Raw Authenticity Elevates Genre

Read Time:3 Minute, 55 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Chopper
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Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Year Released: 2000
Runtime: 1h 34m
Director(s): Andrew Dominik
Writer(s): Mark Brandon Read, Andrew Dominik
Cast: Eric Bana, Kate Beahan, Vince Colosimo, Simon Lyndon
Where To Watch: available October 30, 2023; pre-order here www.secondsightfilms.co.uk, or www.amazon.co.uk

RAVING REVIEW: Prepare to be whisked into the unnervingly captivating realm of CHOPPER, a film that stitches dark humor, brutality, and thought-provoking storytelling into a fascinating cinematic experience. From the get-go, it grips the audience with the promise of exploring the infamous, a journey as unconventional as it is unpredictable. Eric Bana’s transformative performance brilliantly oscillates between sheer terror and odd charm, vividly painting the Australian criminal as you’ve never expected.

Beyond the boundaries of a standard biographical film, CHOPPER thrusts viewers into the convoluted existence of Mark "Chopper" Read, a figure whose reality is a labyrinth of illusion. In his feature film directorial debut, Andrew Dominik (BLONDE, KILLING THEM SOFTLY) presents a narrative as tempestuous as Chopper himself, distilling the essence of a man who carved out his legacy quite figuratively. Yet the intrigue lies beyond the criminal deeds, focusing instead on the individual beneath the notorious façade, unraveling the enigmas within.

The trajectory of CHOPPER, from a concept to a full-fledged film, is nothing short of an odyssey. The film's struggle for creation amplifies its grit, plunging the audience into an experiential narrative. Shot within the historical confines of Melbourne's Pentridge Prison, the movie transcends conventional storytelling, fortified by Bana's remarkable portrayal of the unpredictable Chopper.

While echoing the soul of past crime dramas, it forges its path forward. Dominik revolutionizes this storytelling by integrating first-hand accounts and archived surveillance, contributing intricate layers to Chopper’s persona. Here, the film treads a delicate line, offering a humanized glimpse of a man otherwise recognized for his monstrous acts. This audacious insight into his post-crime turmoil and identity crisis amidst “fame” is where CHOPPER courts controversy.

The stark, forbidding prison atmosphere clashes with the chaotic disarray of Chopper's psyche, presented through dynamic cinematography that contradicts and mirrors his internal conflicts. Dominik adopts a quasi-documentary style that permits the plot’s innate darkness and macabre humor to shine. This subtlety, paired with the film's calm visual tone, presents a complex emotional quandary, making Chopper a perplexing subject of empathy.

CHOPPER is a courageous dive into the human psyche’s obscure corners, urging viewers to question their perceptions of truth and ethics. Its unflinching embrace of raw brutality and an undercurrent of disturbing comedy ensure it lingers in the mind long after viewing. In his portrayal of Chopper, Bana navigates a complex emotional landscape, creating an indelible impression that defies the norms of criminality and humanity. With its stark realism and disturbing jest, CHOPPER secures its legacy in cinematic history.

Special Features
– New Second Sight Films restoration from a 2K graded scan
– New audio commentary by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas & Josh Nelson
– Audio commentary with Director Andrew Dominik
– Audio commentary with Mark ‘Chopper’ Read
– Stand-up Comedy and Violence: A New Interview with Director Andrew Dominik
– Not Your Typical Film Composer: A New Interview with Composer Mick Harvey
– A Tale of Two Halves: A New Interview with Editor Ken Sallows
– Weekend With Chopper
– Chopper: Behind the Scenes
– Deleted Scenes with optional Director's commentary

Limited Edition Contents
– Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Nick Charge
– 70-page book with new essays by Thomas Caldwell, Sally Christie, Cerise Howard and Joanna McIntyre
– Six collectors' art cards

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[photo courtesy of SECOND SIGHT]

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