Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (2003)
86%RT Audience Score: 85%
Awards & Nominations: 7 wins & 12 nominations
Rockwell is spot-on as Barris, and Clooney directs with entertaining style and flair
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is a wild ride that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about game shows and CIA assassins. George Clooney’s directorial debut is a pitch-perfect parody that bounces around like a smarter and weirder older brother of Catch Me If You Can. The well-written and well-acted film is intriguing, bizarre, and challenging, inviting us into a world filled with larger-than-life characters and strange occurrences. It may not be in the Citizen Kane class, but it’s definitely worth a watch for mature teens and adults who love a good conspiracy theory.
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
Miramax Films
Release Type
Theatrical
Filming Location(s)
Montréal, Québec, Canada
MPAA / Certificate
Rated R for language, sexual content and violence
Year of Release
2003
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:DTS Dolby Digital SDDS
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Aspect ratio:2.35 : 1
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Runtime:1h 53m
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Language(s):English, Spanish
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Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Theaters): Jan 17, 2003 Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 9, 2003
Genre(s)
Biography
Keyword(s)
starring Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore, George Clooney, Julia Roberts, Rutger Hauer, Maggie Gyllenhaal, directed by George Clooney, written by Chuck Barris, Charlie Kaufman, biography, CIA, game show, assassin, Miramax Films, Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, SDDS, Dolby A, Dolby Digital, R rating, $16.0M box office, reviewed by Namrata Joshi, Candice Frederick, Tim Robey, Sandra Hall, Sara Michelle Fetters, Rob Fraser, Richard Propes, Hollis Griffin, Urban Cinefile Critics, Mark Halverson, Rob Gonsalves, Joe Lozito, Chuck Barris, Andrew Lazar
Worldwide gross: $33,013,805
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): $53,511,144
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,297
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): 5,835,457
US/Canada gross: $16,007,718
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): $25,946,458
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,324
US/Canada opening weekend: $87,199
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): $141,338
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): 1,805
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): $30,000,000
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): $48,626,152
Production budget ranking: 814
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): $26,185,183
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): -$21,300,192
ROI to date (est.): -28%
ROI ranking: 1,557
Drew Barrymore – Penny
George Clooney – CIA Agent Jim Byrd
Julia Roberts – Patricia
Rutger Hauer – Keeler
Maggie Gyllenhaal – Debbie
Director(s)
George Clooney
Writer(s)
Chuck Barris, Charlie Kaufman
Producer(s)
Andrew Lazar
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
7 wins & 12 nominations
Academy Awards
All Critics (163) | Top Critics (43) | Fresh (129) | Rotten (34)
The film does not offer any explanations. Instead, it intrigues more.
January 3, 2019 | Rating: 3/4
Namrata Joshi
Outlook
TOP CRITIC
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.
September 11, 2017 | Rating: A
Candice Frederick
Reel Talk Online
TOP CRITIC
Bounces around like the smarter and weirder older brother of Spielberg’s Catch Me If You Can.
October 19, 2003
Tim Robey
Daily Telegraph (UK)
TOP CRITIC
Directing for the first time, Clooney turns out to be a natural when it comes to parody…
August 1, 2003
Sandra Hall
Sydney Morning Herald
TOP CRITIC
There isn’t an emotional connection to the people or actions taking place on screen, and while I was impressed with some of the performances and filmmaking the film as a whole left me cold.
June 19, 2003 | Rating: 2.5/4
Sara Michelle Fetters
MovieFreak.com
TOP CRITIC
Confessions Of A Dangerous Mind may not be in the Citizen Kane class, but George Clooney’s first foray behind the camera does boast similarly bravura technique and an infectious sense of joy in the filmmaking process.
April 23, 2003 | Rating: 4/5
Rob Fraser
Empire Magazine
TOP CRITIC
Kaufman’s script, and particularly his dialogue, is pitch perfect.
September 5, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/4.0
Richard Propes
TheIndependentCritic.com
Well-acted and well-written, for mature teens+.
January 1, 2011 | Rating: 4/5
Hollis Griffin
Common Sense Media
An intriguing, bizarre and challenging film that invites us into a world filled with larger-than-life characters and strange occurrences.
October 18, 2008
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
Fact and possible fiction amble to a photo finish as one of pop culture’s nuttiest milestones.
August 7, 2008 | Rating: 3/5
Mark Halverson
Sacramento News & Review
Clooney wanted Kaufman’s script delivered without corruption or softening. He has overcorrected and made a glum, almost listless movie.
July 30, 2007 | Rating: 3/5
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com
Directing a movie is no picnic, but I’ll be damned if Mr. Clooney doesn’t make it seem like fun.
July 14, 2007 | Rating: 3.5/4
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound…
Plot
Television made him famous, but his biggest hits happened off-screen. This is the story of a legendary showman’s double life – television producer by day, C.I.A. assassin by night. At the height of his television career, Chuck Barris (Sam Rockwell) was recruited by the C.I.A. and trained to become a covert operative. Or so Barris claimed.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
Fresh Kernels praises Sam Rockwell’s spot-on portrayal of Chuck Barris in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.
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