CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND

CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND

Cast:
Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore, George Clooney, Julia Roberts

Director:
George Clooney

Producer:
Andrew Lazar

Screenwriter:
Charlie Kaufman

Music:
Alex Murman

Editor:
Stephen Mirrione

Chuck Barris (Sam Rockwell) recalls his life with much disgust. He realizes that everything he has done is rooted in his childhood of longing to be loved and appreciated. Back in 1955, as the television industry boomed with much promise, Chuck joined the bandwagon through conceptualizing reality-TV programs such as "The Dating Game," "The Newlywed Game" and "The Gong Show" that eventually marked his stardom as a host in American television. But he confesses that even before he got his big break in television, he was approached by a CIA recruiter Jim Byrd (George Clooney) to become a secret agent because he fitted the profile of one. Soon Chuck secretly became CIA assassin "Sunny Sixkiller," making hits in Mexico, and eventually in Helsinki and East Berlin while under the guise of chaperoning the game show contestants who had won vacation prizes. He lived his double life while he was with his girlfriend Penny (Drew Barrymore), who knew nothing about his secret life, also while associating with Patricia (Julia Roberts), the spy who gave him his assignments and "a little something extra."

Based on the book by The Gong Show host Chuck Barris, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is partly a biopic, a spy film, a satirical comedy and a love story. The film's crossing of different genres results in a successful and exciting initial attempt of George Clooney to direct a full-length feature film. Charlie Kaufman gave the movie a fresher outlook as he adapted the autobiography into film which tries to blur the lines between real life and fiction as he became playful with his non-linear approach to storytelling. The actors deliver effective performances. Sam Rockwell almost entirely embodies Chuck Barris and Drew Barrymore brings light and provocative shadows to Barris' loyal and patient Penny whom he eventually marries. George Clooney as the director may have the tendency to overdo some scenes but still, his intuitive style is able to capture into a unified whole what is seemingly a complex and absurd autobiography.

What are the dangers of hearing the Confessions of a Dangerous Mind? First there will be doubts of whether or not the confessions, are really confessions or just another strategy of attracting attention. But given the benefit of the doubt, the self-loathing Chuck Barris' stories may have some lessons in it as he looks back into his past with disgust although not necessarily with regret. According to him, he wrote "Confessions" to point out the absurdity of someone being crucified for trying to entertain people at the same time he's being decorated for killing people. Barris is the mind behind the most irritating programs into television history. He made money through underestimating the taste of the American public thus instilling much negative influence. As CIA assassin, he is responsible for murdering human beings. Both his acts "kill" in contrasting ways and make one ponder, which is the greater evil, to kill the minds of the public through long-term negative influences, or to kill enemies for a cause? Still, the movie has issues that are questionable because of its stance on sexuality, graphic violence and vulgar words.