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Chopper

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Chopper (2001)

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Reviews Counted:64

Fresh:45

Rotten:19

Average Rating:6.4/10

Consensus: Eric Bana's performance as the charming but twisted Chopper is the highlight of this disturbing portrait about Australia's notorious author/criminal.

Runtime: 1 hr 33 mins

Genre: Dramas

Synopsis: Australian comedian Eric Bana is Mark "Chopper" Read, a legendary criminal who wrote his best-selling autobiography, FROM THE INSIDE, while serving a murder sentence in prison. Beginning in the... Australian comedian Eric Bana is Mark "Chopper" Read, a legendary criminal who wrote his best-selling autobiography, FROM THE INSIDE, while serving a murder sentence in prison. Beginning in the blue-washed light of a maximum security Melbourne prison, Chopper establishes his dominance with the impulsive knifing of a fellow prisoner. Vaccillating between violence and regret, Chopper apologizes to his victim, but his good mate Jimmy (Simon Lyndon) later retaliates against Chopper in an excruciating contract stabbing, rife with sexual tension. Finally released from prison, the heavily-tattooed Chopper has lost the better part of both of his ears, as well as the ability to make any distinction between his own made-up stories and reality. At a nightclub with his prostitute girlfriend, Tanya (Kate Beahan), he runs into Neville (Vince Colosimo), an old victim who limps from the attack but glitters in drug-funded gold. In his paranoia, Chopper connects rumors of a new contract on his life to Neville, Tanya, and his old mate Jimmy, to whom he pays a visit and discovers a man rotting from drug abuse. Alternately wickedly funny and grotesque, CHOPPER gives no easy answer to the question of Chopper Read's motives, but his method is clear, "Ya bash people for no reason, just to get a name for yourself." [More]

Starring: Eric Bana, Simon Lyndon, Dan Wyllie, David Field

Starring: Eric Bana, Simon Lyndon, Dan Wyllie, David Field, Bill Young, Vince Colosmo, Kenny Graham, Kate Beahan

Director: Andrew Dominik

Director: Andrew Dominik
Screenwriter: Andrew Dominik
Producer: Michele Bennett
Studio: First Look

[See More Credits]

Reviews for Chopper

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41 - 60 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Whether or not you care if Chopper lives or dies, you simply can't take your eyes off him.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
05/11/01
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

Compelling and funny even when it is indiscriminately splattering blood.

Full Review Source: Detroit Free Press | comment Comment
05/04/01
Terry Lawson
Terry Lawson
Detroit Free Press

A stylish, arresting, disturbing film.

comment Comment
05/04/01
Jay Carr
Jay Carr
Boston Globe

Bana so inhabits his part as Chopper that it becomes hard to belief that he is just acting.

Full Review Source: Internet Reviews | comment Comment
05/04/01
Steve Rhodes
Steve Rhodes
Internet Reviews

You walk away from Chopper feeling like you've met the man himself.

Full Review Source: Reel.com | comment Comment
04/27/01
Tor Thorsen
Tor Thorsen
Reel.com

If not quite pornography of violence, it comes sniffingly close.

Full Review Source: San Diego Union-Tribune | comment Comment
04/27/01
David Elliott
David Elliott
San Diego Union-Tribune

It's Eric Bana ... who justifies our interest with a dazzling performance of blunt humor, unpredictability and an edge of menace.

Full Review Source: San Francisco Chronicle | comment Comment
04/27/01
Edward Guthmann
Edward Guthmann
San Francisco Chronicle

Full of flawed, stylistic overdrive.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
04/18/01
Jeremiah Kipp
Jeremiah Kipp
Filmcritic.com

Dominik's direction is fresh and lively, and the camerawork is exceptional.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
04/16/01
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews

As the film quickly loses perspective of Chopper Read's alleged crimes and lifestyle, it begins to slowly glorify him as an icon of self-made celebrity.

Full Review Source: Matinee Magazine | comment Comment
04/15/01
Chuck Rudolph
Chuck Rudolph
Matinee Magazine

Dominik doesn't glamorize or glorify Chopper, but his film contributes to making Mark Brandon Read as mythical an Australian rogue as Ned Kelly.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
04/13/01
Kevin Thomas
Kevin Thomas
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

[Bana] makes Michael Madsen in Reservoir Dogs look like a lightweight.

Full Review Source: IFilm | comment Comment
04/13/01
Dave White
Dave White
IFilm

Too senseless and contrived to succeed as sociopathic comic opera, let alone as coherent character study.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
04/13/01
Owen Gleiberman
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly

Feels threatening from beginning to end.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Daily News | comment Comment
04/13/01
Bob Strauss
Bob Strauss
Los Angeles Daily News

It's not really worth the price of a visit to the art house, but might be worth a rental.

Full Review Source: Greenwich Village Gazette | comment Comment
04/12/01
Eric Lurio
Eric Lurio
Greenwich Village Gazette

For every viewer who is revolted, at least as many will probably be intrigued, if not charmed. For Chopper is nothing if not fearless.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
04/12/01
Stephen Holden
Stephen Holden
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A vivid portrait.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
04/12/01
Lou Lumenick
Lou Lumenick
New York Post

Strong, effective but often stomach-churning portrait.

comment Comment
04/12/01
Andy Klein
Andy Klein
New Times

The excitement and tension comes from never knowing when Chopper is really going to lose it.

Full Review Source: Associated Press | comment Comment
04/12/01
Anthony Breznican
Anthony Breznican
Associated Press

Thanks to the director's exceptional visual style, Chopper evokes a life of emotional baggage before a single word is spoken.

Full Review Source: Citysearch | comment Comment
04/12/01
Sean O'Connell
Sean O'Connell
Citysearch
 
 
41 - 60 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 >> >|
all

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