The Confession

I wonder what induced Kingsley, Irving, Noth and Baldwin to participate in this tripe. Understand their beliefs may have led them to do it, but the next time they have a spare weekend, perhaps they could spend it interviewing directors who have a modicum of talent and originality. It was a toss up for me between the direction and the script as to which was the most banal. The consummate professional cast struggled to give the piece some dignity but it was hopeless from the start. On a lighter note, even the delectable Chris Noth plain-janed himself into obscurity.

Great Performances by Alec Baldwin and Ben Kingsley. But too much time was spent to convert Alec, and reach to what has seemed to have been an obvious climax.

This is a movie about a moral man (Kingsley) trapped in an immoral world. When his son is ill and needing urgent medical attention, the actions of the medical staff lead to serious consequences for all, and Kingsley's character requires legal representation. Baldwin is appointed his lawyer and his experience with Kingsley changes his values. Baldwin had become corrupted by the legal system and was no longer interested in right or wrong, just winning. Kingsley's moral values of right and wrong and admitting our guilt and paying for our wrongs changes Baldwin for the "better". Baldwin's character now has a new set of moral values and this has disastrous consequences for other parties.

I thought this was a movie with a strong moral message and it was well acted by Baldwin and Kingsley for the most part. At times it got a little too much listening to Kingsley's explanations of why we should be honest. He came across as a bit of a saint, and in reality this never happens, just in words. All in all, I thought it well worth watching. In my book an 8 (from 10).

I was surprised to see viewers rating of 6 out o 10. I saw it on Cable & got glued to the TV, if not throughout, then at least for the most part. As always, I was impressed by Ben Kingsley's performance: so genuine & magnetic.

Normally films with Alec Baldwin, or practically any others of the Baldwin clan, would generally have me reaching for the remote so as to change channels. But, Ben Kingsley.......... so I decided to settle down and watch `The Confession'. And I am glad I did so.

This is a pretty serious court-case, with some excellent scenes, and some good dialogues at times. If Baldwin is better than in anything else of his I have had (mostly) the misfortune of seeing, here he is really more than acceptable, even good. And Ben Kingsley is better: as good as anything since `Gandhi' (qv). `The Confession' shows clearly that neither of these actors need films of violence to keep intelligent spectators attentive: this film works, with good chemistry between the two men. The only weakness is that Baldwin just has to have a bit of an affair with...... no, I am not going to say with whom.

If like me you are not exactly a Baldwin fan, do not pass this film over. It is a well-carried out dramatic piece which is worth your time.