10 Great Dark Comedy Films You Haven't Seen
6. Chopper (2000)
“Why would I shoot a bloke, bang, and then put him in the bloody car and whizz him off to the hospital at a hundred miles an hour? It defeats the purpose of having shot him in the first place.”
Chopper is the retelling of the life of Australia's most notorious criminal, Mark “Chopper” Read. Based on his best-selling autobiography, From the Inside, the overly-dramatised narrative acts as a manifestation of Read’s own gusto for showmanship.
Eric Bana is cast perfectly as the psychotic-yet-charismatic-narcissist, and owns the film from beginning to end - never once wavering in his highly entertaining depiction of the infamous criminal. He may be a household name due to his high-profile Hollywood career, but Chopper - at least for now - remains Bana’s greatest performance in terms of both substance and genuine acting prowess.
The movie manages to walk the tightrope of drama and comedy with expert precision, allowing for even the darkest of moments depicted to be laden with comedy gold. Read's infectious charm, coupled with Bana's perfect line delivery, allows us to almost forgive the Aussie for the horrific acts he carries out on screen.
Okay, scratch the 'almost'. He's just that charismatic.