Robert Duvall Movie:

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		Our Price: $15.33
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		MPAA Rating: R (Restricted) Media: DVD

Editorial Review:
John Gregory Dunne turned the true story of Los Angeles's Black Dahlia murder case into a compelling novel and then adapted the novel (with wife Joan Didion) for this meaty movie mystery directed by Ulu Grosbard. A study of the ways power corrupts, and the way corruption consumes the soul, the film stars Robert Duvall and Robert De Niro as a pair of brothers (a cynical police detective and a rapidly rising monsignor, respectively) who come into conflict over the case of a murdered woman in 1940s Hollywood. De Niro gives a beautifully shaded performance, while Duvall, who never gives a bad one, gets the slightly flashier role. Yet there's nothing showy about Duvall, who gets under the skin of this cop and who knows better than to get personally involved in a case but ultimately can't help it. A fine supporting cast includes Kenneth McMillan, Charles Durning, and Burgess Meredith. Maybe too studied for some, but worth watching if only for the two leads. --Marshall Fine

True Confessions [Region 2] Reviews:
Inspired by "The Black Dahlia" Case
2008-11-01 - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: From the Secret Files of Harry Pennypacker
Shadow Watcher
Nobody Drowns in Mineral Lake

Though a work of fiction, the mesmerizing TRUE CONFESSIONS (1981) was inspired by Los Angeles' infamous and still unsolved "Black Dahlia" murder case of the post-war 1940s.

The film was adapted from John Gregory Dunne's novel.

Its story centers on the Spellacy brothers. One of them, Desmond (Robert DeNio) is a highly regarded Catholic monsignor and the other, Tom (Robert Duvall), is a homicide cop.

Both brothers are "corrupt" in their own individual ways. Tom was once a "bagman" for former pimp Jack Amsterdam (Charles Durning), now a building contractor who does much of his work for the Church, thanks to his close relationship with Desmond.

When the dismembered body of a young actress is found in a field, we soon learn that Desmond, Amsterdam and some of the other pillars of the Church knew the girl. Tom, in fact, is convinced that Amsterdam is the killer.

Ulu Grosbard directed this low-key, intriguing drama, which does an excellent job of recreating a bygone era. DeNiro and Duvall are both in top form, and the cast also includes Burgess Meredith and Ed Flanders.

© Michael B. Druxman, author of ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD

True Confessions
2008-04-21 - I'm Not a "movie person" but, I have been waiting for years for this film to be released for purchase.

Classic LA
2007-12-12 - The two Roberts ... what a great mix between Chinatown and The Black Dalia story ... Robert the priest and Robert the detective ... two brothers separate lives collide ... Money, Sex, Graft, Influence peddeling ... very authentic Los Angeles, ironic, yet liberating story.

True Confessions - True Politics
2007-10-10 - An excellent movie with a tremendous cast. A Church Noir film that exposes the hypocracy of the spoken word and the actual actions of individuals in high places of authority. Recommend this film for a thoughtful evening.

I love these actors and their performances!
2007-09-03 - this is one of those films where you watch it, not so much for the story, but for the acting. Duvall is one of my favorite all time actors and he shows such restraint in this film and the scenes between him and "brother" in the film, robert de niro, are so amazing that i could (and do) watch them over and over again. for those who love acting, and love to observe amazing performances that will just take your breath away, watch these two masters at work. the performances of every one else in the film are also wonderful.