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Confessions
of A Dangerous Mind
a film review by Taryn A. Harris
Confessions of A Dangerous Mind, is the adaptation by Charlie Kaufman of Chuck
Barris' autobiography which claims he was a television producer
by day and a CIA assassin by night.
Sam Rockwell gives a terrific performance
as Chuck Barris, the man who gave us the bubble gum hit "Palisades
Park", The Dating Game, The Newlywed Game and the heinous
Gong Show. Rockwell brings humanity, sympathy and amiability
to the role of Barris, who was accused of "the destruction
of television, Western civilization and the world as we know
it."
I really enjoyed Drew Barrymore as the
long-suffering, hippie girlfriend Penny who provides Chuck Barris
with a sense of home and comfort, although he betrays her time
and time again.
George Clooney does double duty as director
(his debut) and actor (with remarkable deadpan) in his role as
Jim Byrd, the agent who recruits Barris. Byrd tells Barris that
he fits the profile and his life as a television producer
Julia Roberts plays a seductive CIA agent
a la Natasha from Rocky and Bullwinkle and gets to slink around
and wear delicious hats.
Almost didn't recognize Rutger Hauer who
plays another CIA operative, in one of the film's funnier scenes.
Amusing cameos by Brad Pitt and Matt Damon
and I could swear Brian Warner aka Marilyn Manson plays a Gong
Show contestant.
It's unclear whether the events are true,
but overall, this is a very good film about a man and his scramble
for greatness. Kudos to George Clooney. He has a definitive
eye for filmmaking.
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