True Confessions
by Ulu Grosbard
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Charles Durning, Ed Flanders, Kenneth McMillan, Robert De Niro, Robert DuvallDirector: Ulu Grosbard
Brand: Sony
Cinematographer: Owen Roizman
Producer: Irwin Winkler
Producer: James D. Brubaker
Producer: Robert Chartoff
Writer: Gary S. Hall
Writer: Joan Didion
Writer: John Gregory Dunne
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 108 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-04-17
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Movie Reviews of True Confessions
Movie Review: Sublime, evocative, but missing a scene or two?
Summary: 5 Stars
Some of the reviewers here have stated the critics didn't care for this movie upon its' release in 1981, however it received two huge thumbs up from Siskel and Ebert at the time, one of them commented that Duvall and DeNiro were so convincing it would have been fascinating as well had they been in each other's roles. Confessing age, I saw this movie in the theater, and have seen it many times on tape and cable as well, and I have a recollection of some early scenes in the original theater version that have never appeared on tape versions, and hope someone may fill in the gaps. Specifically, at the scene of the crime Duvall and MacMillan interview two LAPD uniformed officers about the discovery of the body, and something about tire tracks near the scene, which ties in later to the discovery of Leland Stanford's death when he "totals the Ford." In addition, the video versions don't reveal how the victim is identified, which takes a considerable time in the book, which ties back to the ultimate scandal that befalls Monsignor Spellacy. When it emerges the victim had been a hitchhiker ("Christian Scientist - you mean the one who didn't know who Mary Baker Eddy was?"), with whom the Monsignor had shared a ride, and who later became entangled in Jack Amsterdam's world of Porn and Prostitution, the Monsignor is compromised irredeemably (seemingly), a tacit cooperator within a world of deceit, hypocrisy, and criminal behavior. His brother's world, in fact. There's an early scene of DeNiro sneaking a peak at the newspaper article, creeping anxiety subtly portrayed. The constant references to "your brother" (either "your brother the policeman" or "your brother the monsignor") are both idiomatic among Irish people and meant, among Irish people, to invoke responsibility from the brother being spoken to, for the actions of the one being spoken about. One of the reviewers complained of this, in fact it's an authentic, purposeful speech pattern among my people.
Of course the title comes from the old pulp crime mag, but also refers to the physical act of confession within the Catholic sacrament of reconciliation, not all of which, any priest can tell you, are completely True. Part of confession is penance, meaning you must not only seek forgiveness from the priest and express True Contrition, you must also atone, by performing the penance, frequently Three Hail Marys and an Our Father, to be performed after exiting the booth. Even the Monsignor confesses to Fr. Seamus Fargo (Burgess Meredith), but ultimately it is the rage of Thomas Spellacy at the the system of compromises, hypocrisy, and corruption, within Church and State, which leads him to bring down the house, inflicting as a result a penance of public humiliation upon his brother. When his brother asks him during his confession, "did he do it?", meaning, did Jack Amsterdam actually kill Lois Fazenda, Tom Spellacy responds, "I don't care!", in fact he's going to charge Amsterdam with a crime he knows was committed by another man, to revenge the deaths of Lois Fazenda and Brenda, the madam who's suicide wracks him with guilt. The public conflagration which ensues ends his brother's career as a rising star within the Hierarchy of the church, but enables him to realize, "I never had a talent for loving God...but Seamus taught me it didn't matter as long as I could be of service."
The movie opens and closes with Tom meeting Desmond many years later at the small desert (John the Baptist and Jesus referrences, certainly) parish to which Des has been banished, along with Seamus Fargo (another embarrassment for the firm), where Tom truly confesses his fault, and Des forgives, and credits Tom with saving him. This is the final "True" confession, the confession in the belief in mercy, redemption, and atonement. Des is "At One" with his vocation, his destiny, and has spent his time in purgatory (though not quite "life plus 99 years", which Tom earlier states their Mother has estimated his own term will be.) He says to Tommy, when asked to forgive him, "No Tommy, it was you who saved me."
This is one of DeNiro's great, subtle performances, he plays a cultured, sensitive, gifted but powerful man, with nuance and utter credibility. One wishes he'd find that opportunity more often.
Anyone remember those missing bits? Have read the book of course, don't think I'm just imagining it.
Summary of True Confessions
Detective Tom Spellacy (Duvall) and Catholic Monsignor Desmond Spellacy (De Niro) find their worlds colliding amidst a flurry of political finger-pointing and public outcries over a scandalous, headline-making murder. As Tom hunts down the elusive killer, his investigation threatens to expose secrets that could ruin his brotherĀ...and rock the foundation of his beloved church.Similar DVD Movies
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