Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is a 2002 drama film directed by George Clooney. It is based on an autobiography by Chuck Barris of the same name (ISBN 0786888083), adapted by Charlie Kaufman.

Plot

The movie tells the life story of Chuck Barris, who was a game show host and, according to Barris's autobiography, a CIA hitman. Barris was largely responsible for the creation of several television game shows, including The Dating Game, The Gong Show, and The Newlywed Game. The movie portrays Barris's career as a television producer and host, along with his supposed life as an assassin who uses his visits to Europe as a chaperone for Dating Game prize winners as a cover for his murderous deeds. While portraying Barris's alleged CIA exploits in an almost comic-book style, the movie does not explicitly state his claims to be false. The movie includes interviews with a number of Barris's real-life friends and colleagues.

Reviews and response

The movie was generally well-received by critics, with Clooney's direction and Rockwell's lead performance widely praised. However, as Clooney himself stated, the film "bombed" at the box office, racking in a lackluster U.S. total gross of roughly $16 million, about half the cost of production. The movie surprisingly did better overseas, bringing the combined domestic and foreign total to $33 million.

Trivia

• Mike Myers, Ben Stiller, and John Cusack were at one time or another, contenders for the role of Chuck Barris.
• David Fincher was considered to direct the project.
• The project was set to start shooting with Johnny Depp in the lead, George Clooney as Jim Byrd and Bryan Singer directing, but the project fell apart despite a heavy pre-production phase; sets were broken down in Canada, where the film was set to start shooting. Clooney took over and cast Sam Rockwell as Chuck Barris. Clooney initially had trouble getting the project off the ground with Miramax's approval, since Rockwell wasn't yet well known. Clooney pointed out that he had a strong cast, including not only Rockwell and himself, but also Drew Barrymore and Julia Roberts.
• Brad Pitt and Matt Damon appear as Game Show Contestants as a favour to their friend George Clooney.

Main cast

• Sam Rockwell ... as Chuck Barris
• Drew Barrymore ... as Penny
• George Clooney ... as Jim Byrd
• Julia Roberts ... as Patricia Watson
• Chuck Barris ... as Himself – present day
• Brad Pitt... as Brad, Bachelor #1
• Matt Damon... as Matt, Bachelor #2
• Michelle Sweeney ... as J. Sweeney
• Chelsea Ceci ... as Tuvia, Age 8
• Michael Cera ... as Chuck, Age 8 and 11 (as Michael Céra)
• Murray Langston ... as Himself, The Unknown Comic

External links

2002 books | 2002 films | American films | Drama films | Films shot in Super 35 | Directorial debut films

Confessions d'un homme dangereux | Confessions of a Dangerous Mind | Geständnisse – Confessions of a Dangerous Mind