Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

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Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

R

Released Jan 17, 2003

1h 53m

Biography

Comedy

Drama

Crime

Romance

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

79%

Tomatometer

164 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Game show television producer Chuck Barris (Sam Rockwell) is at the height of his career. His creation, The Dating Game, is one of the network's top shows and he has just been given the post of hosting his latest brainchild, The Gong Show. But what the public and industry big-wigs are unaware of is that Chuck Barris, game show pioneer, is also a covert assassin. He works for the C.I.A. and claims to have killed 33 people.

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Critics Consensus

Rockwell is spot-on as Barris, and Clooney directs with entertaining style and flair.

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Namrata Joshi

Outlook

The film does not offer any explanations. Instead, it intrigues more.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 3, 2019

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Though the real-life Barris has yet to confirm or deny his double life as detailed in his autobiography of the same name, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is an fascinating tale about an even more fascinating guy.

Rated: A

Sep 11, 2017

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Time Out

Brimming with slightly self-conscious directorial panache, the movie zips between nearly three decades, fantasy and reality without ever really deciding how seriously it wants to take itself.

Jun 24, 2006

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

No matter what is real and what's not in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, George Clooney shows that he has a firm grasp on directing as he steps behind the camera.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 8, 2024

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Stephen Silver

Tilt Magazine

The film itself goes back and forth between Barris’ very real showbiz career and his fictitious CIA career (20th anniversary)

Rated: 3.5/5

Jan 14, 2023

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Kaufman's script, and particularly his dialogue, is pitch perfect.

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Sep 5, 2020

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Brandon S.

Cold War intrigue, a dash of 60s and 70’s era Hollywood with cameos from all George Clooney’s buddies…what’s not to love?

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/15/25

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Stephen C

1 hour and 53 minutes based on a true story!!!!!!!!!! Rated R for Sexual Content, Language and Violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/02/25

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Fachrul Ulum F

Menurtku sih lumayan bagus ya guys, kaya drama cia dengan epic acting yang menarik. Pautut ditonton

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/28/24

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Tim M

Featuring a captivating performance from Sam Rockwell and just a bit askew, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is a solid directorial debut for George Clooney.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/20/24

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Torin F

CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND leverages high caliber writing, directing and acting to tell the psychologically-complex tale behind major changes in American (trash) TV content. I see Barris' assassin claims as a self-created allegory for the damage his life and work have inflicted on others. The film's open-ended approach and commitment to intelligent, psychological storytelling is admirable, but despite some entertaining twists and turns, it's a fairly dark and decidedly cautionary tale about the cost of ambition and failure to find love or connect with others.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

11/28/23

Full Review

David W

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind combines excellent debut directing from George Clooney and a delightfully appropriate screenplay for the subject. Engagement is enhanced through the audience experiencing a story being told that may or may not be true. Sam Rockwell excels as Chuck Barris. I would definitely watch this again.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/21/24

Full Review

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Synopsis

Game show television producer Chuck Barris (Sam Rockwell) is at the height of his career. His creation, The Dating Game, is one of the network's top shows and he has just been given the post of hosting his latest brainchild, The Gong Show. But what the public and industry big-wigs are unaware of is that Chuck Barris, game show pioneer, is also a covert assassin. He works for the C.I.A. and claims to have killed 33 people.

Director: George Clooney
Producer: Andrew Lazar
Screenwriter: Chuck Barris, Charlie Kaufman
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Mel's Cite du Cinema, Miramax, Section Eight Ltd., Mad Chance
Rating: R (Sexual Content|Language|Violence)
Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama, Crime, Romance, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 17, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 7, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $16.0M
Runtime: 1h 53m
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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