Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind
(2002)
|
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. Adapted by the daring and mischievous Charlie Kaufman, Clooney's film features yet another electrifying performance from Rockwell (LAWN DOGS, SAFE MEN). |
Screenshots
George Clooney made a remarkably accomplished debut behind the camera with this biographical comedy drama that tackles the unreliable memoirs of Chuck Barris, the host and creator of influential US TV shows The Dating Game and The Gong Show. To tell the story of the man who also claimed to have killed 33 people as a CIA assassin, Clooney surrounded himself with some of the best creative artists in Hollywood. Charlie Kaufman contributes a sharp, deadpan script that takes Barris at his word, and good use is made of cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel's shifting but evocative palette of colours and hues. The film's gleefully erratic tone and style fluctuates between gaudy 1960s psychedelia and muted Cold War grit, enriched by Clooney's amazing fluency with a camera and the film's irreverent sense of fun. Sam Rockwell is believable and entertaining as Barris, and Drew Barrymore is on good form as his devoted girlfriend. Even if the director's supporting role as Barris's CIA recruiter — and Julia Roberts's daft turn as a fellow agent — smacks of self-indulgence, who can blame him for enjoying himself?
Halliwell's Film Guide
Lively and entertaining account of the life of Chuck Barris that does not question his claims to have been a hitman, but instead extracts the maximum amusement from them.