True Confessions

1981

True Confessions

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

71%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 14

54%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 2,761

Where to watch

Other Movies

Rate And Review

User image

Verified

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Step 2 of 2

    How did you buy your ticket?

    Let's get your review verified.

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

    You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket.

  • User image

    Super Reviewer

    Rate this movie

    Oof, that was Rotten.

    Meh, it passed the time.

    It’s good – I’d recommend it.

    Awesome!

    So Fresh: Absolute Must See!

    What did you think of the movie? (optional)

  • How did you buy your ticket?

    • Fandango

    • AMCTheatres.com or AMC AppNew

    • Cinemark Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Regal Coming Soon

      We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future.

    • Theater box office or somewhere else

    By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie.

True Confessions Photos

View All Photos (2)

Movie Info

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:
    R
  • Genre:
    Drama, Mystery & Suspense
  • Directed By:
    Ulu Grosbard
  • Written By:
    John Gregory Dunne, Joan Didion
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    MGM

Cast

Robert De Niro
as Father Des Spellacy
Robert Duvall
as Det. Tom Spellacy
Charles Durning
as Jack Amsterdam
Ed Flanders
as Dan T. Campion
Burgess Meredith
as Seamus Fargo
Rose Gregorio
as Brenda Samuels
Cyril Cusack
as Cardinal Danaher
Kenneth McMillan
as Frank Crotty
Dan Hedaya
as Howard Terkel
Gwen Van Dam
as Mrs. Fazenda
Thomas Hill
as Mr. Fazenda
Jeanette Nolan
as Mrs. Spellacy
Jorge Cervera Jr.
as Eduardo Duarte
Susan Myers
as Bride
Louisa Moritz
as Whore
Darwyn Carson
as Lorna Keane
Pat Corley
as Sonny McDonough
Matthew Faison
as Reporter
Richard Foronjy
as Ambulance driver
Joe Medalis
as Deputy Coroner
James Hong
as Coroner Wong
Ron Ryan
as Detective
Louis Basile
as Detective
Paul Valentine
as Detective
Louise Fitch
as Older nun
Margery Nelson
as 2nd Nun
Frederic Cook
as Brenda's trick
Kirk Patrick Brennan
as Acolyte
Fred Dennis
as Man
Shelly Batt
as Girl
Mary Munday
as Nun
Robert Arthur
as Newscaster
Colin Hamilton
as Headwaiter
Amanda Cleveland
as Lois
Pierrino Mascarino
as Suspect
Michael Callahan Jr.
as SubDeacon
Ron Stein
as Stuntman
Harry Pavelis
as Cardinal's Attendant
Eddie Hice
as Stuntman
Luisa Leschin
as Towel Girl
Bob Arthur
as Newscaster
Bill Furnell
as Newscaster
Sig Frohlich
as Waiter
Steve Arvin
as Radio Announcer
Steve Powers
as Photographer
Joseph H. Choi
as Pathologist
Sharron Miller
as Movie Star
Kevin Breslin
as Boy
Jeff Howard
as Priest
Harry "Slim" Duncan
as Priest at Banquet
View All

Critic Reviews for True Confessions

All Critics (14) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (10) | Rotten (4)

  • Des is another solitary soul, but perhaps he's the most subtle and accessible solitary De Niro has yet embodied -- a man whose isolation draws you closer instead of giving you the willies.

    December 18, 2015 | Full Review…

    Gary Arnold

    Washington Post
    Top Critic

  • 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.

    March 7, 2011 | Full Review…

    Richard Corliss

    TIME Magazine
    Top Critic

  • Given the powerhouse topline casting combo and provocative theme, True Confessions has to be chalked up as something of a disappointment.

    March 26, 2009 | Full Review…

    Variety Staff

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • Numerous vital characters are dropped and the case-solving stripped of its complexity, with the resulting film over-linear and one-dimensional.

    June 24, 2006 | Full Review…

    Geoff Andrew

    Time Out
    Top Critic

  • 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?

    October 23, 2004 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic

  • Quite simply it's one of the most entertaining, most intelligent and most thoroughly satisfying commercial American films in a very long time.

    August 30, 2004 | Rating: 5/5 | Full Review…

    Vincent Canby

    New York Times
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (14)

Audience Reviews for True Confessions

  • Jan 22, 2012
    "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.
    Stephen E Super Reviewer
  • Nov 14, 2009
    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.
    jay n Super Reviewer
  • Feb 07, 2009
    its a watchable film
    Film C Super Reviewer
  • Mar 23, 2007
    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
    Lady D Super Reviewer
See all Audience reviews

True Confessions Quotes

There are no approved quotes yet for this movie.

Movie & TV guides