The Confession

I believe this was Alec Baldwin's most believable work in years. I was disappointed with Ben Kingsly, but anybody else would have been worse.

It is always good to see a movie that presents an idea that is original. Maybe I am wrong. Maybe this is a remake of a 50 year old movie, but I didn't see that one.

Rent it if you are an adult with a child.

7/10

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.

Sol Yurick acquired a great deal of experience while working the streets of New York. His most famous story which received wide acclaim is called 'The Warriors.' Now director Daniel Hugh Jones initiates this fascinating Yurick novel entitled " The Confession. " It's an important story taken from the pages of todays headlines. Harry Fertig (Ben Kingsley) is a well respected, devoted and loving father who's six year old son is suffering from acute appendicitis. Upon rushing him to the Emergency ward of the hospital, he is told his son who needs immediate attention will have to sit, wait and fill out forms. The result; his son dies. Concluding someone has to be held responsible, the grieving father sets out to punish the hospital receiving attendant, (Eric Malabar), the admitting nurse (Becky Ann Baker) and Dr. Mason Gillett. (Mark Ethan) all for putting their own troubles ahead of an emergency patient. After his son's death, Fertig murders all three and then surprisingly enough, surrenders to the police. While awaiting trial for murder, Fertig is given a public defender whom he promptly fires. However, his new defense lawyer Roy Bleakie (Alec Baldwin) is a well connected, ambitious attorney who is instructed by his client to plead him Guilty! With many rich and powerful people concerned his client might be given the death penalty, Bleakie is ready to plead him Not Guilty by reason of insanity. However, Fertig insists, he knew what he did was wrong and is willing to accept punishment, even if it means being executed. The story is intriguing from it's onset and the collected cast does a marvelous job of imbuing understanding, sympathy and deep emotional drama to the characters. All one needs to do is live in our speedy, fast food, hectic style of life to realize what this case is all about. Anyone who has ever been run-over by the uncaring freeway of ambiguity we've created or have experienced the churning frustration we daily endure, know what this movie is all about. The result; this film has become a Classic and is easily recommended to anyone who cares. ****

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.

A completely silly movie, trying to be serious. The plot is utterly ridiculous- if you ignore the warnings, and watch this film, ask yourself periodically "what is the dumbest, most obvious turn that this story could take" and you will have predicted the next scene.

Would the death of your 5 year old, then the attempted suicide of your husband turn you on???

Plot 'twists' like this were unwarranted, and bordered on the macabre....

Between nodding off now and then, I kept wondering "why???" Avoid this snoozer.... please.... Rating? 1/2 out of 10