George Clooney is a Hollywood treasure, and I think he sits atop
the throne as our biggest
”
movie star.
”
Every role he takes is a departure and unique from the next, so
even though his irresistably handsome mug is always there, his
performances always feel fresh.
George Clooney is a Hollywood treasure, and I think he sits atop the throne as our biggest “movie star.” Every role he takes is a departure and unique from the next, so even though his irresistably handsome mug is always there, his performances always feel fresh.
Going from movies like “From Dusk ’til Dawn” to “Three Kings” to “Out of Sight” and “The Perfect Storm” seems like nothing to him. In front of a camera since he was a teenager, Clooney steps behind the camera to direct the amazing, dizzying, dark comedy “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,” which looks at one of our most enigmatic American personalities, Chuch Barris, who in the 1970s created three of the trashiest TV shows we’ve ever encountered: “The Dating Game,” “The Newlywed Game,” and the notorious “Gong Show” are Barris’ claim to fame.
Some years back, Barris wrote a scathing, brooding autobiography, entitled “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.” In the book, Barris tells his story of producing and hosting television.
It is Barris’ claim of his moonlighting job that gives the book its kick – his claim that the CIA also employed him as a hit man, ridding the world of “America’s enemies.”
Charlie Kaufman’s brilliantly funny screenplay explores both sides of Barris, and Clooney directs the hit man side of Barris with a real seriousness, which actually peppers the scenes with laughter.
We understand Barris from his persona on the “Gong Show,” and it’s impossible to believe his claim that he was an assassin for the CIA. When it is presented as plausible, it becomes almost cartoonish and sidesplittingly funny.
Sam Rockwell is terrific in a film filled with great, inspired performances. With a script as good as this one is, the actors threaten to outdo each other, trying to chew up as much scenery as possible. Rockwell’s Barris is a deranged, difficult man to figure out but manages to gather our sympathy.
Barris knew he was making trash, and wanted to have a positive impact in the world. Feeling he was a complete failure as an artist, he becomes the operative to help him feel more successful in his life. It’s an interesting dichotomy to ponder in “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,” but it makes complete sense in Rockwell’s characterization.
Julia Roberts appears as a could-be spy intent on finding Barris’ secret out, and she creates a marvelously three-dimensional character who nonetheless remains a mystery. Likewise for Drew Barrymore, who beautifully plays Chuck Barris’ girlfriend with her usual charm and eloquence.
Barrymore gets little credit for being such a nuanced actor; she tends to get pushed into the ‘cute’ caegory by people who write about film. She’s cute, to be sure, but she’s also one of our best actresses, and she’s terrific here, funny and sure-footed.
Clooney, who plays a smaller role than usual, appears in the film with some of his best buddies, all who are great in cameos that really enhance the feel and attitude of the film. Matt Damon and Brad Pitt show up and appear to have a blast, injecting some more fun to the film.
The film unfolds as a puzzle, which benefits the audience greatly. As we watch with great interest, the pieces to the puzzle start to fill in the gaps in the plot. Which aspects of Chuck Barris’ life are real, and which ones are figments of his imagination? The funny thing is, people going to this film all will have different ideas about which aspects of the story are true and which are not.
George Clooney shows a real flair for directing actors, coaching brilliant performances out of everyone involved, especially Rockwell, whose Chuck Barris is one of the most unforgettable characters I’ve ever seen on the silver screen. “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” is an impressive work, a triumph for all involved.
CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND. Directed by George Clooney. Screenplay by Charlie Kaufmann, based on the book by Chuck Barris. With Drew Barrymore, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Sam Rockwell and Rutger Haur. Cameos by Matt Damon and Brad Pitt. Rated R (Language, violence, mature themes), 115 minutes. Now playing at Bay Area theaters.
