Chapter 27 Review: Leto Throws His Weight Around

Put it this way: Jared Leto should stay focused on his music career. It would be a shame if his acting aspirations distracted him from his totally boss band, 30 Seconds to Mars. Though one can see how he’d have a hard time turning down the role of Mark David Chapman, John Lennon’s murderer. After all, he’s a perfect fit for the role: both Leto and Chapman are unstable, grandiose footnotes whose insecurities drive them to violent acts that horrify millions of peaceful music lovers.

It’s not that Leto’s acting is dreadful, it’s that Chapman is, and the film locks you inside his sick head while shedding no light on the causes for his mental illness. The action, if you can call it that, consists of Chapman loitering outside the Dakota and creeping out the other groupies (Lindsay Lohan among them), while drawing paranoid connections between his assassination plans and The Catcher in the Rye. Chapter 27's title comes from Chapman’s notion that by killing the “phony” Lennon, he was acting out a new chapter in Salinger's novel, which ends at 26. Deep, huh?

There’s not much to watch besides Chapman’s incessant crazed ranting as the film plods inexorably toward the final deed, which wouldn’t be such a drag if writer/director Jarrett Schaefer explored his derangement with some sort of formally adventurous aesthetic. Instead, Chapter 27 bobs on the surface like dead ducks in the Central Park reservoir, while the dread of what’s to come gnaws at the pit of your stomach for 85 minutes.

Supporting characters like Lindsay Lohan, who, perhaps by contrast, comes off as refreshingly charming and adorable here, can’t wait to get the hell away from the self-absorbed Chapman. Should you find yourself stuck watching this oppressive snuff film, you’ll have no problem empathizing with her.

Chapter 27 opens March 28th in New York City at Anjelika Film Center.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in Arts and Events on March 26, 2008 2:11 PM

Comments [rss]

gregroth

there are at least 100 other things in the world to make movies about besides losers who ruin things for the rest of us.

BMMDan

i dunno. this review kind of makes me want to see the movie now. go fig!

llama

JDS just doesn't learn. He is simply no longer liked around here... I guess safe to say he is hated. Every post he makes from yesterday on will only gain him further harsh criticism.

robingee

The opening paragraph to this entry is hilarious.

David

Why did I think Leto was dead?

Oh, Leto/Renfro. Meh. My bad.

Gregoire

So by this logic, Downfall is the worst film ever made?

zodak

i think this review is saying that leto & lohan gave good performances in a bad movie about a bad man.

AvenueHebrew

Basically the movie plays like a poor Taxi Driver rip-off, without the artful irony or inventive spark. And that's on top of providing a great big star-studded spotlight for a horrid, self-absorbed troll obsessed with fame and recognition (and I don't just mean Jared Leto). I don't mean to preach or tell anyone their business, but I really recommend avoiding this one at all costs.

yetanotherdamneduselessaccount

You are aware that you come across like a catty man-bitch with this story, right?

One of the hallmarks of good journalism.

This blog gets lamer and lamer.

JRod5417

Didn't they finish filming this like 2 years ago? It can't be a very good movie if it's being released just now.

thedroog

the promoters of chapter 27 should have known that they'd have to pay cloverfield money to get JDS to write a kick-ass, rip-roarin' review.

bxbrian

So, I take it that you didn't enjoy the film?

msk

So, JDS is biased against the wealthy (see his post about the women whose apartment was robbed after the crane accident) and the attractive (Jared Leto, admittedly, not in this movie). And he has a deep affection for John Lennon, yawn.

Seriously, "bobs on the surface like dead ducks in Central Park while the dread of what’s to come gnaws at the pit of your stomach" -- man, that's purple.