At the very beginning when the audience sees a bearded and naked Chuck Barris (Sam Rockwell) standing as if in a trance while a frumpy housekeeper vacuums around him, the viewer suspects that the film will be something special, outrageous, or both. This is the starting point for an extended flashback as Barris recalls his young adulthood, when it seemed everybody but him was having sex, to his successful career as a TV game show creator and low-brow polluter of the American airwaves ("The Dating Game", "The Newlywed Game", "The Gong Show"). Pretty standard stuff except that along the way Barris is seduced by a penchant for violence into a double life as a CIA contract killer, and the schizophrenia brought on by his double life almost proves his undoing.

Rockwell is superb in the leading role, as is Director Clooney, who plays his square-jawed, no-nonsense CIA recruiter and control, Jim Byrd. (Byrd to Barris: "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.") Drew Barrymore does a swell job as Penny, the on-again, off-again love of Chuck's life, but she's deliciously upstaged by Julia Roberts in a new sort of character for her, that of the seductive and deadly femme fatale spy, Patricia. ("Prove how much you love me, baby. Kill for me. Then I'm all yours".) Brad Pitt and Matt Damon have hilarious two-second cameos on stools. And there's one scene where a Federal official lectures The Dating Game contestants on the dire repercussions of introducing risqué material into their game show appearance that alone is worth the price of admission. I don't know who that actor was, but he deserves an Oscar for a one-minute speech.

This is a movie that perhaps has to be seen twice to be fully appreciated for the deft and clever use of camera perspective, scene and timing changes, and almost-overexposed color, all of which keeps the audience on its toes wondering what's coming next. And the Big Question: who's The Mole?

This is one of the best dark comedies that I've seen in a long while. It was one of the must-see films of 2002/2003. Bravo, bravo!

Ladies and Gentlemen....
Review date: 2005-11-30 Rating: 8 out of 10

...Welcome to George Clooney's directorial debut - and what a cracker it is! It deals with the life story of Chuck Barris, memorable TV host and game show creator who was also, apparently, a spy on the side.

Played incredibly well by Sam Rockwell, Barris comes across as quirky, loveable and a bit of a scoundrel. The film is filled with plenty of humour, sly wit and at times is darkly comic, which not only represents the manic style that Rockewell usually presents, but is also a product of Clooney, who has a wickid sense of humour.

But the humour doesn't get in the way of the serious storytelling. The game show side of the story is the more entertaining, and funny, and while it doesn't hold back on the spy life Barris supposedly held, its a bit wish-washy. The CIA undercover agent is not as clear as his game show host character, and the film does falter a bit here when it dwells on the spy operations.

But just when you might be getting bored, Clooney sweeps you back into attention with humour, and style and with some great cuts between scenes that see characters come in and out of different scenes which were actually filmed all in one take.

Filled with cameo appearances, in-jokes, great performances, this is a great debut for Clooney, and more would indeed be welcome. The DVD extras here contain interesting behind the scenes looks, with Clooney being very informative and honest. For those of you who don't know the real Chuck Barris then there is also a short featurette on the guy.

Good film - but subject won't appeal to everyone
Review date: 2005-07-04 Rating: 6 out of 10

I wanted to watch see this film because it featured Sam Rockwell and George Clooney, two excellent actors, and so many film reviews recommended it.
Sam and George did not disappoint, plus several other familiar actors. It is a well constructed film - the scenes, the acting, the way the story is told, the camera angles, lighting, etc make it a satisfying film to watch - probably worth 4 or 5 stars.
However, I'm not sure the film subject will appeal to all - it's about the wierd life of a tv entrepreneur/game show host. If this real life character, Chuck Barris, is someone you've heard of, then I should imagine this film will be fascinating.
But I found it difficult to muster any empathy or interest for him or any of the other characters - hence 3-star rating, not 4 or 5. Reminded me a bit of The Talented My Ripley - good quality film, but no heroes - which is fine, but not to everyone's taste.

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