Watch True Confessions

Set in 1940s Los Angeles, True Confessions is a crime drama that follows two very different brothers who become embroiled in a murder case that will test their loyalty and their faith. The film stars two of Hollywood’s greatest actors, Robert De Niro and Robert Duvall, as brothers Jack and Tom Spellacy, respectively. Jack is an ambitious and successful lawyer who is deeply committed to his Catholic faith. He is a well-respected member of the community and has close ties to the church hierarchy. Tom, on the other hand, is a rough-around-the-edges detective who is more interested in getting results than following the rules. Despite their differences, the brothers are close and have a deep bond.

The film opens with the discovery of a young girl’s body in a dumpster. The murder quickly becomes front-page news, and the police are under pressure to solve the case. Tom is put in charge of the investigation, and he quickly zeroes in on a suspect, a young man named Johnny Venuti (played by William Forsythe).

Jack is also involved in the case, but on a different level. He has been hired by the church to investigate the possible sale of some valuable property that the diocese owns. The investigation leads him to a shady businessman named Jack Amsterdam (played by Charles Durning), who seems to be connected to the murdered girl.

As the case progresses, the two brothers find themselves on opposite sides of the law. Tom is convinced that Venuti is guilty and will do whatever it takes to get a conviction, even if it means cutting corners or bending the rules. Jack, on the other hand, begins to suspect that Amsterdam may be involved in the murder and finds himself up against some powerful and dangerous people.

The tension between the brothers comes to a head when they find themselves on opposite sides of the courtroom. Tom is the lead witness for the prosecution, and Jack is defending Amsterdam. The trial is a tense and dramatic affair, and the outcome is far from certain.

True Confessions is a beautifully made film that captures the feel of 1940s Los Angeles. The acting is superb, with De Niro and Duvall both delivering knockout performances. The film also features a strong supporting cast, including Charles Durning as the slimy businessman Amsterdam and Kenneth McMillan as the corrupt police captain.

At its core, True Confessions is a film about faith and loyalty. Both brothers are deeply committed to their respective callings, but their paths diverge when they find themselves at odds over the murder case. As the film progresses, both men are forced to examine their own convictions and make difficult choices about where their loyalties lie.

The film also touches on themes of corruption and power. In 1940s Los Angeles, organized crime was a major force, and the police and politicians were often in bed with the mob. True Confessions shows how this corruption extends all the way up to the highest levels of government and the church.

In conclusion, True Confessions is a gripping crime drama that explores themes of faith, loyalty, corruption, and power. With outstanding performances from Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall, and the rest of the cast, the film is a true cinematic gem that deserves more recognition than it currently receives.

True Confessions is a 1981 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 48 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 68.