Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002) / Brad Pitt Filmography

Summary: This fictitious story is about the secret life of Gong Show host (and creator of The Newlywed Game and The Dating Game) Chuck Barris (Rockwell), including the time he spent as CIA assassin "Sunny Sixkiller", making hits while under the guise of chaperoning the game show contestants who have won vacation prizes. Based on the book "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind: An Unauthorized Autobiography," by Gong Show host Chuck Barris.

Review:

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is blessed with a number of fine performances. As Chuck Barris, Sam Rockwell is phenomenal. This is as good a job of acting and mimicry as anyone has given since Jim Carrey essayed Andy Kaufman. Clooney gives himself the low-key role of Jim Bryd, Barris' CIA contact. Drew Barrymore is Penny, Barris' long-term, long-suffering girlfriend. Julia Roberts accepts a supporting part as Patricia, the resident femme fatale. There are also distracting, blink-and-you'll-miss-them cameos by Brad Pitt and Matt Damon (and possibly someone else whom I may have blinked and missed).

Clooney goes to great pains to identify Barris' approach to television with that of today's so-called reality shows. A newspaper headline identifies him with the "decline of modern civilization." And Barris wonders, "Who could imagine that there were so many Americans willing to make an ass out of themselves just to get on TV?" Is he talking about "The Gong Show" or "Fear Factor?" This particular avenue isn't explored, but it is mentioned.

Genres: Comedy, Crime, Drama, Thriller, Biography

Runtime: 143 min.

Release Date: December 31st, 2002 (LA/NY).

MPAA Rating: R for language, sexual content and violence.

Country: USA / Canada / Germany

Language: English

Color: Color

Sound Mix: DTS / Dolby Digital / SDDS

Distributor: Miramax

Cast and Credits:

Starring: Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Fred Savage

Directed by: George Clooney, Steven Soderbergh