and greed, Chopper's hurt by the betrayal, but unfazed by physical pain, as if he's been desensitised to violence of any kind. Later, on the outside, he calls on his treacherous friend and your stomach churns: we know this man is capable of anything. It's funny, too: that commonplace about laughter being a safety valve has never been nearer the knuckle. Writer/director Dominik filters his subject's emotional volatility through colour washes but steps back to expose his fear and loneliness, and the infantile delusions which spur him.

Author: TCh

Time Out Film Guide


User reviews of this film

  • Marsellus said...
    Posted on Jan 26 2011 16:11 With a great central performance from Eric Bana and a darkly-hilarious vein of humour running throughout, 'Chopper' is definitely a film to watch if you're into Australian crime history or crime films in general. Chopper is like Crocodile Dundee's evil brother; he has that trademark Aussie humour but he'll cut you up if you don't give him what he wants. You might not want to spend five minutes in the company of Mark 'Chopper' Read but spending a couple of hours watching this film is well worth your time.
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  • william said...
    Posted on Nov 13 2009 23:14 CHOPPER IS AMAZINGLY FULL OF RAGE AND COMES ONLY SECOND TO TONY MONTANA :SCARFACE:
    Report as inappropriate
  • Kev said...
    Posted on Mar 28 2009 19:37 So KEVISH, only basics love this film
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