Confessions of a Dangerous Mind - R

Well-acted and well-written, but for adults and mature teens only.

Rating: R for language, sexual content, and violence. Studio: Miramax Directed By: George Clooney Cast: Drew Barrymore, Julia Roberts, Sam Rockwell Running Time: 113 minutes Release Date: 12/23/2002 Genre: Drama

Common Sense Note

Parents should know this movie is about a seemingly "ordinary guy" becoming a government-hired murderer. The film features the main character painstakingly lying to loved ones in order to cover up his participation in brutal crimes. There are many instances of strong language, and crimes are depicted graphically. Furthermore, parents should know that the film features many popular actors (George Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Drew Barrymore), thus increasing the chance that children are going to know about the film and want to see it.

While not recommended for family viewing, the film offers many opportunities for families to discuss the consequences of secrecy and betrayal. How does Chuck Barris's career as a contract murderer influence his "regular" job as a television producer? What are the effects of this on his relationships with loved ones? How do Chuck's relationships with other women influence his with Penny? Families can also discuss the notion of "quality entertainment" in relation to this movie. Why do people react so strongly (positively and negatively) to the television shows that Chuck produces? Why might people be concerned about the effects of television content on families and children?

While we recommend this film for kids 17+, there is definitely the possibility that a mature 15- or 16-year-old could watch, understand, and appreciate the moral complexity of this film.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Hollis Griffin

Television producer Chuck Barris became notorious for creating critically-maligned, audience-adored, low-brow classics like The Gong Show, The Dating Game, and The Newlywed Game. CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND depicts the double-life Barris claimed to have lived in his controversial autobiography, that of a television game show producer by day and a C.I.A. hitman by night. Directed by George Clooney, written by Charlie Kauffman, and starring character actor Sam Rockwell, CONFESSIONS is a film that lives up to its first class pedigree.

CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND takes place during Barris's television game show heyday, the 1960s and 1970s, that coincides neatly with the Cold War. Scenes cut between garishly colorful game show sets, the icy streets of cities behind the Iron Curtain that are interspersed with shots of Barris's squalid Philadelphia beginnings and, finally, his lavish Hollywood success. It's a jarring juxtaposition, made all the more unsettling by the fact that Barris champions feel-good, tacky television fare while covertly going on missions to kill Russian spies in dark alleys. The film delves heavily into adult themes related to sex and relationships, and his participation in contract killings is depicted graphically and hauntingly --never without some attention to the cost to the character's psyche and his relationships to others. Parents will be intrigued but should think twice about watching with kids.

Films of similar psychological and moral complexity include Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Adaptation, even Lost in Translation -- all entertaining for adults, but a little too complicated and bleak for kids.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Several references and depictions of sexual activity.
Violence Not frequent, but graphic: shootings, hand-to-hand violence, etc.
Language The f-word is used freely and frequently.
Message
	Social Behavior One of the themes of the movie is how "nice" people might do cruel things in secret.
	Commercialism Barris' game shows are a focal points in the film.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco The characters drink frequently, some reference to LSD.