Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002) 15
Dir: George Clooney
Stars: Sam Rockwell. Drew Barrymore, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Rutger Hauer
Stars: Sam Rockwell. Drew Barrymore, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Rutger Hauer
Story
An adaptation of the cult memoir of game show impresario Chuck Barris, in which he purports to have been a CIA hitman.
Review
I recently had to rewatch this as it was picked for movie of the week in a film club I am in. I hadn't seen it since its release and was looking forwards to it and if it still sat with me as a good film. Honestly, I cannot remember it being so funny, entertaining and intriguing (yes the second time).
Clooneys Debut as a director is a solid effort and the film oozes charm and wit. There are some good performances throughout but Rockwell is just a total scene stealer (with the exception to one scene which I shall come to) and just dominates the screen.
I have always enjoyed Rockwell and would like to see him do more films. I do hope he stays in these kind of roles as they do suit him and I would hate to see him jump into a one-dimensional character that we regularly see in a lt of films nowadays.
Clooneys Debut as a director is a solid effort and the film oozes charm and wit. There are some good performances throughout but Rockwell is just a total scene stealer (with the exception to one scene which I shall come to) and just dominates the screen.
I have always enjoyed Rockwell and would like to see him do more films. I do hope he stays in these kind of roles as they do suit him and I would hate to see him jump into a one-dimensional character that we regularly see in a lt of films nowadays.
The film sells itself brilliantly. The muted colours and other effects for flashbacks and 'talking heads' are used perfectly. There are several tremendous tracking shots that demonstrate that Clooney is more than just an actor and humanitarian as well as some very clever set pieces (eg: Chuck on the phone in his apartment to the studio Boss' office).
The costume dept really did a brilliant job and Chucks wardrobe gets cooler and cooler and the movie goes on.
The best scene is of the contestants of The Dating Game being told the guidelines by a representative of the government. Robert John Blake really hams it up but he is also extremely threatening. His conviction in his speech to the youngsters is so funny and I would have liked to have seen more of him.
It is hard to nail down a genre that this film would slot into. Comedy, love story, spy movie, thriller. They are all here.
For most directors, a debut gig is a hard task and often shows. Clooney is clearly as comfortable behind the lens as he is in front of it.
The costume dept really did a brilliant job and Chucks wardrobe gets cooler and cooler and the movie goes on.
The best scene is of the contestants of The Dating Game being told the guidelines by a representative of the government. Robert John Blake really hams it up but he is also extremely threatening. His conviction in his speech to the youngsters is so funny and I would have liked to have seen more of him.
It is hard to nail down a genre that this film would slot into. Comedy, love story, spy movie, thriller. They are all here.
For most directors, a debut gig is a hard task and often shows. Clooney is clearly as comfortable behind the lens as he is in front of it.