"Chapter 27" IS NOT an important film. It IS a film worth watching! The writer/director, J.P. Shaefer, gives us a look into the mind of a man seeking his own identity, at the expense on another man's life.
The film IS NOT exactly the view from inside Mark David Chapman's mind. But is IS likely a close imitation of that mind. The view is based on a lot of research, that part is evident. I have read much of what has been written about this troubled young man and these "reflections" presented in the movie are accurate and detailed.
The film IS NOT chapter 27 in "The Catcher in the Rye", the great piece by J.D. Salinger that is said to be a motivating factor in Chapman's life and his decision to kill John Lennon. Chapman modeled his life after the main character in the book, Holden Caufield, and wanted his life to be an extension of that. To view Chapman's act as a continuation of a great novel is an insult to that author. The film simply shows us what a fragile thing the human mind is and how easily it can be driven towards madness by the inspiration, though completely twisted, of other visions.
"Chapter 27" IS NOT a fresh, unique story. It IS based on the work from another book by a writer named Jack Jones, who's biography of Chapman, "Let Me Take You Down", is said to be the most detailed account of the life of this killer and the best information we have about the moments leading up to Lennon's murder.
"Chapter 27" IS NOT a tribute to Mark David Chapman nor is it intended to belittle the death of John Lennon. The film is a realistic view of Chapman, and one that might cause it's audience to feel sorry for this disturbed individual. Sorry, yet unsympathetic.
So what exactly is "Chapter 27"? Well, from my viewpoint, it IS an exceptional piece of work on many levels...
The acting is superb. Jared Leto, (Executive Producer)who was obviously passionate about the role as he went to great lengths to "become" Mark David Chapman. He put on an estimated 40 or more pounds to alter his appearance. Leto, who is usually cast as the "pretty boy" in many films ("Girl Interrupted" comes to mind) completely disregarded his good looks to capture this identity. His mannerisms are almost identical to those of Chapman (from actual interviews I have seen), especially the eyes. He seems, as does Chapman, to often be looking away from those he comes in contact with as if he is afraid someone might see the "beast" inside if he looks directly at them. Leto's grasp of Chapman's voice and accent is spot on. And, most importantly, the way Leto (as Chapman) interacts with others gives us a great awareness that most of those people probably "knew" something wasn't right, but no one could put their finger on what it was, or what was about to happen. You can feel a real sense of doom as you watch Chapman talk to the various doormen "guarding" the "Dakota", you can see how he scares and confuses the photographer who captures, on film, Chapman and Lennon together just hours before the murder. You can see how he attracts, yet pushes away Jude , a young girl who "hangs out" often to get a glimpse of Lennon, and played exceptionally well by Lindsay Lohan. And the encounter between Chapman and a young Sean Lennon sends chills up the spine. Leto slowly and methodically leads us down the twisted path on this collision course of Lennon and Chapman. And there is one moment in the film (that may or may not be accurate but certainly would seem logical) where Chapman want's badly to walk away and NOT fulfill his destiny, so to speak, but ultimately can't stop himself. Leto puts us as close to this madman as anyone could, or would want to, be.
Mark Lindsay Chapman (no, I did NOT make this up!) plays John Lennon. Shaefer captures the "essence" of the incredible ex-Beatle by showing the audience only side views and rear shots, which not only allows us to see Lennon (as opposed to an actor playing him) but adds a sense of "mystical presence" that Chapman, and millions of fans, saw in this humble yet ultra-famous celebrity.
The cinematography is not beautiful. It is only adequate in this department. It is not polished or creatively edited. Many shots are hand held, not so much for a sense of art as likely a result of time constraints, etc. of working with a small budget ($5 Million CAD). My impression is that the small budget must have been maxed out as there was virtually no publicity about this film. And the box office results were the lowest I have ever seen, opening on 2 screens? Had this film received some studio or distributor backing, it might have done very well at the box office and perhaps even some awards as the acting certainly warrants them.
"Chapter 27" is, as I said, NOT an important film. We all know what the loss of John Lennon meant to the world. The film does allow the audience to see how a feeling of inferiority, that lies within us all, could lead a man to think that this was how he should, and would, be important; by committing this unthinkable act. But most importantly, it reminds us never to forget John Lennon, his music, his message the importance, and non-importance of all mankind.
The film IS NOT exactly the view from inside Mark David Chapman's mind. But is IS likely a close imitation of that mind. The view is based on a lot of research, that part is evident. I have read much of what has been written about this troubled young man and these "reflections" presented in the movie are accurate and detailed.
The film IS NOT chapter 27 in "The Catcher in the Rye", the great piece by J.D. Salinger that is said to be a motivating factor in Chapman's life and his decision to kill John Lennon. Chapman modeled his life after the main character in the book, Holden Caufield, and wanted his life to be an extension of that. To view Chapman's act as a continuation of a great novel is an insult to that author. The film simply shows us what a fragile thing the human mind is and how easily it can be driven towards madness by the inspiration, though completely twisted, of other visions.
"Chapter 27" IS NOT a fresh, unique story. It IS based on the work from another book by a writer named Jack Jones, who's biography of Chapman, "Let Me Take You Down", is said to be the most detailed account of the life of this killer and the best information we have about the moments leading up to Lennon's murder.
"Chapter 27" IS NOT a tribute to Mark David Chapman nor is it intended to belittle the death of John Lennon. The film is a realistic view of Chapman, and one that might cause it's audience to feel sorry for this disturbed individual. Sorry, yet unsympathetic.
So what exactly is "Chapter 27"? Well, from my viewpoint, it IS an exceptional piece of work on many levels...
The acting is superb. Jared Leto, (Executive Producer)who was obviously passionate about the role as he went to great lengths to "become" Mark David Chapman. He put on an estimated 40 or more pounds to alter his appearance. Leto, who is usually cast as the "pretty boy" in many films ("Girl Interrupted" comes to mind) completely disregarded his good looks to capture this identity. His mannerisms are almost identical to those of Chapman (from actual interviews I have seen), especially the eyes. He seems, as does Chapman, to often be looking away from those he comes in contact with as if he is afraid someone might see the "beast" inside if he looks directly at them. Leto's grasp of Chapman's voice and accent is spot on. And, most importantly, the way Leto (as Chapman) interacts with others gives us a great awareness that most of those people probably "knew" something wasn't right, but no one could put their finger on what it was, or what was about to happen. You can feel a real sense of doom as you watch Chapman talk to the various doormen "guarding" the "Dakota", you can see how he scares and confuses the photographer who captures, on film, Chapman and Lennon together just hours before the murder. You can see how he attracts, yet pushes away Jude , a young girl who "hangs out" often to get a glimpse of Lennon, and played exceptionally well by Lindsay Lohan. And the encounter between Chapman and a young Sean Lennon sends chills up the spine. Leto slowly and methodically leads us down the twisted path on this collision course of Lennon and Chapman. And there is one moment in the film (that may or may not be accurate but certainly would seem logical) where Chapman want's badly to walk away and NOT fulfill his destiny, so to speak, but ultimately can't stop himself. Leto puts us as close to this madman as anyone could, or would want to, be.
Mark Lindsay Chapman (no, I did NOT make this up!) plays John Lennon. Shaefer captures the "essence" of the incredible ex-Beatle by showing the audience only side views and rear shots, which not only allows us to see Lennon (as opposed to an actor playing him) but adds a sense of "mystical presence" that Chapman, and millions of fans, saw in this humble yet ultra-famous celebrity.
The cinematography is not beautiful. It is only adequate in this department. It is not polished or creatively edited. Many shots are hand held, not so much for a sense of art as likely a result of time constraints, etc. of working with a small budget ($5 Million CAD). My impression is that the small budget must have been maxed out as there was virtually no publicity about this film. And the box office results were the lowest I have ever seen, opening on 2 screens? Had this film received some studio or distributor backing, it might have done very well at the box office and perhaps even some awards as the acting certainly warrants them.
"Chapter 27" is, as I said, NOT an important film. We all know what the loss of John Lennon meant to the world. The film does allow the audience to see how a feeling of inferiority, that lies within us all, could lead a man to think that this was how he should, and would, be important; by committing this unthinkable act. But most importantly, it reminds us never to forget John Lennon, his music, his message the importance, and non-importance of all mankind.