Confessions of a Dangerous Mind
Not exactly a comedy, farce, cautionary tale, spy movie, straight biography, history lesson or any of the other genres it flirts with, “Confessions” is nothing so much as a fun, engaging ride. By his own account a schlock TV producer and host by day, CIA contract killer by night, Chuck Barris ushered in just about every “reality” and “talent” program cluttering up the airwaves 30 years later. One of the film’s many pleasures is seeing parallels between “The Gong Show” and, say, “American Idol.”
But there are many other pleasures to be had. Sam Rockwell is fantastic as Barris, and Drew Barrymore is in full “quirky lovable” mode as his long-suffering girlfriend. George Clooney, in his directorial debut, does hip-cool stuff with the camera without it becoming annoying. And I liked that the spy stuff is played (relatively) straight – whether it’s true or not is beside the point.
Not going to be everyone’s speed, but recommended.