This often overlooked film still does not receive the recognition it deserves and is highly unlikely to with the crappy DVD release it recently got from Prism Leisure, who are normally very good at their jobs!!
Based on the true story of notorious serial killer Henry Lee Lucas, Confessions sees famed production designer Robert A. Burns take on the dual role of star….and who knew he could act?
The film follows the re-named characters of Daniel Ray Hawkins, Moon Luton and his sister Molly as they travel the highways of America slaughtering women and the odd man for good measure.
The film is told from the viewpoint of Daniel as he recounts his exploits whilst in custody, and is backed up for the audience through a series of terrifying flashbacks!
As a lot of the film takes place in an interrogation room, the audience needed to be kept entertained and Robert Burns performance of a mild mannered mad man had me hooked from the get go.
The flashbacks are well handled and are never repetitive, due to numerous complications for our characters. I also felt true sympathy and fear for the victims, which could only have come from the knowledge that what happened was true, as the actresses are quickly introduced and then slaughtered, which they all do surprisingly well.
The final 30 minutes are full of unpleasant surprises and left me chilled to the bone.
OVERALL SUMMARY
Not an amazing or groundbreaking film, but an important and brave little film, Confessions may not hold up to repeat viewings as it is slowly paced, but I definitely enjoyed it’s simplistic approach, to that of the overly gory nature of the similar ‘Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer’.
