Film Review: Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)

George Clooney is one of the few remaining Hollywood stars that can be described as such in traditional meaning of the word. He earned that status by slowly advancing career from being just another pretty face, than through serious dramatic roles and, finally, as an accomplished director. The career behind the camera began with Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, 2002 biopic, which is considered to be one of the more unusual works of the genre to come from Hollywood in 21st Century.

The film is unusual because it was written by Charlie Kaufman, author who became famous for scripts that were “out there” in the most positive meaning of the word. And the basis for the film was also work that could be described as “out there”. It was eponymous 1984 “unauthorised autobiography” by Chuck Barris, television producer and game show host. The plot begins in 1981 in a hotel room in New York City. Chuck Barris (played by Sam Rockwell) has been experiencing career setbacks and he tries to find some meaning in life by putting his experiences on paper. Through flashbacks plot introduces Barris as a young man who in 1950s and 1960s tries to break into the show business with sole motivation to seduce women. After failed attempts to advance through the ranks of television network and little more success as 1960s pop songwriter, he attempts his big break in 1965 with Dating Game, new show he proposed to the management of ABC network and in which young woman have to choose between three candidates for the date. ABC is at first sceptical, but then Barris attracts attention of Robert Byrd (played by George Clooney), mysterious CIA agent. He thinks thatr up-and-coming television producer possesses all the qualities for top field intelligence operative. Barris reluctantly agrees to join him and goes through the training. In the meantime, ABC executives change their mind and approve new show, which would become big hit. After that, Barris is forced to live parallel lives – one in which is television producer, and another, in which he works as CIA assassin. Over time, he begins torn between those careers, just like he gets torn between two women who won his heart – faithful girlfriend Penny (played by Drew Barrymore) and CIA agent Patricia (played by Julia Roberts). In late 1970s Barris starts new show which features deliberately selected performers with lack of talent. The Gong Show is great success, but savaged by critics who see it as symptom of downfall of Western civilisation. Afterwards, Byrd tells him that CIA was compromised by a mole within its ranks and that his life might be in danger.

Clooney has, thanks to his background (his father was television director), as well as career that brought him under the wing of many distinguished director, learned a lot of what to do behind camera. Because of that Confessions of Dangerous Mind is a film that looks less than the average Hollywood biopic. The most obvious influence is from the works of Steven Soderbergh, that could be seen in very stylish cinematography of Newton Thomas Sigel and use of different colours; scene describing Barris’ television career are shown with the use of warm and those with Barris as Cold War assassin with the use of cold tones. Clooney also had good fortune of working with cast and crew of Sodebergh’s films. The best impression, however, is given by Sam Rockwell, actor who was relatively unknown at the time and for whom the role of Chuck Barris represented one of the most successful in his career. Rockwell is very good in conveying character with serious inferiority complex and doubts of quality of his show and makes his attempt to rediscover himself as cold-blooded government killer convincing. Clooney himself is good as his silent and sinister boss.

Clooney, on the other hand, wasn’t that successful with the casting of Julia Roberts in role of glamorous spy seducer, a character quite atypical for the actress’ career. She seems not that convincing in the role and reminds viewers of the biggest flaw of the film – unanswered question whether the story of Barris’ spy career was true or product of his sick imagination. Clooney and Kaufman, on one hand, didn’t want to insult Barris by suggesting that he was liar, while, on the other hand, they didn’t want to insult viewer’s intelligence. The result is unfortunate compromise that makes us feel like we are watching to two films fused into one – a classic Hollywood biopic with a lot of sarcastic humour; and serious and cold spy thriller that would be more appropriate as BBC miniseries. Clooney in two hours of running time apparently didn’t find enough opportunity to explore both stories, so, among other things, excellent Dutch actor Rutger Hauer is wasted in tragically undeveloped character of Barris’ fellow assassin. Clooney, despite those flaws, should be commended for his work and there is enough humour in the film (including one from real television footage in 1960s) that could entertain most of those who give Confessions of a Dangerous Mind a chance.

RATING: 6/10 (++)

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