Review of True Confessions (1981) by Craig T — 31 Jan 2011

Ulu Grosbard directs Robert De Niro and Robert Duvall in a murder mystery based in the 1940's. It centers loosely around the Black Dahlia murders, deals with the political themes of the church, and also shows the contrasting lives of two brothers.

It has the look and finished touches of the 40's. It certainly has the talent. What sets up as a sure shot winner ultimately takes the easy way out and we're stuck wondering why. I want to know what happened here because this could have been a classic.

The slow pace and mottled events takes on no real shape. It is simply not interesting enough for its potential. The film has a story that even it can't stick with, it has no heart. It is as passive of a movie as you can find.

Duvall chums up some action with Charles Durning (he is one of the stand out features) and gets us focusing on their next move but it never really takes place. We get introduced to some of the sketchy call girls but that is a disappointing avenue as well.

De Niro never shows us the end of his patience with the corruption he finds himself surrounded by and we just get to see a dusty aftermath somewhere in the desert. While I can only really appreciate the time that both Bobs shared on screen together discussing the diluted plot details, the rest is choppy and the real mystery remains: how on earth could this formula get fouled up? (D).