Yeah, this movie is seriously underrated. Sam Rockwell can do no wrong.

I liked it a lot too. It ostensibly follows the formulaic narrative arc of most biopics (start off unknown, become famous, become corrupted, reedem oneself, end happily) but it handles it so lightly and shallowly that there's no sense of manufactured drama or contrived situations. There's no problem with the possible factuality of the events portrayed, because they're clearly not meant to be accurate depictions of history. Rather, the film is meant to showcase Barris' state of mind or perspective throughout his life, and thus questions of whether or not he really worked for the CIA are irrelevant. He believed he did, and that's all that matters for the film.

With that in mind, there's a lot to like here. It's stylish and artsy without being annoying or disingenuous, and thus it manages to be interesting throughout, if only due to the visuals. It's truly funny, but it's mixed with a healthy dose of drama and intrigue, making for some really black humour. The scene where Clooney slowly dies on the diving board is dark and cool and depressing all at once. Rockwell is superb, but I was surprised how charming I found Drew Barrymore (probably the only time other than E.T. that I've liked her in a film). With a film as slick as this, it's hard to find something to dislike. Tragically underrated.

My thoughts exactly.

Confessions of a Dangerous Mind

Decided to rewatch this. It's an ok film, Clooney can direct well but he fails to grip me. Good cameos by Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, and a starring role for Julia Roberts, mean that the Ocean's team were back again. Rockwell was good, as usual.

D+