It’s always interesting when you get a chance to see two films on the same subject. In this case I’m referring to the films Chapter 27 and The Killing of John Lennon. Both films are about the killing of John Lennon by Mark David Chapman. Both films use the same source material.
The film covers the three days leading up to the murder. Voice over narration is used to convey Chapman’s internal dialogue. It works in this film which is about a solitary man with delusions and paranoia.
The film fires on all cylinders: great writing, great acting, great direction, and great cinematogrophy. Even the soundtrack is first rate. Yet this film has had only lukewarm success. And that’s a shame. We need more smart films like this and less films about comic book heros and puffed up TV shows.
A good portion of the film is told and seen from Jean-Dominique’s viewpoint. It’s used to great effect. It’s not over done. Other viewpoints are used and you get to see him beofre the stroke through flashbacks.
This film tells the story of Charlie Wilson, a Texas Congressman played by Tom Hanks, who, along with a socialite and CIA agent, supply arms to Afghan fighters in order to force the Russians to abandon Afghanistan. Not exactly source material for a comedy, but that’s the tone the film takes with the subject.
The story told here is about Jesse James growing paranoia and the idolization of the man by Robert Ford. Jesse is constantly in fear of his pursuers. He moves frequently. He changes gang members. He questions the path his life has taken. Robert Ford wants what he believes Jesse James has: respect, notoriety, and fame.