Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2002)

Director:

George Clooney

Writers (WGA):

Chuck Barris (book)
Charlie Kaufman (screenplay)

Release Date:

24 January 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Comedy | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Some things are better left top secret

Plot:

An adaptation of the cult memoir of game show impresario Chuck Barris, in which he purports to have been a CIA hitman.

Plot Keywords:

CIA | Assassin | Hitman | Double Life | Dentist

Awards:

7 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Dick Clark	...	Himself
Sam Rockwell	...	Chuck Barris
Michelle Sweeney	...	J. Sweeney
Drew Barrymore	...	Penny
Chelsea Ceci	...	Tuvia, Age 8
Michael Cera	...	Chuck, Age 8 and 11 (as Michael Céra)
Aimee Rose Ambroziak	...	Chuck's Date #1
Isabelle Blais	...	Chuck's Date #2
Melissa Carter	...	Chuck's Date #3
Jennifer Hall	...	Georgia
Ilona Elkin	...	Georgia's Girlfriend
Sean Tucker	...	Barfly
Jaye P. Morgan	...	Herself
Maggie Gyllenhaal	...	Debbie
David Julian Hirsh	...	Freddie Cannon (as David Hirsh)
Jerry Weintraub	...	Larry Goldberg
George Clooney	...	Jim Byrd
Frank Fontaine	...	ABC Executive
Rachelle Lefevre	...	Tuvia, Age 25
Gene Patton	...	Himself (as Gene Gene Patton)
Robert John Burke	...	Instructor Jenks
Daniel Zacapa	...	Renda
Emilio Rivera	...	Benitez
Carlos Carrasco	...	Brazioni
Barbara Bacci	...	Woman in Veil
Janet Lane	...	Blonde Bachelorette
Shaun Balbar	...	Beanpole Bachelor
Jeff Lefebvre	...	Frizzy Hair Bachelor
Michael Filipowich	...	Handsome Bachelor
Samantha Kaine	...	Black Bachelorette (as Samantha Banton)
Christian Paul	...	Black Bachelor
Jim Lange	...	Himself
Kristen Wilson	...	Loretta
Steve Adams	...	Dating Game Director
Maria Bertrand	...	Stud Bachelorette
J. Todd Anderson	...	Stud Bachelor (as John Todd Anderson)
Brad Pitt	...	Brad, Bachelor #1
Matt Damon	...	Matt, Bachelor #2
Murray Langston	...	Actual Unknown Comic
Marlida Ferreira	...	Woman in Pub
Julia Roberts	...	Patricia Watson
Jérôme Tiberghien	...	Englishman
Michael Ensign	...	Simon Oliver
Martin Kevan	...	Chuck's Father
Claudia Besso	...	Chuck's Mother
Isabelle Juneau	...	Amana Girl
Nathalie Morin	...	Bachelorette Winner
Tony Zanca	...	Bachelor Winner
Sergei Priselkov	...	Shaving Man
Rutger Hauer	...	Keeler
Norman Roy	...	Colbert
Marlene Fisher	...	Casting Executive Woman
Richard Kind	...	Casting Executive Man
Suyun Kim	...	Asian Folksinger #1
Shu Lan Tuan	...	Asian Folksinger #2 (as Shulan Noma)
Andre Minicozzi	...	Gong Show Band
Richard Beaudet	...	Gong Show Band
Ron Di Lauro	...	Gong Show Band
Peter N. Wilson	...	Gong Show Band
Bruce Pepper	...	Gong Show Band
Francois St-Pierre	...	Gong Show Band
Bridget Powers	...	Little Person (as Cheryl Murphy)
Krista Allen	...	Pretty Woman
George Randolph	...	Gene Gene
Pascale Devigne	...	Critic (as Pascale De Vigne)
Carlo Berardinucci	...	Waiter
Tanya Anthony	...	Prostitute
Andy Quesnel	...	Gong Show Model (as Andrée-Anne Quesnel)
Keshav Patel	...	Elvis Singer
James Urbaniak	...	Rod Flexner
Leslie Cottle	...	L.A. Bar Woman
Dino Tosques	...	L.A. Bartender
Joe Cobden	...	Unknown Comic
Ethan Thomas C. Dempster	...	Chuck, Age 3
Tommy Hinkley	...	Hambone Man
Bill Corday	...	Justice of the Peace
Chuck Barris	...	Himself - Present Day
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Claire Brosseau	...	Office Worker (uncredited)
Vikki Carr	...	Singer (uncredited)
Veronica Chanel	...	(uncredited)
Olga Chrzanowska	...	Bachelorette (uncredited)
Sally Clelford	...	Bachelorette in Blue (uncredited)
Darcy Donavan	...	Playmate (uncredited)
Joey Elias	...	Drunk (uncredited)
Bob Eubanks	...	Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
Jamie Farr	...	Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
Akiva Goldsman	...	Playboy Party Guest (uncredited)
Benoit Guerin	...	Jim Byrd Lookalike (uncredited)
Dale Hayes	...	NBC Clerk (uncredited)
Mariah Inger	...	Principal (uncredited)
Arte Johnson	...	Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
Krista Morin	...	Bachelorette in Yellow (uncredited)
Mike Paterson	...	Employee #3 (uncredited)
Conrad Pla	...	Large Man (uncredited)
Robert Reynolds	...	Boardroom Personnel (uncredited)
Anna Silk	...	Headset Woman (uncredited)
Sarah Smyth	...	Tina (uncredited)
Monika Spruch	...	Playboy model (uncredited)
Linda Tomassone	...	Monica (uncredited)
Malcolm Travis	...	Berlin Contestant #1 (uncredited)
Alicia Westelman	...	Employee (uncredited)
Jennifer Rae Westley	...	Roommate (uncredited)
Brian D. Wright	...	Gong Show Technician (uncredited)

Directed by
George Clooney

Writing credits (WGA)
Chuck Barris		(book)
Charlie Kaufman		(screenplay)

Produced by
Amy Minda Cohen	....	associate producer
Stephen Evans	....	executive producer
Jonathan Gordon	....	executive producer
Gym Hinderer	....	associate producer
Andrew Lazar	....	producer
Rand Ravich	....	executive producer
Far Shariat	....	co-executive producer
Steven Soderbergh	....	executive producer
Jeffrey Sudzin	....	co-producer
Bob Weinstein	....	executive producer
Harvey Weinstein	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Alex Wurman

Cinematography by
Newton Thomas Sigel

Film Editing by
Stephen Mirrione

Casting by
Ellen Chenoweth

Production Design by
James D. Bissell

Art Direction by
Isabelle Guay		(supervising art director)
Nicolas Lepage
Jean-Pierre Paquet

Set Decoration by
Louis Dandonneau
Anne Galéa
Robert Greenfield

Costume Design by
Renée April

Makeup Department
Steven E. Anderson	....	makeup artist: Los Angeles
Ela Barczewska	....	makeup artist (as Elizabeth Barczewska)
Anita Brabec	....	makeup artist
Barbara Cantu	....	hair stylist
Julie Casault	....	assistant makeup artist: extras
Bonnie Clevering	....	hair stylist: Julia Roberts
Richard Dean	....	makeup artist: Julia Roberts
Jean-Jacques Dion	....	hair stylist
Stephan Dupuis	....	makeup department head
Réjean Forget	....	key hair stylist
Kimberly Greene	....	makeup artist: Drew Barrymore
Martin Lapointe	....	hair stylist: extras
Félix Larivière	....	hair stylist
Christine Larocque	....	wig maker
Catherine Lavoie	....	assistant makeup artist: extras
Kay Majerus	....	additional hair stylist
Cat'Ania McCoy-Howze	....	makeup artist
Julie Mignot	....	assistant makeup artist: extras
Barbara Olvera	....	hair stylist: Drew Barrymore
Denis Parent	....	hair stylist
Angel Radefeld	....	body makeup artist
Cécile Rigault	....	assistant makeup artist
Waldo Sanchez	....	hair stylist: Sam Rockwell & George Clooney
Micheline Trépanier	....	key makeup artist
Nathalie Trépanier	....	assistant makeup artist: head of extras department

Production Management
Pierre Guay	....	assistant unit manager
Pearl A. Lucero	....	production supervisor
Gilles Perreault	....	unit manager
Josette Perrotta	....	unit production manager
Jeffrey Sudzin	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Anne Alloucherie	....	second assistant director
Melissa V. Barnes	....	second assistant director: U.S. and Mexico
Fabrice Barrilliet	....	third assistant director
Simon Dugas	....	assistant director
Agnieszka Kroskowska	....	second second assistant director (as Agnieszka Poninska)
Marisol 'Ari' Oyola	....	dga trainee: Los Angeles
Kenneth Roth	....	second second assistant director
David J. Webb	....	first assistant director

Art Department
J. Todd Anderson	....	storyboard artist
Serge Archambault	....	head scenic artist
Charles-André Bertrand	....	product placement coordinator
Michel Brochu	....	construction supervisor
Gae S. Buckley	....	art director: Los Angeles
Fabrice Callegher	....	assistant property master
Real Capuano	....	scenic technician
Simon Chamberland	....	property master
Frederic Chamoro	....	set dresser
Stephen Craig	....	scenic painter
Louis Dandonneau	....	set dresser
Fannie Duguay-Lefebvre	....	set designer
Marcel Pierre Dussol	....	props
Rusty Gray	....	set dresser (as Rusty Schmidt)
Jonathan R. Hodges	....	property master: USA
Courtney Jackson	....	assistant property master
Alexandre Juneau	....	set dresser
Jean-François Kelahear	....	stand-by scenic painter
Michael Kocurek	....	carpenter
Cynthia La Jeunesse	....	buyer
Helene Lamarre	....	art coordinator
Jim Landis	....	set dresser
Étienne Lapointe-Proulx	....	property master
Étienne Lapointe-Proulx	....	property master: Canada, USA, Mexico (as Etienne Proulx)
Félix Larivière-Charron	....	set designer
Raymond Larose	....	set designer
Jean-Pierre Lavoie	....	set designer
Carl Lessard	....	graphic designer
Nathalie Lortie	....	set designer
Josée Létourneau	....	assistant head scenic
Russell Moore	....	set designer
Nashon Petrushkin	....	set dresser
Benoit Robert	....	set dresser
Benoit Robitaille	....	swing gang
Jocelyne St-Pierre	....	assistant graphic designer
Angela Stauffer	....	art department coordinator: Los Angeles
John Stone	....	construction coordinator
Sheila Thomas	....	painter
Lucie Tremblay	....	set designer
André Valade	....	assistant property master
Mark Weissenfluh	....	co-leadman
Quinn Yarbrough	....	set dresser
Paul Le Maire	....	set dresser (uncredited)
Ara Soudjian	....	art department assistant (uncredited)

Sound Department
Steve Bartkowicz	....	re-recording engineer
Eddie Bydalek	....	sound mix technician
Mike Chock	....	sound effects editor
Matt Colleran	....	sound recordist
Julie Feiner	....	sound effects editor
Daniel Fontaine-Bégin	....	adr recordist
Aaron Glascock	....	supervising sound editor
Michael Minkler	....	sound re-recording mixer
Oscar Mitt	....	assistant sound editor
Myron Nettinga	....	sound re-recording mixer
Kira Roessler	....	dialog editor
Curt Schulkey	....	supervising sound editor
George Simpson	....	sound effects editor
Clint Smith	....	post sound intern
John Joseph Thomas	....	sound editor
Edward Tise	....	production sound mixer
Marvin Walowitz	....	sound effects editor
Keenan Wyatt	....	boom operator
Robert Matthew Doyle	....	sound editorial intern (uncredited)
Linda Lew	....	foley recordist (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Louis Craig	....	special effects supervisor
Mario Dumont	....	special effects senior technician
André Laforest	....	special effects technician
P. David Miller	....	special effects crew (as Paul D. Miller)
Eric-André Paquin	....	special effects technician
Michael Petrucci	....	special effects technician
Pierre 'Bill' Rivard	....	special effects coordinator
Christian Rivest	....	special effects technician
Philippe Roberge	....	special effects technician
Martin Simon	....	special effects
Eric Thivierge	....	special effects makeup
Martin Williams	....	special effects rigger

Visual Effects by
Frank D'Iorio	....	digital compositor
Don Greenberg	....	digital effects artist
Melanie La Rue	....	visual effects producer: Buzz
Andre U. Montambeault	....	digital compositor
Louis Morin	....	visual effects supervisor
Juliette Mourez	....	digital compositor
Jaime Norman	....	visual effects coordinator
Stefano Trivelli	....	senior compositor: R!OT Pictures (uncredited)

Stunts
Mike Chute	....	stunts
Stéphane Lefebvre	....	stunts
Karine Lemieux	....	stunt performer
Brad Martin	....	stunt coordinator
Michael Scherer	....	stunt coordinator
Philippe Soucy	....	stunts

Camera and Electrical Department
Mark Agostino	....	video assist operator
Eric Aubin	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera
Robert Baird	....	assistant camera
Wayne Baker	....	assistant camera
Mireille Baril	....	electrician
Mireille Baril	....	lighting board operator
Robert B. Baylis	....	key grip
Michel Bernier	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Marc Bonin	....	electrician
Bryan Booth	....	rigging gaffer: Los Angeles
Roch Boucher	....	second assistant camera
Bill Brao	....	camera operator: Los Angeles
André Bélaieff	....	generator operator
Frédéric Chabot	....	electrician
Joost Clerinx	....	daily grip
Richard Complaisance	....	rigging grip
Daniel Dallaire	....	electrician
Pierre Daudelin	....	electrician
Benoit Descary	....	camera loader
Amelie Duceppe	....	camera trainee
Eames Gagnon	....	rigging gaffer: Canada
Gilbert Gagnon	....	electrician
Julie Garceau	....	video assist operator
Lisa Guerriero	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera
John Harris	....	pre-light electrician
Tom Hutchinson	....	second assistant camera
Jimmy E. Jensen	....	assistant camera
Sylvain Jouvet	....	electrician
Soupharak Keoborakoth	....	camera trainee
François Legris	....	electrician
Jean Levasseur	....	electrician
John Lewin	....	gaffer: Canada
Michael Lowrance	....	electrician
Alain Masse	....	dolly grip
Gilles Mayer	....	lighting rigging coordinator
Tim Merkel	....	Steadicam operator
Tim Merkel	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Yann Mongrain	....	24 frame video operator
Juan Morse	....	set lighting technician
Anthony G. Nakonechnyj	....	gaffer
Max Neal	....	assistant camera
Dara Norman	....	rigging electric
Richard Paré	....	rigging electrician
Mathieu Price	....	daily grip
Derick Pritchard	....	lighting technician
Patrick Rainville	....	best boy rigging gaffer
Ben Rekhi	....	additional still photographer
Louis Richard	....	electrician
Jeff Scott	....	best boy electric
Takashi Seida	....	still photographer
Nicolas Venne	....	best boy rigging gaffer
Chris Wagganer	....	video assist operator
Roger Robichaud	....	rigging electrician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Susie Farris	....	casting associate
Sara Kay	....	casting assistant: Toronto
Larissa Mair	....	casting assistant
Mike Migliara	....	casting associate: Mike Migliara
Bruno Rosato	....	casting associate
Aldo Tirelli	....	casting: Canada

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Julie Amyot	....	assistant wardrobe
Sophie Beasse	....	key dresser
Susi Campos	....	costumer
Mary Iannelli	....	costumer (as Mary White)
Azmin Jaffer	....	dresser: Mr Rockwell
Robert Q. Mathews	....	costume supervisor: USA
Nino	....	costumer
Eva Prappas	....	set costumer
Damien Quinn	....	costumer
Kenn Smiley	....	key costumer: USA
Fran Vega-Buck	....	costumer: Julia Roberts

Editorial Department
Douglas Crise	....	first assistant editor
Tony Dustin	....	assistant digital film colorist
Tracie Gemmel	....	assistant editor
Nicolae Ilies	....	colorist: dailies
Stephanie Ito	....	digital intermediate producer
Denise Marquez	....	apprentice editor
Stephen Nakamura	....	digital colorist
Keith H. Sauter	....	assistant editor

Music Department
Suzanne Coffman	....	music clearance
Steve Durkee	....	score mixer
Luyanda T. Kunene	....	assistant to composer
Stephen Lotwis	....	music editor
Joe Rangel	....	music supervisor
Andrew Silver	....	supervising music editor
Randy Spendlove	....	executive in charge of music
Peter Thomas	....	composer: additional music
Jim Schultz	....	music editor (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Robert Dulys	....	driver: Los Angeles
Réal Hamel	....	picture car coordinator
Ron Hardman	....	transportation coordinator: Los Angeles
Spiro Tsovras	....	driver: Mr.Clooney

Other crew
Carolin Amiel	....	production assistant
Debra Leilani Bakeman	....	medic
Chuck Barris	....	consultant
Anne Brosseau	....	production coordinator
Brumby Broussard	....	assistant: Julia Roberts
Anouska Chydzik	....	assistant: Andrew Lazar
Mélanie Côté	....	assistant location manager
Céline Daignault	....	location manager
Joseph J. Dawson	....	stand-in: George Clooney
Matt DiFranco	....	assistant production coordinator: Los Angeles
André Déry	....	production assistant
Josée Francis	....	assistant location manager
Mark A. Freid	....	assistant location manager: Los Angeles
John Gaskin	....	production auditor
Ellen Gessert	....	location manager: Los Angeles
Chrissy Gilmartin	....	production assistant
David Greenbaum	....	executive assistant: Harvey Weinstein
Benoit Guerin	....	stand-in: George Clooney, Montreal
Pierre Guevremont	....	production accountant
Nancy Haecker	....	location manager: Mexico/Arizona
Marc W. Havener	....	set production assistant
Judy Heinzen	....	key assistant location manager
Travis Hills	....	set production assistant: Los Angeles
Pamela Hilse	....	production coordinator: Los Angeles
Jean-Patrick Joseph	....	special equipment supplier
Sotos Katakos	....	paymaster
Spiri Katerelos	....	second assistant accountant
Gordon Katz	....	trainer: Mr. Rockwell
Rafael Kayanan	....	trainer: Mr. Rockwell
Thomas Kier	....	trainer: Mr. Rockwell
Marie La Haye	....	continuity
Marie La Haye	....	script supervisor
David Lear	....	production assistant
Sandra Lee	....	product placement & marketing (as Sandra Gabrych)
Cara Leibovitz	....	unit publicist
Josianne Mailloux	....	production office assistant
Julie Mankowski	....	production accountant
Sylvie Martin	....	production secretary
Angel McConnell	....	assistant: George Clooney
Chris Miller	....	assistant: Drew Barrymore (as Christopher Miller)
Patrick Paeper	....	assistant: Sam Rockwell
Denis Paquette	....	assistant location manager
Edward Poveda	....	payroll accountant
Deborah Ricketts	....	stock footage researcher
Eric Ian Robinson	....	assistant: Harvey Weinstein
Chad Saxton	....	set production assistant: Los Angeles
Peter G. Smith	....	production assistant
Tyler Thornberg	....	production assistant
Marie-Pierre Tétreault	....	24 frame video coordinator
Miri Yoon	....	assistant: Andrew Lazar
Edward Fuller	....	stand-in: Mr. Rockwell, Montreal (uncredited)
Anthony Gore	....	post-production delivery (uncredited)
Steven Jetton	....	layout board (uncredited)
Daniel Veluzat	....	location liaison (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Miramax Films (presents)
• Mad Chance
• Section Eight (in association with)
• Mel's Cite du Cinema
• JVS & Co. (in association with)

Distributors

• Miramax Films (2002) (USA) (theatrical)
• Alliance Atlantis Communications (2003) (Canada) (theatrical)
• Ascot Elite Entertainment Group (2003) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International Spain (2004) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2003) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2003) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Buena Vista International (2003) (UK) (theatrical)
• Cinergia (2003) (Ukraine) (theatrical)
• Columbia TriStar Films AB (2003) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Eagle Pictures (2003) (Italy) (theatrical)
• GAGA (2003) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Humax Pictures (2003) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Pandasia Entertainment (2003) (Taiwan) (theatrical)
• RCV Film Distribution (2003) (Belgium) (theatrical)
• RCV Film Distribution (2003) (Luxembourg) (theatrical)
• RCV Film Distribution (2003) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• TFM Distribution (2003) (France) (theatrical)
• West (2003) (Russia) (theatrical)
• Alliance Atlantis Home Video (2003) (Canada) (DVD)
• Gativideo (2004) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Gativideo (2004) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Imagem Filmes (200?) (Brazil) (DVD)
• Imagem Filmes (200?) (Brazil) (VHS)
• Miramax Home Entertainment (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• RCV Home Entertainment (2003) (Netherlands) (DVD) (VHS)
• Talpa (2005) (Netherlands) (TV)
• Toho Video (2004) (Japan) (DVD)
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (2012) (Argentina) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Intrigue (special effects)
• Buzz Image Group (visual effects)

Other Companies

• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  cranes and dollies
• DVA Montreal  digital video assist
• Miramax Records  soundtrack released by
• Montreal Casting  extras casting
• Picture Mill, The  titles
• ShowBiz Enterprises  draperies
• Visual Motion  camera trucks and trailers provided by
• William F. White International  grip and lighting equipment

Also Known As:

"Confession" - Japan (English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language, sexual content and violence

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA | Germany | Canada

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Brazil:16 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:14A | Finland:K-15 | Germany:12 (bw) | Hong Kong:IIB | Ireland:18 | Japan:PG-12 | Netherlands:12 | New Zealand:R16 | Norway:15 | Singapore:R(A) | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Zurich) | UK:15 | Canada:A (Ontario) | USA:R (certificate #39478) | Iceland:12 (video rating) | Iceland:14 (original rating) | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:18 | Hungary:16 | Philippines:R-18 | Italy:VM14 | Peru:14

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Company:

Miramax Films

Trivia:

A tour guide says that her favorite television show stars Rosemary Clooney, aunt of director George Clooney. G. Clooney also includes R. Clooney in the movie by playing her recording of "There's No Business Like Show Business" over the end credits.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When Chuck Barris shoots the man in Helsinki ("sorry 'bout your teeth") he is using an automatic pistol, but no cartridges eject. Only revolvers keep the cartridges inside the gun after the bullet is fired.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Dick Clark:I wouldn't want to live his life because he hasn't been happy all of his life. All I think is if you can find work, stay healthy, find somebody to share it with, you're the ultimate success. He's had some of the pieces of the puzzle, but not all of them.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in The 76th Annual Academy Awards (2004) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Hypnotique

Fact Stranger Than Fiction

We all remember Chuck Barris as the creator of some of television's most successful - albeit notoriously mind-numbing - game shows: `The Dating Game,' `The Newlywed Game,' and `The Gong Show.' But did you know that he was also a hit man for the CIA? Well, that's what he claims, straight from his own `unauthorized autobiography' entitled `Confessions of a Dangerous Mind,' which has now been made into a movie by director George Clooney and writer Charlie Kaufman. Kaufman is known for devising elaborately absurd scenarios for his fictional films (`Being John Malkovich,' `Adaptation' etc.), yet even Kaufman, in his wildest fantasies, could not have come up with a more bizarre premise than the one this real life story affords. No wonder he was drawn to this material. They are a perfect fit. In the world of movies, who says fact isn't stranger than fiction?

In many ways, Barris was one of the men responsible for starting the trend towards `reality television' that so dominates network programming today. His most famous hits (especially `The Gong Show') were all based on the premise that millions of Americans would be willing to humiliate themselves in public for a few moments of fleeting fame – and that millions more would tune in to bear witness to the spectacle. Barris, craving fame himself, was simply savvy enough to plug into that national mood - and managed to make himself a fortune and turn himself into a household name in the process. What most of us didn't know about Barris at the time was that, while all this was going on, he was ostensibly leading a double life as a secret agent, tracking down and killing any number of `bad guys,' all in the name of `national security.'

Given the inherently incredible, jaw-dropping nature of the material, George Clooney, in his directorial debut, brings an appropriately surrealistic tone to the work. He employs a number of visual devices that help to fragment the world in which the story takes place. Certain scenes break through the constraints of time and space, as when Barris is talking on the phone in his apartment to an ABC executive, who is sitting in his office, and the two locations become one on the screen. The sense of dislocation this technique creates perfectly reflects the mental split occurring in Barris' own disturbed psyche. This style is further enhanced by the use of slightly off-kilter camera angles, color filtering and sepia tones in some of the shots. Scenarist Charlie Kaufman, as always, brings his own quirky vision to bear on the material. He cleverly balances the two `sides' of Barris' life, transitioning smoothly between those scenes revolving around his career as TV show producer and those revolving around his career as CIA operative. Moreover, Kaufman does a nice job getting inside the head of this man who is trying to fight the demons of his own past, make a name for himself in the high stakes world of network programming, cope with his own inadequacies as a person, and come to terms with the vile things he is doing in his secret life all at the same time.

As Barris, Sam Rockwell gives a terrific, high-energy performance, capturing the sadness and paranoia of a man who seems to know deep down inside that his fame is probably undeserved, built as it is on mediocre ideas and a willingness to exploit the baser instincts of human nature. Drew Barrymore brings her usual charm to the role of Penny, Barris' one true love and the only person genuinely drawn to Barris as a person, even though he is unable to commit himself to her fully, preferring instead to keep the relationship `casual' and uncommitted. Barris finds it impossible to make a real, meaningful connection to another human being, so twisted has he become in his value system and bizarre lifestyle. Rounding out the cast are Clooney himself, as the mysterious CIA agent who draws Barris into this strange netherworld of intrigue and danger, Rutger Hauer, as a fellow hit man who pours out his feelings about his chosen occupation to Barris, Julia Roberts, as the icy cool CIA operative who pops up at various moments and in various places to keep an eye on the young recruit, and even Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, who show up for a truly hilarious cameo appearance together, one that had the audience at the screening I attended howling with delight.

The $64,000 question becomes, of course, is this story even remotely true, or is it merely another case of this master showman's playing the public for all its worth? I haven't the slightest idea. The filmmakers certainly take it all very seriously, as evidenced by the fact that they have various friends and business acquaintances of Barris (Dick Clark, Jay P. Morgan) providing interviews for the film, interviews which hint at the dark possibility that the basis of the story might indeed be factual, given the kind of person these people claim Barris is. This gives the film a kind of pseudo-documentary realism that heightens the verisimilitude of what we are seeing on screen. Whether the film is really a true story or merely a grand lark perpetrated on an increasingly credulous audience, the fact is that `Confessions of a Dangerous Mind' turns out to be a thoroughly entertaining, utterly loony piece of original filmmaking.

`Confessions of a Dangerous Mind' marks an auspicious debut for Clooney as a director, who, in his work behind the camera, demonstrates a thorough command of vision and style. One looks forward to his next endeavor.