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Chapter 27

(2008, Rated R, Drama, Starring Jared Leto, Lindsay Lohan, Judah Friedlander)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    1.0

  • Common Sense says

    Mature, slow-moving Lennon assassination drama.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Chapman is plainly delusional and angry; a photographer at the Dakota is focused on his paparazzo mission.

  • Violence:

    Throughout the film, Chapman plans to shoot Lennon: He practices in front of a mirror with his gun, describes his scheme, and finally shoots (blasts and screaming are heard). The scene is loud and distressing, but brief.

  • Sex:

    Mark listens to a gay couple in the next room at the YMCA as they make love (audible moaning and gasping). A magazine shows a woman's breasts. Chapman hires a prostitute who wears a low-cut dress, then removes it at his behest (cleavage, nude back, body silhouette visible). Chapman appears in his underpants, seated on the bed with the prostitute.

  • Language:

    A couple of background uses of "f--k" by a man on the sidewalk who also calls a woman a "bitch" and a "c--t." Other language includes "goddamned," "hell," and "s--t."

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Chapman drinks beer; several characters smoke cigarettes.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Chapter 27

Parents need to know that this slow-moving assassination drama deals with mature themes, including insanity, obsession, and murder. The primary violence is the shooting of John Lennon, which is shown in an impressionistic but still briefly disturbing scene. Chapman rails against a gay couple (there are audible sounds of sex off-screen) and hires a scantily dressed prostitute who gets into bed with him (nothing explicit, just creepy). Language includes "f--k" and "c--t" (both spoken by a background character), and other mild obscenities. Characters smoke cigarettes, and Chapman drinks beer.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how media attention to the assassination of public figures is appealing to some killers, who desire fame. Can you think of other potentially negative consequences of media news coverage? How about positive ones? Families can also discuss the lingering interest in John Lennon and his murder. How is the act symbolic beyond its time and place? What are the various prices of celebrity culture, both for celebrities and for consumers, who might lose track of their own lives in pursuing information about their idols?
Tools and tips that can help

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