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by pat

Any movie based on an unautorized autobiography is going to get my attention. When it's about Chuck Barris, game show legend, and his career as an unofficial CIA assasin, the interest rises. Add George Clooney, Drew Barrymore, Julia Roberts, and a solid set of cameos, more interest. Adapted by Charlie Kaufman, former "Get a Life" writer and probably the most inventive screenwriter to hit the scene in years, and directed by George Clooney, who has credited the Coens and Soderberg as influeces on his style (wella-duh), this became one of the biggest must-sees for me this year. Of course, getting one's expectations up, especially for an odd project and a directorial debut, is as dangerous as Barris may or may not have been with his bare hands. That it is looking to be a lock for one of my top five movies of the year is sweet relief.

The script was amazing. The dialogue crisp, the humor great, the drama deep, the symolism layered, it was solid work. Now consider that it was not exactly a book considered filmable at all, and the success is that much more impressive. Kaufman is the bomb. While many movies based on actual events tend to take anywhere from a little liberty for narrative purposes ("Private Ryan") to utterly making things up out of either lack of research or disregard for actual history ("The Patriot"), this script takes joy in purposely distorting and falsifying the real events. Famous moments in television history are exaggerated beyond even their questionable origin ("Newlywed Game's" infamous "in the butt" answer) while other things, like the whole CIA subplot or his relationship with Penny (Barrymore), are such fantastic fabrication that you can understand why Barris never gave himself permission to write his autobiography.

Sam Rockwell, as Barris, was spot on. He had the look, the mannerisms, the moves, all played with a solid internal core. While his impression was amazing, it was more than that. He played a man who had dreams, had problems, and had an escape in killing people. I'd say I'd be shocked if he doesn't get an Oscar nomination, but little about the Oscars shocks me anymore. Everyone else in the film was strong as well, by the way. The best besides Rockwell had to be the cameo by Robert John Burke, sadly best known for "Robocop 3" and "Thinner," instead of "The Unbelievable Truth" or "Simple Men." He was frigging hilarious as a representative of the FCC. Quick moment of honesty, I thought he was Jeffrey "Re-Animator" Combs until I saw his name in the closing credits. Rutger Hauer puts in a strong bit part as well, and for a real weird shock there's a great monologue from Krista Allen of the "Emmanuel in Space" series. Not kidding.

Most impressive about the film was Clooney's direction. I could easily compile a list of known directors currently working who have less than a tenth of the grasp of the craft as George has in the initial go. Philip Noyce is getting acclaim for "Quiet American?" I don't get it. The shots are well framed to balance out symbolic relationships as well as remain interesting visually. The use of color, grain, angle, and balance is so good it goes beyond just a talented cinematographer. Newton Thomas Sigel ("Three Kings," "X-Men," "Usual Suspects") is talented, for the record. As an actor, he was also able to relate to the performers to pull out what was needed for each scene. As somebody who worked on plenty of bad films before he hit it big, he knew the value of losing scenes and performances for the sake of movie the story along at a solid pace. I knew he'd be able to put together something functional, but after this I want to see Clooney concentrate more on the directing career than the acting career, and as an actor I'll see something he's in just because he's in it. Who knew the guy from "Facts of Life" had such mad skills?

A LITTLE BIT DANGEROUS

by jim

Wow, a movie based on the fictional autobiography of a man most people only remember as a seventies curiosity. Talk about your tough sell. Of course, attaching the names of two of my favorite actors ever, Drew Barrymore and George Clooney, sure helps a lot. Besides that, you have the group of people who consider Chuck Barris' "unauthorized autobiography" a work of masterful genius, I, being of the opinion that, "Print is dead", have never read the book and am sort of conflicted, being a writer who just doesn't enjoy reading. Ironic, huh?

The film is directed by George Clooney, who is making is debut in that role. To watch his work, you almost wouldn't know it. I'm sure his friendship/partnership with Steven Soderbergh has certainly helped him learn a thing or two about the process, regardless, his vision is interesting and emotional. The film, exists in a very surreal visual world, this stylistic choices matches perfectly with the film's eccentric subject matter. For in Barris' book, he "tells all" about he helped create the modern game show (true) while simultaneously working as a CIA assassin (um...not so true?). Clooney's use of dream-like imagery keeps us guessing throughout if what we are seeing is real or fantasy, while this concept isn't wholly original (A BEAUTIFUL MIND pops up in recent history), it has never been used in this tone. Despite the savage things Barris does both to himself in others, Clooney manages to keep the whole thing fun. Pacing is a problem in some places, but not very often and not for long.

Sam Rockwell plays Chuck Barris a little unevenly. Bear in mind, I am not quite sold on Rockwell as a leading man. I think he is certainly gifted, but he lacks a certain screen presence that often makes me wished they'd casted someone else. Of course, seeing as how an early choice for the role was Johnny Depp (the greatest actor of his generation and don't you forget it!), it would be nearly impossible for me to watch Rockwell and not wonder what might have been. From what I've seen of the real Chuck Barris, Rockwell does a great job of mimicking some of his on-screen antics, but I failed to see an origin for his mannerisms and motions. I was almost as if I was watching him play two different parts. The way he moves and acts in the sequences surrounding THE GONG SHOW, don't carry over at all into his outside life.

Drew Barrymore is rarely going to receive anything but the highest praise from me. I think she's a exceptionally talented actress who is just waiting to have that talent exploited in the right vehicle. As hard as she tries, this isn't that vehicle. Her character, Penny, Barris' longtime lover, is not terribly well constructed. She reminded me of Courtney Love's role in MAN ON THE MOON. Like Love, Barrymore makes much more out of the role than she was given, and she certainly manages to strengthen the reality of things. This is some of Drew's best work as an actress, I just would have liked to seen that effort supported a little more by the script.

The supporting cast is dotted with Clooney's famous friends (though buddy Mark Wahlberg is suspiciously absent), including, well, Clooney himself. As CIA Agent Jim Byrd, Clooney is aloof and subdued enough to help play up the "is he or isn't he?" fantasy surrounding Barris' new job. Another welcome sight is Julia Roberts playing a role so un-Julia Roberts that I'll leave the details for you to discover on your own. I will say this, Roberts uses the opportunity to display her underrated range as an actress. Robert John Burke shows up as a hilariously ardent network watchdog, and up-and-comer Maggie Gyllenhaal shows up in a role so insignificant that I suspect it was cut back considerably. Also, Matt Damon and Brad Pitt show up for two of the funniest cameos I've ever seen.

Charlie Kaufman's script isn't as out there and twisted as one might expect from him, and frankly, I think the film would have been better served if it had. CONFESSIONS is an entertaining film and visually, always interesting to watch. However, I think I stronger script and a more commanding leading man could have elevated this film to a higher level. As a whole, the film overcomes it's faults and provides a ridiculously funny good time. It may not be great cinema, but, come on, it's the fake life of Chuck Freaking Barris! Making a movie that was great art, would almost be an insult.