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Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
(2002)
This film has been out since 2002, and I only recently purchased it on DVD. I have to say I had to watch it twice before I decided that I really liked it. I have to begin by saying that this movie is not for everyone. Not at all. First of all the screenplay was written by Charlie Kaufman and his work can be very abstract, even confusing. Most of you will know Kaufman from Being John Malkovich (1999), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), and Adaptation (2002). His work translated onto the screen can be fragmented, and bizarre. But I happen to be one of those cinema crazies that LOVES these movies. In fact his unique sense of the world can seem more honest and complete then more straightforward stories.
For those of you who don’t know, the film is based on a book written by television personality and producer, Chuck Barris (Newlywed Game, The Dating Game, The Gong Show, etc). The book of the same name, states that along with being a television producer, he was also a hitman for the CIA and killed 33 people. No one is sure if this is true or not, but the film plays out with the idea that he did kill for the CIA. I mean, that makes it interesting right?
I have to say George Clooney was a fabulous first time director. He definitely has a unique vision for his film. He truly experimented with the camera, using a lot of shots called “oners”, which means some of the scenes were shot in one take, and the sets or actors would literally have to move around and even change their clothes during a single take to give the illusion of time passing or a setting change. The result is very interesting and fresh. I have to say it’s a distinct style of direction, so I applaud Clooney. If you want to see this in action, check out the extras on the DVD. I think Clooney really made the most out of the screenplay.
The film also plays around with a lot of unique shots, mimicking the condition of Chuck’s mental state. The film asks the audience to be aware of what is real and what isn’t, and sometimes this is muddled. Some scenes are just plain surreal. Of course, there is still humor laced through the insanity, another reason I love the movie. Black comedies are one of my favorite genres, and I can tell that Clooney really loves mixing violent images with very dark humor.
Clooney also awards himself a small part in the movie as Jim Byrd, a mysterious agent that comes to Chuck with the CIA offer. If anything Byrd is a plot device, driving Chuck further into madness, and further down the road as a murderer. The role is good though. Byrd is a somber, shell of a man, who doesn’t seem to have any sort of life outside of being a kind of ghost. He appears and disappears when it’s convenient, and acts as an example of what Chuck could become if he kept up with the life of a hitman.
I adore Drew Barrymore, and this role is no exception. She pays Chuck's true love, Penny, with both depth and innocence, something Chuck completely lacks most of the time. Throughout the movie, Penny is constantly updating herself according to the trends of the time, complete with new terminology (1960's-1980's) and it's constantly amusing (in one scene she walks in, and says "I'm a hippie now.") Her mispronunciation of words and her relentless love for Chuck is charming and heartbreaking. Basically she is the heart of the whole operation, an anchor for Chuck when he goes off the deep end. She does well as an angel on his shoulder, while Byrd is clearly the devil whispering in his other ear.
The real star of the show is Sam Rockwell, a character actor that always seems to go above and beyond. If you watch footage of Barris and then see Rockwell’s interpretation, it’s dead on. His ability to change throughout the film is seamless and wonderful to watch. It’s almost a tragedy that Rockwell is constantly pegged as a side-kick. He is both frighteningly harsh, and extremely tender, depending on his situation, and he really brings the audience into the story and helps us to see this struggle between his three worlds: television, killing, and Penny. He brings just enough sleaze to the role without making Chuck unlikable, and really shines when Chuck is going crazy. The film asks a lot from him, and he comes through with flying colors. Truly, the movie is worth seeing just for his performance alone.
Julia Roberts has an interesting role in the film as well, which she did for free as a favor to Clooney (the budget was very low for this film). Also, be on the lookout for cameos by Brad Pitt and Matt Damon during one of the Dating Game sequences (they are contestants). Maggie Gyllenhaal also makes an appearance as Penny’s roommate.
The film overall seems to act as a lesson. Is television production just as ruthless as being a professional hitman? Watch the movie and decide for yourself. Barris may have outsmarted us all.
-Conor Aylsworth
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All contents ©
2004-2009 Thoughtsonfilm.com |
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Director:
George Clooney
Writer: Charlie Kaufman, Chuck Barris
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore, Julia Roberts, George Clooney, Rutger Hauer
Distributor: Miramax Films
Runtime: 113
min
Rating: R
Release Date: January 21, 2003
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