Rated R
Running time: 1 hr 24 mins
Cast:
** out of *****
(20% Fresh Rating!)
Mikey @ The Movies Official Rating:
*** out of *****
The Premise:
A true story about Mark David Chapman in the days leading up to his infamous murder of Beatle John Lennon.
MY REVIEW
Chapter 27 is an independent film that I'm pretty sure no one actually knows exists. It's the true story about Mark David Chapman and the weekend that led up to his execution of John Lennon in front of the Beatle's apartment building. The movie focuses soley on the Chapman character played by Jared Leto (Lord of War, Panic Room) and we get a vague insight into his mind. He befriends a few Lennon fans in his days leading up to the killing played by Lindsay Lohan (Mean Girls, I Know Who Killed Me) and Judah Friedlander (TV's 30 Rock).
Personally I thought the movie was pretty good, and I think mainly that's due in part to Leto's solid performance. The guy gained 67 pounds to play this role, and he truly immerses himself in it. Not only was he much larger than we are used to, he dawns a raspy, quiet southern accent. He really commited himself to this role, and shows us that he really can act. He displays Chapmans odd side very well. We really get a feel for what this guy really was like. Lohan was suprisingly good, but her performance was very limited and really had no grave significance to the film.
My ultimate problem with the movie is we didn't get enough insight into the brain of Chapman. I feel we only got a snipet. The main issue at hand that I had was that we aren't really told as to why he initially decided he was going to kill John Lennon. He annouces it quietly to himself in the movie, but there's never an actual explanation. Was it really that random? Or do we just not truly know? Or was it something more hidden that we were supposed to see in the film itself? I don't know, and that's what bothered me the most.
Yes a little later we have a scene explaining that Lennon's song Helter Skelter "led" to the Manson murders and that Lennon's apartment is where scenes from Rosemary's Baby was filmed (which at the time people thought was a building for satan worshipers). Chapman used that info in his crazy mind to fuel his already set intentions to kill Lennon. But why the initial thought to do it? Maybe I didn't read between the lines well enough, or maybe the movie was just a bit weak in that aspect.
Regardless, the rest of the movie went pretty well. Nothing spectacular, but it was good. The filmaking was a tad on the sloppy side, but nothing that noticeable that would make a film buff cringe. It is an independent film afterall, so give it SOME slack. It had a nice musical score, but a little overpowering at times. But thats OK for me, but others may be turned away from it.
I would recommend it for sure, especially to followers of the infamous tragedy. It has a solid lead performance, a somewhat creepy story to tell and only a few weak spots (although kind of major weak spots). But when it comes down to it, Chapter 27 for me by the end of the year won't be remembered for it's story, only for Jared Leto's stand out performance.
To view this film's trailer, click this link: Chapter 27
*This is the 130th new film I've seen and reviewed this year.*This film is now on DVD.
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