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)
I can't help it, but I just wasn't entertained by this film. Apart from the fact that well-known actors and creators are trying to strike a humorously dark note, I simply wasn't entertained, and I wasn't captivated by the style in which the film was told. Clooney isn't a bad director and he maintains the mood of the film until the end, but the characters here feel quite weak to me.
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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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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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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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Rockwell proves that he can play not only eccentrics and villains, but he is also convincing in more serious roles. Despite his convincing performance and Clooney's surprisingly inventive direction, the film gives a somewhat confused impression, although in Kaufman's case we can talk about a relatively "normal" script. It's a pity that the story didn't appeal to me either plot-wise or emotionally enough to make me want to watch it again; once is enough. But very remarkable for a debut, George.
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