True Confessions (1981)

73% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
53% of users liked it
(2,424 ratings)

Adapted by John Gregory Dunne and Joan Didion from Dunne's novel, True Confessions uses the still-unsolved "Black Dahlia" murder as the foundation for a devastating attack on big-city corruption -- in which it appears that many of the perpetrators wear clerical collars. In, 1948 Los Angeles… More Adapted by John Gregory Dunne and Joan Didion from Dunne's novel, True Confessions uses the still-unsolved "Black Dahlia" murder as the foundation for a devastating attack on big-city corruption -- in which it appears that many of the perpetrators wear clerical collars. In, 1948 Los Angeles detective Tom Spellacy (Robert Duvall) is assigned to investigate the death of a priest, who apparently suffered a heart attack while being serviced by a prostitute. Meanwhile, Tom's brother, young Catholic monsignor Des Spellacy (Robert De Niro), is reluctantly currying favor with crooked contractor Jack Amsterdam (Charles Durning), the better to finance an expansion of Des' church. The unifying factor between Tom and Des, beyond their sibling relationship, turns out to be the grisly murder of a hooker. The key words in the labyrinthine proceedings are power, ambition, and hypocrisy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 48 min.
Directed By: Ulu Grosbard
Written By: John Gregory Dunne
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1981 Wide
On DVD: Apr 17, 2007
Studio: MGM

Critic Reviews

Richard Corliss, TIME Magazine
Two exciting, dangerous actors have little to do: Duvall spends too much time pacing and waiting; De Niro's big scene has him hanging up his vestments.
Variety Staff, Variety
Given the powerhouse topline casting combo and provocative theme, True Confessions has to be chalked up as something of a disappointment.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
True Confessions contains scenes that are just about as good as scenes can be. Then why does the movie leave us disoriented and disappointed, and why does the ending fail dismally?
Vincent Canby, New York Times
Quite simply it's one of the most entertaining, most intelligent and most thoroughly satisfying commercial American films in a very long time.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A fascinating film that exposes the dark underside of the Catholic Church and fixes it firmly in the seedy, corrupt world of film noir.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
Acting compensates for disappointing ending
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Numerous vital characters are dropped and the case-solving stripped of its complexity, with the resulting film over-linear and one-dimensional.
Chuck O'Leary, Fantastica Daily
An atmospheric, always-intriguing mystery that works equally well as a perceptive character study. One of the very best films of the 1980s.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Robert Duvall puts in a top-drawer performance in this crime drama mixing sleuthing and sacraments, crime and confession - one of the best films of 1981.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

With all the talent in front of the camera there is no way this should be as inert as it is. Visually impressive drama is not terrible but lumbers along to an indifferent conclusion. Watch L.A. Confidental, which presents a simiilar story in a superior manner, instead.
Film C

its a watchable film
Lady D

Robert De Niro is just as convincing as a priest as he is a gangster or a madman. Thought this was a great character played by Robert Duvell. Enjoyed the story, although it was a little drawn out. <br/> <br/>VERDICT: Watch it on tv, don't rush out and rent
Stephen E

"True Confessions" is one of the slowest films I've seen. And not only is it slow, but it has virtually no climax or plot and the ending just sort of happens. That being said, Robert De Niro and Robert Duvall give some good performances (the latter doing a better job)… More
"True Confessions" is one of the slowest films I've seen. And not only is it slow, but it has virtually no climax or plot and the ending just sort of happens. That being said, Robert De Niro and Robert Duvall give some good performances (the latter doing a better job) and there are some scenes that are particularly interesting, not to mention that the production design is impeccable.

Cast

            Robert De Niro as Des Spellacy

            Robert Duvall as Tom Spellacy

            Charles Durning as Jack Amsterdam

            Ed Flanders as Dan T. Champion

            Burgess Meredith as Seamus Fargo

            Cyril Cusack as Cardinal Dansher

            Rose Gregorio as Brenda Samuels

            Kenneth McMillan as Frank Crotty

            Dan Hedaya as Howard Terkel

            Gwen Van Dam as Mrs. Fazenda

            Tom Clarke Hill as Mr. Fazenda

            Jeanette Nolan as Mrs. Spellacy

            Jorge Cervera Jr. as Eduardo Duarte

            Susan Myers as Bride

            Louisa Moritz as Whore

            Pat Corley as Sonny McDonough

            Shelly Batt as Girl

            Darwyn Carson as Lorna Keane

            Amanda Cleveland as Lois Farenda

            Frederic Cook as Brenda's trick

            Matthew Faison as Reporter

            Louise Fitch as Older nun

            Richard Foronjy as Ambulance driver

            Luisa Leschin as Towel Girl

            Pierrino Mascarino as Suspect

            Mary Munday as Nun

            Steve Powers as Photographer

            Ron Ryan as Detective

            Ron Stein as Stuntman

            Paul Valentine as Detective

            Kevin Breslin as Boy

            James Hong as Coroner Wong

            Sharron Miller as Movie Star

            Michael Callahan Jr. as SubDeacon

            Sig Frohlich as Waiter

            Louis Basile as Detective

            Colin Hamilton as Headwaiter

            Eddie Hice as Stuntman

            Jeff Howard as Priest

            Joe Medalis as Dep. Coroner

            Robert Arthur as Newscaster
See full cast