“Confessions of A Dangerous Mind” (Miramax)
Chuck Barris was the genius () behind the creation of such groundbreaking shows as “The Dating Game,” “The Newlywed Game,” and “The Gong Show.” In his autobiography, CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND, he revealed that during the time he was creating game shows for television, he was also a deadly assassin for the CIA. Whether or not this was true depends on how much you trust Chuck Barris. Still in the movie “Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind” it is treated as fact.
Barris, played by Sam Rockwell, comes off as a goofy sort of guy who was an inept spy at best and a lucky one at most. He was recruited into the Agency by a mysterious agent, played by George Clooney who also directed the film. On assignment he meets another secret agent, this one a femme fatale played by Julia Roberts.
There is no lack of star power in this movie. In addition to those actors already named, you have Drew Barrymore playing Barris’ long faithful and accepting girlfriend. Why someone as cute and exuberant as Barrymore’s character would stay with a weirdo like Barris is never explained.
This is Clooney’s debut as a film director. It is not an auspicious start. The movie moves from scene to scene and mood to mood with jumpy abandon. Nothing flows smoothly and nothing makes any real sense. If Barris was a CIA operative, why was he chosen And if he wasn’t, why did he think he was These questions are not answered.
Barrymore is a delight in the film. She is pert and chipper, and loving and vulnerable. She brightens every scene she is in, and gives validity to her character. Roberts has little more than a cameo and you trust that it was her friendship with Clooney that made her take this role. There is no other explanation for her to be slumming like this so soon after her Oscar win.
Rockwell is very good as Barris. He is an absurd character and Rockwell plays him as such. He acts like Barris would have acted as a spy, and he acts maniacally like Barris would have acted as a lunatic. He captures it all.
The film is rated R for profanity, nudity and violence.
Although the acting is good the movie is not. In Clooney’s defense, it would have taken a master director to make a silk purse out of this sow’s ear of a story. A first time director didn’t stand a chance.
I scored “Confessions of A Dangerous Mind” a revealing 4 out of 10.
©2003 Jackie K. Cooper
