Andrew Dominik CHOPPER surfaced in the UK some 20 years ago. I saw it at the cinema, in one of a few limited screenings. It prefigured much looking back. One thing was Dominik interest in criminality and cultural expediency. Then, as now, the film was is also a document of Australian male culture or its toxic pieces (I hate this terms over use). Here now it is akin to WAKE IN FRIGHT in its passive brutality and also its framing of the lack of power of authority to restrict it. Mark ‘Chopper’ Read (Eric Bana) was a well known Australian criminal from Victoria. He spent his life in and out of correctional institutions. Seemingly learning little about what was wrong with his actions and more about how to get along. After a beef with another groups leader ends in murder and a bizarre hit attempt leaves him vulnerable, the state grant him immunity, in order to bring in some big fish. Much of this is true. Dominik plays on this absurdity well, casting a growing talent (and comedic mimic) Bana to play a larger than life, extrovert with a sense of the diabolic. Read after all, finds humour in explaining a version and vision of events that pre date Trumpian styled fake news.
CHOPPER was a national celebratory for his actions. This is not to say he was applauded, more like Charles Bronson (the British prisoner, not the actor). Dominik frames this attention and notoriety like a hallucinogenic construct. We are plied with the recollection of his criminal events but the lens is often blurred by reframing and recollection. Dominik extracts both the biography and the frame of mind in many ways via this. The events (though linear) are played for their absurdist quality. Which allows us to extrapolate the criminal horror unfolding. Bana is extremely good as the agent for it all. His ability to get the measure of the man is glorious. Including his gold teeth, tattoos and a stubby shotgun but his manner is key. Dominik’s direction is refreshing and combined with Bana, you end up with a stunningly well executed piece of pop, crime, comedy culture that hits the nerve of our increasingly disastrous time.
CHOPPER in key cinemas and on digital platforms on March 25th 2022.
