Rob Lowe and James Franco's 'Confession' Drama Divides Critics Over Pacing

The drama 'Confession', starring Rob Lowe and James Franco, is sparking conversations among critics due to its deliberately slow pace and dense dialogue. The film, set in the 1938 Soviet Union, has been highlighted for its theatrical style which, according to a Variety review, presents a challenge in keeping the audience's attention, despite the efforts of its lead actors.

Written and produced by Ben Shapiro, the film is distributed through his Daily Wire media company. Czech filmmaker Václav Marhoul, known for "The Painted Bird," directs. The story immerses us in the brutality of Stalinist Russia, focusing on Alexi (played by Rob Lowe), a former literature professor now stuck in a dead-end job, who is arrested on charges of being a counter-revolutionary. His fate leads him to Moscow's infamous Lubyanka Prison. The movie opens by showing Alexi's life in his seedy apartment, licking spilled vodka from the floor, an image that immediately sets a tone of despair and a need for redemption.

An Interrogation Echoing History and Literature

The plot of 'Confession' revolves around Alexi's interrogation by Vladimir (James Franco), who turns out to be one of his former students. This personal connection adds a layer of complexity to the power dynamic. Initially, Vladimir enjoys discussions about Russian literature with his former mentor, mentioning authors like Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, creating an almost academic atmosphere before turning sinister. However, his demeanor changes as Alexi resists signing a confession, accusing him of writing pamphlets critical of the Soviet system, published by a dissident Eastern Orthodox priest.

The drama intensifies as Vladimir employs increasingly direct tactics of persuasion, including veiled and not-so-veiled threats. The pressure mounts, with Vladimir even offering Alexi the chance to reunite with his ex-wife, played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, and his estranged adult son (Kodi Smit-McPhee), a rising star in the Soviet bureaucracy. His ex-wife even pushes Alexi to sign the confession, adding a dimension of family betrayal and desperation. Despite these pressures, Alexi remains resolute in his refusal. The film reveals, in its later moments, that Vladimir's assignment to interrogate Alexi is not mere coincidence. There's a shared history between the two men, a key chapter unveiled late in the narrative, explaining the depth of their connection.

Performances Striving for Depth in Stillness

According to Variety, Rob Lowe and James Franco do a credible job of embodying their characters. They manage to strike emotional sparks even with dialogue that can feel a bit forced or "stilted," such as the line, "Evil and good are luxuries the Revolution can no longer afford!" The review notes that both actors try to bring life to a script that, at times, feels more suited for a stage play, with a static quality that demands much from the performances. Despite their efforts, the slow pace of the narrative makes viewers acutely aware of the passing of time, which can hinder full immersion and the sense of story progression.

Václav Marhoul's direction also contributes to this theatrical feel. With frequent "fade to black" transitions between sequences, the film evokes the structure of a stage play's acts, reinforcing its introspective and dialogue-heavy nature. The supporting cast, which includes Jennifer Jason Leigh and Kodi Smit-McPhee, adds layers to Alexi's tense family dynamics and moral dilemma. Even Nick Nolte makes an appearance, albeit brief, describing horrors witnessed during the 1930s man-made famine in Ukraine. This scene, described by the critic as a "Big Moment," seems to aim for significant dramatic impact, though it sometimes feels a bit detached from the film's overall flow.

An Ambiguous End to a Bleak Tale of Redemption

Throughout the film, 'Confession' hints that Alexi might feel he deserves some form of punishment for his own sins—perhaps not as harsh as what he faces in Lubyanka, but one that solidifies his newly forged attachment to Jesus Christ. This exploration of guilt, punishment, and redemption culminates in a deliberately ambiguous conclusion. This ending is designed to spark discussion and reflection among those who stay for the final minutes of the film, offering a close that is not necessarily conclusive but invites personal interpretation.

However, the Variety review mentions that, beyond the brutality inflicted on Alexi, there are stretches that are tough going, not just because of the harsh events but also due to the story's sluggishness and overall predictability. Some plot elements, such as Alexi's meeting with his wife in the interrogation room, echo strikingly similar scenes from earlier films, like John Frankenheimer's 1968 "The Fixer." This observation suggests that the film, while based on an original screenplay, at times leans on narrative conventions already explored regarding the theme of an innocent individual tormented by authorities in Mother Russia during that era.

Why It Matters

'Confession' offers an intimate and somber look at a dark period of history through a dramatic and personal lens. While its deliberate pace might challenge some viewers accustomed to faster-moving narratives, the film stands out for the performances of Rob Lowe and James Franco. Both actors strive to bring depth and credibility to their characters in a setting of intense oppression. Public interest in these artists' work remains strong, as evidenced by online search trends showing a high number of searches for "Rob Lowe," indicating that audiences continue to follow their projects. Productions like this remind us that cinema can be a platform for exploring complex, difficult stories that invite deep reflection on the human condition and history.