Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

This is a movie that shows the degenerate view of the "Hollywood" perspective of the American base of values and moralities. I am married to a " New Yorker" and she was offended by the depiction of New Jersey and New yorkers use of the f--- word injected in every other word. Is this real? I have been in the "real world" and am no saint, but this is too much. I watch movies for entertainment value. This was not entertainment, but an obscene and sick movie to grab the profits of a degenerate audience.

Spoilers herein. Yet another example of why even the best actors cannot be trusted with intelligent material. They just don't have the skills required. But this is a pretty good try, better than most films in fact. Here's the setup: a man invents a role for himself in a created world; that 'self' is in show business and he creates yet another world and persona for himself. Both selves write a book from a . All three levels are shown here, all sliced and diced according to Kaufman's clever folding techniques. Clooney plays the great manipulator of one of these levels (the CIA) and is also the grand manipulator of the top level, this film. He does a great job in some respects by creating great scenes that shift from one layer or time to another. These are very clever and worth watching on their own. But it just isn't enough. Part of the problem is that Kaufman's original notions weren't followed. They moved the narrative stance into extremely strange territory with several untrusted narratives. These were ditched. The producers weren't as crazy as Barris, which is a real shame. But the other problem is that too much emphasis is placed on doing a good job from the perspective of the actors. All the scenes are shaped for the benefit of the actors, all towards clarity. Should have been shaped as a multi layered ambiguous unit, just as Kaufman envisioned. Ted's Evaluation -- 3 of 3: Worth watching.

It should be absolutely awful. Who really wants to see a filmed version of the masturbational journals of an idiot like Chuck Barris? Actually, I'd forgive him for The Gong Show and the $1.98 Beauty Show. I've seen them both, and they're somewhat entertaining. I couldn't forgive him for writing such a pointless book as Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. So it is an enormous credit to George Clooney, making his directorial debut, that he keeps this film as good as it is throughout its entire run. I can't believe Charlie Kaufman could have written this alongside Being John Malkovich and Adaptation. It's a junky script desperately groping for profundity and/or sympathy for its lame central character. There are only a few moments of worthwhile humor. I especially like the annoying Dating Game contestant who wants Chuck to make the girl like him more. The acting is pretty good, too. Drew Barrymore, whom I don't care too much for, gives one of her best performances. I also liked Clooney himself, in an emotionless role that works well for him. Julia Roberts makes a nice visual impression, but the script didn't provide her character with any interest whatsoever. The cinematography is very beautiful, as well. But, like I said, the film belongs to Clooney and his stylish direction. Clooney often gets a bad rap for his acting, and, a lot of the time, I have to agree. So maybe he'll continue along this line and, with a better script, make a great film. 6/10.

"Confessions of a Dangerous MInd' was excellent and I'm surprised it doesn't receive more credit. The story is an 'autobiographical' tale of TV producer Chuck Barris (Sam Rockwell) who doubles as a CIA-assassin. The movie is based on the book with the same name and the beauty is that no one knows if Barris made up this story or if the events are true. Regardless of its reality or not, the film is a tremendous example of great movie making. This is an all-star movie. George Clooney stars as CIA-agent Jim Byrd and also directs the film. He has such a cinematic eye. The scenes in which he incorporates the movie with real- life clips of the game shows is brilliant. The acting is superb with Rockwell delivering what should have been at least a Golden Globe nomination. Also in the movie is Drew Barrymore (delivering one of her better roles), Julia Roberts, Rutger Hauer, and cameos by Brad Pitt, Matt Damon and Maggie Gyllenthaal. The cinematography is superb, and Director of Photography, Newton Thomas Sigel, creates a film with such innovative lighting and tones, and to top it off, the screen play is written by one of Hollywood's best, Charlie Kaufmann (wrote 'Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine). The movie was shadowy but not dark, humorous but not too light, mysterious but not deceptive and was honestly one of the most original films I've seen in a long time. The only minor hiccups I had with the movie was 1) inaccuracies with aging characters. Barris was born in 1928, yet the scenes in the late 1970s and early 1980s he looks like he's still in his thirties! At least the movie was consistent in not aging any of the characters; and 2) I felt the pace dragged slightly at times. There were moments when I felt the momentum falter inexplicably and the opener was slightly slow as well. But those details are very minor and do not take away from the strength of this film. This is an engaging film, one that is intelligent and well-written, one that is acted superbly and crafted with such subtle craftsmanship from the best Hollywood has to offer. Great film! I'm surprised it doesn't get more credit 8 out of 10!

This film could have and should have been a barrel of fun, but has been turned into a ponderous, overlong, self-important, repetitive, and ultimately confused and pointless movie. The trouble is at the basic level. You can't really make this brooding "showbusiness" tale when most of the film is taken up with the ludicrous idea that Barris was a CIA hitman. The film should have been a small wild lark. But this thing is written and directed with a heavy and pretentious hand. And it is a uniquely unpleasant experience to watch. The only fun comes from the period game show recreations. The rest is a repetitive bore with a completely unlikable, uninteresting, and unsympathetic character. I can't believe I'm saying it, but Chuck Barris deserved better. Check out the "Gong Show Movie" from 1980, you'll have more fun....

I had some hope for this movie, in that it would be original. I found however a film that despite what some critics say to be poorly paced, forced, and at times not funny, but just silly. The acting was fair, but the direction and the editing didn't add to any sense of narrative. Save even your rental fee on this one. Perhaps in a few years, around 3am on HBO when watching an informercial is your only other alternative will be a good time to watch this.

What if the creator and host of two of the 1970s biggest and lamest television game shows was also a part-time CIA hitman? That he used The Dating Game and The Gong Show as a cover to stage assassinations in the netherworld of Cold War espionage. Ridiculous you'd say. But that's what exactly what Chuck Barris claims in his autobiography, and Charlie Kaufman accepts carte blanche as the premise for his screenplay. The film plays it straight up as if Barris were telling the truth. Can Charlie Kaufman, the screenwriter, and George Clooney, the director pull it off? Mostly. It is competently acted by Sam Rockwell as Barris, Julia Roberts as a fellow spy, Drew Barrymore as his love interest, and director George Clooney as his CIA recruiter and handler. The bizarre landscape, a marriage of television and espionage, is presented without a smirk or wink. If Barris is telling the truth, this is what it must have been like. It's an interesting idea, and Clooney and Kaufman have taken it and crafted an enjoyable film.

source: Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

This is a story based on Chuck Barris's life, who claimed he worked for the CIA. The story is filled with half truths. Barris was one of those creative people who made up stories to make his life more interesting to others. The cast is great and they have a good chemistry. The script has some highs and lows, but isn't evenly paced so the slow parts seem to consume the story. The direction is acceptable. There is a lot of drama to sort out and if you stick with it the ending will explain everything. I found Sam Rockwell channeled Chuck Barris. He did an excellent job of walking that fine line of being insane and sane/reality. Drew Barrymore and George Clooney provide excellent support. There are a lot of cameos in the movie. Julia Roberts, Rutger Hauer, Fred Savage, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon to name a few. It's a good watch, with a small amount of comedy, but a lot more drama.