Directed By: George Clooney
Written By: Charlie Kaufman
Based on the Novel By: Chuck Barris
Cinematography By: Newtom Thomas Sigel
Editor: Stephen Mirrione
Cast: Sam Rockwell, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Drew Barrymore, Rugter Hauer, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael Cera, Robert John Burke, Rachelle Lefevre, Jerry Weintraub, Richard Kind, James Urbaniak
Television made him famous, but his biggest hits happened off screen. "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" is the story of a legendary showman's double life - television producer by day, CIA assassin by night. At the height of his TV career, Chuck Barris was recruited by the CIA and trained to become a covert operative. Or so Barris said.
As much as I enjoy This film. There is a sense that it could have gone deeper and kept the audience wondering was all of this true was this all something he came up with to justify his worth. Are half of this real or maybe a delusional dream. Was this just so somebody would want to buy his autobiography and being an entertainer keep the audience riveted. Even to this day the C.I.A. Denies he was ever an operative As throughout the film it seems like he is self deprecating and always searching to make something of himself as he constantly feels like a failure and the film seems to take a particular joy in showcasing his more unsavory actions. Underlying throughout the film is the search and sense of identity. The film tries but never chooses to keep up the dual nature of the story and character.
It does come up with a more mainstream narrative that while challenging in parts plays like a fun espionage tale with some laughs as well as a more surface character study. That involves way too many hijinks. That throw you off just when the film seems to be digging deeper. Is it fact it fantasy? The film chooses to go with the sensational nature as at first it seems more a plot to sell more copies of his autobiography.
The film does show Chuck so hungry for success that he is willing to make up stories and/or take missions. As he is a natural born salesman really a hustler willing to do anything to come out on top.
As he makes himself look good to a degree but adds conflict and drama that might have been absent or metaphor for something else and allows him to explain the decisions he had made and the actions of his life.
The film seems more direct then subtle about ideas or letting things flow with being vague. Instead it seems always willing to answer most questions. Leaving an ending full of regret and guilt but also kind of amusing as a inspired riff on the film and the ending of THE GRADUATE. What is real and what is inspired or borrowed? Even if Chuck's character doesn't come off as the best. He is still human and the sorrow could be more self deprecation, destruction or even come more from screenwriter Charlie Kaufman who loves to write about the human condition and make it seem more like a tragedy. Surrealist really and have heartbreak and make characters who some might call. Losers loveable. Who are remarkable for their everyday-ness and embrace of who they are finally. While studying their own nature and using it for their advantage and degree to create their own life philosophy to go with to focus to survive the torture that always seems to follow or that they put upon themselves.
Scriptwriter Charlie Kaufman felt dissatisfied with the way George Clooney treated his script.
Though the film tries to have more a traditional narrative amongst it's themes. Rather then explore hem with that ending nothing is truly ever resolved and we realize he will always be haunted and melancholy. As the film presents him with success and sedate but never truly happy. As the film even has interviews throughout with people who knew him from that same time and they rarely have anything positive to say about him. Luckily the film isn't joyless as serious as the film chooses to keep the characters and their look. The film actually has many funny scenes albeit in more of a dark humored way. As the humor throughout is dark, deadpan and dry.
Sam Rockwell in the lead role as Chuck Barris has a role that should have made him a bigger star as it plays to his usual strengths, but also offers him a chance to be more downtrodden and dramatic and he comes through with flying colors. Even if his charisma Shows and he must play a man who barely has any or at least chooses to only show it in doses. As I believe Rockwell also bring more physicality to the role as here church seems more flexible and more of a dancer then maybe the real life one is.
The film also gives actor Rugter Hauer, a Role to sink his teeth into. As he comes away stealing most of his scenes and the movie with his portrayal as a government assassin.
The spy love story seems a bit hackneyed and a reason for Julia Roberts to be in the Film. After Nicole Kidman dropped out, but it leaves room for a big star role. That allows her to be different and more experimental. As the role offers her to play something a bit off from her usual and she gets to be a dangerous seductress. She represents success and everything he wants. As he does many things to please her but realizes towards the end she isn't good for him and not actually end up killing him. She is the devil on His shoulder.
Where Drew Barrymore plays the angel on his shoulder. The flower child that loves him despite himself and is willing to look past all his troubles and problems for the good she see's in him.
The film also suffers from having two stars playing a giant type in supporting roles. Who at the time were more famous then the film's star. So while it brings more of a mainstream audience in. It also distracts as half are there to see the stars and they get them but only in small doses. Angering Some bit for some others giving them a film they aren't used to watching something more layered and textured. Being subversive to a degree. That can easily go either way.
The film tries to treat the audience with kid gloves immersing us into chuck's world and thoughts. Which generally seem fueled by sex and a desire to be liked. Though he knows his intentions are never genuine.
Also his disillusionment with fame not being as happy or feeling as complete with it. After success he adds to his many problems. Plus the nagging thoughts he didn't do it on his own.
The film does offer many surprises like when the film tries to lend itself a surreal quality as well as inside jokes with one scene in particular having a dating game show segment where the lady in question could choose two A-list heartthrobs of today doing cameos in the film playing he handsome bachelors but she ends up continuously talking to the 3rd contestant who's isn't famous or good looking. As the other two. I think the film is fine as it is, but could have been great in the hands of a more nuanced and visual director. George Clooney making his directorial debut isn't bad. Though at times leaves the film feeling and looking rather bland and more closed off then It should be. Though he does have a good eye for more understated visuals and presentation.
One of the films winning factors is the lead performance by Sam Rockwell who really gets a chance to shine in his first leading role in a major studio film.
Maybe the film comes off as too sarcastic. Even thought it maintains a depressing cynical edge. It does feel at time to be glib.
This film has been linked to many directors and stars over the years Bryan Singer, David O. Russell, David Fincher, P.J. Hogan, Mike Myers, Edward Norton, Robert Downey Jr., Kevin Spacey, Russel Crowe, Johnny Depp; George Clooney was already attached to co-star and since he loved the script and story so much decisions see to take it out of development he’ll and make it himself. Reworking the script calling a few famous co-stars and friends to play small but pivotal roles to help boost the project and it’s box office potential.
The film tries to stay true to the time period by making it’s central character an anti-hero still a star, but for all of it’s frankness about him. He is still an unlikeable creep completely who we are never quite sure what makes him tick. The reason the film Works is because of the lead performance by Sam Rockwell who brings a charm to a lecherous character. Making this the only kind of movie where he could be a star and survive.
The film has an abundance of style but as with most Charlie Kaufman scripts it is depressing and cerebral questioning morality and a sense of self with wildly surreal atmosphere and events happening all around the characters that never quite seems out of place or bizarre though they should be. I mean after all the film is based on an autobiography.
Though strangely I believe this is a film a bunch of middle aged men with identify with. As it is a kind of male fantasy and a sobering look at a middle aged crisis. Where a man lives the spy lifestyle almost of celebrity sleeping around, international romance and killing people usually bad guys.
Grade: B
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