True Confessions 1981

True Confessions

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

71%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 14

53%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 2,764

You might also like

Where to watch

Show all services

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 (10)

Movie Info

In 1940s Los Angeles, Detective Tom Spellacy (Robert Duvall) probes into the savage murder of a woman found dumped in an empty lot. At the same time, he investigates a priest found dead in a whorehouse. Spellacy's brother (Robert De Niro), a Catholic priest, is meanwhile attempting to expand his church through Jack (Charles Durning), a shady contractor. While the two police cases and the real estate deal seem a world apart, Spellacy discovers an insidious connection involving money and power.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    drama, crime
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Ulu Grosbard
  • Producer:
    Robert Chartoff, Irwin Winkler
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    Chartoff-Winkler Productions
  • Sound Mix:
    Stereo

Cast & Crew

Robert De Niro
Des Spellacy
Robert Duvall
Tom Spellacy
Charles Durning
Jack Amsterdam
Ed Flanders
Dan T. Campion
Burgess Meredith
Seamus Fargo
Rose Gregorio
Brenda Samuels
Cyril Cusack
Cardinal Danaher
Kenneth McMillan
Frank Crotty
Dan Hedeya
Howard Terkel
Gwen Van Dam
Mrs. Fazenda
Ulu Grosbard
Director
James D. Brubaker
Associate Producer
Robert Chartoff
Producer
Irwin Winkler
Producer
Georges Delerue
Music
Owen Roizman
Cinematographer
Lynzee Klingman
Film Editor
Lynn Stalmaster
Casting
Emily Ferry
Property Master
Joe I. Tompkins
Costume Designer
Show all Cast & Crew

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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
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