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Confession Time
Welcome to another month of this column. My grandma asked last weekend if I had regained my passion for writing again. (It hasn't been the same since Sept 11th.) I told her: 'I think so.' Well the fire has begun to burn again. This is only the beginning. Watch this site closely, because next time we'll have a review of the Daredevil script.
Confessions of a Dangerous Mind Script Review
Sometimes the truth is crazier then fiction. The life of Gong Show host Chuck Barris is something like that. In his memoirs, he claims to have been a CIA operative through out his TV career. Charlie Kaufman, the most innovative screenwriter working today, has adapted his autobiography, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, for the big screen to be George Clooney's directorial debut. The movie is presently shooting here in Montreal. Miramax will release the movie in November of this year.
Chuck Barris (Sam Rockwell) is one of the strangest men you'll ever meet. A successful TV creator and game-show host, he has an extremely chilling dark side. His rise to fame was fueled by sexual frustrations, the constant need for 'pussy'. His failure with girls fed his fury which lead to recurring bar fights. That's when CIA agent Jim Byrd (George Clooney) decided to recruit him. Trained to be a killer, Barris traveled the world (sometime using his TV shows as cover) doing the CIA's dirty jobs. Back at home; his wildflower girlfriend Penny (Drew Barrymore) finally wants a serious commitment, while he's falling for fellow agent Patricia (Julia Roberts). How long can a man remain a contract killer/game-show host and keep his sanity?
Charlie Kaufman is a genius. Repeat along with me: Charlie Kaufman is a genius. His Being John Malkovich was no fluke. He takes every trick in the book and mixes them up like nothing we have ever seen before. If you wanna study screenwriting, get any script written by Charlie Kaufman. You'll be blown away by his style, his uniqueness and his creativity. This is my favorite of the unreleased trilogy (Human Nature, Adaptation). This story entertains you from beginning to end. It's extremely hard to describe his style, but it's too cool to miss. If you can get your hands on a Kaufman script, do it. You won't regret a minute of it...
BARRIS
My name is Charles Prescott Barris. I have written pop songs, I have been a television producer. I am responsible for polluting airwaves with mind-numbing, puerile entertainment. In addition, I have murdered thirty-three human beings. I am damned to Hell.
Definitely one of the most flawed central characters that I have ever read. Unlikable is not strong enough to describe him. Sometime we feel bad for Chuck, other times you just want him to kill himself. Will audiences be able to connect with such a weird protagonist? Maybe, it will certainly depend on Sam Rockwell's performance. I have found him to be very talented in the few roles I have seen him.(Charlie's Angels, Heist) He has the skills, let's see if he can hit this one out of the park. I still would have preferred Mike Myers or even this film's director George Clooney playing Barris.
Dear Chuck,
I'm Dead now. I hope you're happy.
The door's open.
Love Always
Penny
The typical early seventies hippie girl who slowly becomes aware in the post Vietnam USA. Poor Penny, who's carefree mentality accommodates Chuck at first. Her awakening is interesting and causes great dilemmas for Barris. Very different role for Drew Barrymore. I'm curious to see if she can pull it off. It's good to see that she still wants to stretch those acting muscles.
PATRICIA
Prove how much you love me, baby. Kill for me. Then I'm all yours.
Julia Roberts' character is unlike anything we have seen her play in recent memories. She curses, screws and kills in this film. One crazy bitch! I can't wait to see her performance. HEAVY SPOILERS WARNING!!! (drag mouse to read) Her character dies at the hands of Barris. A shocking twist which I'm pretty sure will surprise a lot of viewers. Gutsy move on the part of Julia. END SPOILERS!!!
BYRD
Listen, you're thirty-two years old and you've achieved nothing. Jesus Christ was dead and alive again by thirty-three. Better get cracking.
The director has kept himself a nice little supporting role. Clooney might steal the show from under his talented cast. I'm curious to see how he plays the part. Serious or for laughing purposes. That character can go either way.
It's one of the movies to look forward to next fall. There's no way this project could fail. First-time helmer Clooney should have a critical hit on his hands, it remains to see if mainstream audience will jump on the 'Gong' bandwagon.
Stay tuned...
That's all folks...
Jean-François Allaire (aka DeadPool)
Questions, comments, praise etc. Email me at deadpool@tnmc.org
Jean-François Allaire is TNMC's first columnist. At only 24 years old he has become a respected entertainment journalist, with his columns appearing in Corona's Coming Attractions and Scr(i)pt magazine. He also writes a monthly column in Screenwriters Monthly entitled 'The Last Word.' Hailing from Montreal this young writer is determined to dig up all the details on the movies before they hit your local theater. If you're part of a movie production then you really need to be talking to him.
