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"CHAPTER 27" (R)
Directed by J.P.
Schaefer
Starring Jared Leto and
Lindsay Lohan
Jared Leto gives a good
but far from Oscar-worthy performance in Chapter 27
By Johnny Alba
A lot has been discussed about the
infamous Mark David Chapman, his obsession with the controversial novel
The Catcher in the Rye and his reasons for shooting music legend John
Lennon on December 8, 1980. Unfortunately, “Chapter 27” fails to bring
any new insight into this over studied subject and ends up being nothing
more than a tedious vehicle for an unrecognizable Jared Leto.
The film begins when Chapman (Leto) arrives to New York City in order to
emulate the actions of Holden Caulfield, the fictional main character
from The Catcher in the Rye; just three days before he is determined to
kill Lennon. A whispering voice inside Chapman’s head keeps reminding us
he must kill the legendary musician, yet we never get to know why.
A vague and poorly-developed screenplay along with predictable direction
by J.P. Schaefer keep the film on very thin ice and only Jared Leto’s
committed (the actor’s resemblance with Chapman is striking) but far
from Oscar-worthy performance prevents it from breaking completely
apart. Troubled actress Lindsay Lohan contributes much less as Chapman’s
fellow Lennon fan Jude, a role that could have been easily played by an
unknown.
A lack of depth and focus turns “Chapter 27” into a tiresome and
self-conscious experience where as said by Jude to explain Mark her
disdain for “Rosemary’s Baby:” “nothing happens until the end.” Of
course, there’s a big and obvious gap between the Polanski classic and
this dud.
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