Confessions of a Dangerous Mind Review
by Homer Yen (homer_yen AT yahoo DOT com)January 30th, 2003
"Confessions" Leaves You Wondering
by Homer Yen
(c) 2003
As a form of entertainment, "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" doesn't really provide much fun or a great deal of drama or even enough character development to draw us into the picture. In fact, you will probably leave the theatre wondering what was the point of the film. Actually, you might even just get up and leave half way through the film, as a noticeable percentage of patrons actually did during the 10pm screening that I attended.
It's not that this is a poor-quality film. Directed by first time director George Clooney, it's surprisingly quite the contrary. The film is very handsome to look at from its suave-looking locales and art deco imagery to the lonely wintry shots. The film's atmosphere is as impressive as any that would garner an Oscar nod for Best Cinematography.
But, the subject material is a hard-sell. "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind" is similar in vein to another recent critically praised but commercially unsuccessful film ("Auto-Focus") about television star Bob Crane. Both are films about two fairly famous television personalities. And in both cases, despite their onscreen tv antics, it's their private lives that are so much more interesting, lurid, and sensational.
This film is based on the autobiography of Chuck Barris (played by Sam Rockwell). And, if you don't know who Barris is, then this would likely disqualify you as a possible moviegoer. But most 40-somethings will know him as the creator of a few groundbreaking game shows, which included The Dating Game, The Newlywed Game, and the puerile The Gong Show. Those memories will resonate somewhat as the film is intercut with interviews from those that knew Barris such as a few Gong Show regulars and other game show celebrities.
But the man who brought them to life is an interesting character indeed. Regardless of the success that he achieved, there was an empty void in his soul that could not be filled. He was a loner who ignored his loyal girlfriend (Drew Barrymore) and seemed to relish watching others humiliated. No wonder why those game shows sprung from his sordid mind.
Though well-made, my criticism is that the film doesn't really have any kind of dramatic arc. Of course, it probably isn't supposed to. But, the progression of the story feels flat, and we are only a witness to the many episodes of Barris's life. There is no real audience involvement or payoff other than to further wonder about his enigmatic life.
One of the strangest elements of Barris's life is his confession of being a CIA hitman who claimed to have committed 33 killings. Can this be true? The film forwards the notion that winners of his game show programs would receive extravagant dates to faraway lands. And, Barris would go along as a chaperone only to duck out for a few hours to kill his mark.
In one interview segment, a colleague confirms that Barris would step away for days at a time, but chuckled at the notion that he could be a killer. Meanwhile, given Barris's general demeanor that embodied goofiness and disdain, you have to wonder if he could be smart enough to weasel his way around the international spy scene and survive. Regardless, most moviegoers want to leave with a sense of wonderment. Here, we leave wondering.
Grade: C
S: 3 out of 3
L: 3 out of 3
V: 2 out of 3
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