Chopper (2000)★ 6.9/10

The most remarkable thing about this man was how casual he was about getting stabbed.

A deeper look into Mark’s positive side might have given the film more balance, especially since the source materials offered plenty to explore. Even so, the movie works on several levels, and Dominik’s technical craft is evident throughout. It also features Eric Bana’s finest performance to date.

Andrew Dominik’s debut already shows his sharp instinct for capturing inner conflicts, giving the characters a sense of tragic complexity. Yet the narrative lacks structural tension and fails to build layered dynamics, leaving much of the dramatic weight resting on the shocking imagery at the beginning and end. The result is visually arresting but emotionally flat.