Directed by:
George ClooneyScreenplay:
Charlie KaufmanCinematography:
Newton Thomas SigelComposer:
Alex WurmanCast:
Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Rutger Hauer, Maggie Gyllenhaal, David Julian Hirsh, Michael Cera, Jennifer Hall (more)Plots(1)
George Clooney makes his directorial debut with this frenetic, visually dazzling black comedy. Based on notorious television producer Chuck Barris' unauthorised autobiography, Clooney's film reinforces Barris' outlandish claim that he lived a secret life as a hitman for the CIA. Sam Rockwell stars as Barris, a fresh-faced dreamer who moves to New York to find success in television. Pretty soon, he's written a hit song ("Palisades Park"), has shacked up with the ultra-peppy Penny (Drew Barrymore), and has his first successful game show, The Dating Game. But as if that weren't enough excitement, he is soon recruited by CIA Special Agent Jim Byrd (Clooney) to become a hired killer for the federal government. As Barris' subsequent shows (The Newlywed Game, The Gong Show) take off, the conflicted producer uses them as a front for his undercover job, chaperoning winning couples all over the world while performing his deadly duties after hours. Along the way, he meets a shady cast of characters - including a sultry assassin (Julia Roberts) - who threatens to blow his cover and ruin his television career forever. (Lionsgate Home Entertainment)
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Reviews (8)
Clooney proves that he can direct and that he holds a lot of promise to the future. The powerful visuals are one of the main aspects building the atmosphere of this picture, while the long running time is one of the main minus points here. The screenplay by Kaufman is excellent as always, and is supported by outstanding acting performances. A nice surprise here is a solid performance from Drew Barrymore after years of nothing and so it is easy to let yourself be sucked into the biographical fantasy of this at first sight ordinary drama.
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Clooney is not afraid. He tells a bold story, jumping from comedy to drama, from action movie to romance, shoots a two-second cameo of Matt Damon and Brad Pitt, and cuts himself the best supporting role. Rockwell and Barrymore, who is really excellent for the first time in her career, of course greatly help him. Yes, the story skips forward for a while and then stops and "deals with" something. But in this case, it incredibly works. "You're 32 and you're not doing anything. Jesus already had crucifixion and resurrection by 33."
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Imaginative, stylish, fresh, and pleasantly Kaufmanesque. George Clooney is both a full-fledged actor and director. And Sam Rockwell in the lead role is without flaw. Still, there was something lacking in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, something I felt was too unfinished to give it the maximum rating. It's about 4.5 stars.
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George Clooney's certain directorial invention cannot be denied, and if we take into account this is his directorial debut, then the thumbs. Unfortunately, the film is somehow convoluted in terms of content, and the viewer tends to get lost in it very often. Additionally, the story of the killer/talker did not emotionally appeal to me, so all that was left was to solely observe the camera acrobatics and constant changes in toning and filters.
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A formally incredibly polished toy with that kind of "mwahaha" in the background, which goes a long way toward explaining why in some films you feel like Clooney is looking through the camera a little too much. He's got directorial ideas, a flair for cynicism and irony, a clever way with set pieces (which came in handy in his subsequent, shot-on-the-same-floor-of-a-house Good Night and Good Luck), and plenty of pals for funny cameos. He's just a badass.
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