Review of Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002) by Kevin D — 22 Jun 2010

Sam Rockwell is one of those people that looks like everyone, specifically Adam Carolla, Edward Norton, Michael Richards, and Casey Affleck among others who I am probably forgetting (he also sounds a lot like Affleck).

All of that is random and beside the main point: This movie is a modern classic that is a work of sheer and utter brilliance. I cannot think of a more overlooked or underrated film in recent memory. In his directorial debut, George Clooney made a film that even some of the most seasoned directors cannot top. It's really that good.

Just after the 90 minute mark of the film, I realized that this movie was one of my all-time favorites. This film is simply spellbounding. The music montages are exquisitely well-done. The editing and cinematography are unbelievable. It's a shame neither were nominated for Oscars (it's actually even more of a shame that nothing in this movie was recognized by the Oscars or Golden Globes). I cannot recall a movie with more inventive or creative cinematography. Each shot is carefully planned out, whether it be a Leone-esque close-up, a spinning shot, or a special effects shot combining archive footage with new footage.

This film simply looks great. Even the sound editing is impressive. The sound of the film (and sometimes lack or distorting of sound) adds more meaning to the movie. Master screenwriter Charlie Kaufman writes another masterpiece here, adapted from Chuck Barris's autobiography.

I remember back in 2002 when this movie came out, I was immediately intrigued by its premise: A man is a star television producer by day and a CIA assassin by night. You're probably asking yourself why it took me 8 years to watch this movie if I wanted to see it so badly, and honestly, I cannot answer that question.

Going back to the premise, it has been argued whether or not all of the events in the film/autobiography are true (mostly that CIA stuff), but I think that is beside the point. The events in the film are believable. Plus, deep in its heart, this movie is a tongue in cheek pitch black comedy. This movie is pure fun.

If there is one thing about the movie that I have to complain about, it is the casting. Don't get me wrong, Rockwell was born to play the lead role of Barris and Barrymore is especially sympathetic as Barris' on again off again girlfriend. It just seems that Clooney's best friends were cast into the movie instead of the people who were right for the parts (that includes Clooney's role as well as some of the side characters).

However, the movie still works despite some casting problems. I think this is a movie that gets better on repeat viewings. It might be played off as a dark comedy, but there is some deep meaning laying beyond the layers of the movie. It certainly takes the viewer deep inside a deeply disturbed human mind, it criticizes the declining state of television, and even has some existentialist overtones.

Stylistically, this movie was like the style of Steven Soderbergh combined with the style of Paul Thomas Anderson. It's an absolute joy watching the crazy story shape together. The perfection of its technical aspects combined with its intriguing story make Confessions of a Dangerous Mind a great film.