Young, energetic, and focused on a top career in the growing television industry, Chuck Barris finds himself being followed by a suspicious character who quickly lures him into a secretive and dangerous world: that of a CIA operative. While Barris gains notoriety as a dynamic television producer--creating such innovative and popular shows as "The Newlywed Game" and the self-hosted "The Gong Show"--he regularly executes assassinations for the United States government. As ratings rise, Barris incorporates his shows into his secret life: winning couples on "The Dating Game" find themselves shipped off to "fabulous Helsinki" and "romantic West Berlin" for their dream dates--it isn't Paris, but it provides chaperone Barris a cover for his covert missions. As Barris basks in the glamour of his two worlds--entertainment and espionage--his life begins to spiral out of control. He is torn between the woman who loves him and the mysterious woman of his fantasies. He receives mass criticism from the public who accuses him of contaminating the airwaves and he finds himself marked for death by an operative. Barris must regain control of his life. Both of them.
Production Allied Filmmakers; Kushner-Locke Company, The; Mad Chance; Miramax Films; NPV Entertainment; Section Eight; Village Roadshow Pictures;
Cast Names Dick Clark; Sam Rockwell; Michelle Sweeney; Drew Barrymore; Chelsea Ceci; Michael Cera; Aimee Rose Ambroziak; Isabelle Blais; Melissa Carter; Jennifer Hall; Ilona Elkin; Sean Tucker; Jaye P. Morgan; Maggie Gyllenhaal; David Julian Hirsh; Jerry Weintraub; George Clooney; Frank Fontaine; Rachelle Lefevre; Gene Patton; Robert John Burke; Daniel Zacapa; Emilio Rivera; Carlos Carrasco; Barbara Bacci; Janet Lane; Shaun Balbar; Jeff Lefebvre; Michael Filipowich; Samantha Banton; Christian Paul; Jim Lange; Kristen Wilson; Steve Adams; Maria Bertrand; J. Todd Anderson; Brad Pitt; Matt Damon; Murray Langston; Marlida Ferreira;
Box Office USD 16,003,576
Release Date 2002-12-31 (limited) 2003-01-24 2003-08-15 (re-release)
Genres Biography; Crime; Drama; Thriller;
MPAA Rating [?] Rated R for language, sexual content and violence.