| Overall Grade: |
A- |
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| Story: |
B+ |
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| Acting: |
A- |
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| Direction: |
A |
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| Visuals: |
A |
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Confessions of Movie Critic Wannabe
by JimF (movies profile)
Jan 13, 2005
4
of
5 people found this review helpful
I must confess, I did not know what to expect from this film. Pretty boy George Clooney, an actor who really had never been given much of a challenge in a role directing an edgy comedy? A virtual unknown in the lead role? A supporting cast which includes grown-up Gertie, Drew Barrymore, and the annoying Julia Roberts? A story based on fact and unsupported speculation?
I was beyond surprised. Clooney's direction is top notch and ferociously daring in what I would definately label as an auspicious debut. The script written by Charlie Kaufman, best known for Being John Malkovich and Adaptation, is nearly perfect. It continually blurs the line between reality and fantasy.
But it is the performances make Clooney's direction and Kaufman's screenplay a wonderful movie-going experience.
Sam Rockwell's portrayal of Chuck Barris, the eccentric pioneer of trashy television and alleged indie operative for the CIA, is uncanny. All of Barris's quirks and mannerisms that we know from the Gong Show, are captured with astounding accuracy. It's Rockwell's off-camera portrayal of Barris that makes the performance so fascinating.
Barrymore's role of Penny as Barris' adorable, vulnerable and loyally optimistic love interest, anchors the realism of the story. She is the only character which we do not have to question her motivation or realness. What she is is what we get.
Clooney's turn as the CIA recruiter is probably a little better than adequate. Robert's apperance as the archetypical femme fatale is right-on.
The DVD edition has some extras that are almost enjoyable as the feature itself, including some comments on the direction itself--it explains scenes that appear to be accomplished through the technique of editing, but incredibly are accomplished through very quick scenery or costume changes while we, the viewers' eyes, are diverted somewhere else on screen. There is also a bit that explores, but never answers, the question as to whether Barris stint as a hitman is true or not.
This is definately one to see. |
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