DVD Review: Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind

Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind (2002)
Directed by George Clooney
Starring Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Rutger Hauer and Maggie Gyllenhaal
MPAA: R
Grade: B

Review by Scott Standish

Sometimes goofy, sometimes dramatic, but never boring, Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind is not your ordinary film. George Clooney made his directorial debut on this and the screenplay is by Charlie Kaufman (of Being John Malkovitch and Adaptation fame).

The life and times of game show creator and Gong Show host Chuck Barris are brought to life by the incredible Sam Rockwell. Rockwell has Barris down pat from his New York accent to his crazy mannerisms. Barris' wife Penny is played remarkably well by the always lovely Drew Barrymore and there are great roles for Julia Roberts and Rutger Hauer as well.

Barris contends that he was a hitman for the government throughout his career and most of his friends deny this. There are interviews with real life Gong Show stars Jaye P. Morgan, Gene Gene The Dancing Machine and the Unknown Comic, but they seem strangely out of place. Whether true or not (and it's probably not), at least its fun to think that it might be.

If you were a fan of the Gong Show (and who wasn't) then this movie will certainly bring a smile to your face. Sam Rockwell deserves an Oscar nomination for his fantastic portrayal of the insane Chuck Barris and his performance is reason enough to see Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind.