Being John Malkovich

Starring: John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, John Malkovich, Charlie Sheen (cameo)
Directed by: Spike Jonze
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Box Office: $22,863,596
1999

Times Seen:
Tim: 2

Summary: When a struggling street puppeteer (John Cusack) gets a job in an office, he and the co-worker he has a crush on (Catherine Keener) discover a strange door that leads to a portal that allows the person to be John Malkovich for 15 minutes.

Review:

Tim: If you read the summary and thought to yourself, "What the hell?" then you are exactly right. This movie has been hailed as originally creative, and while it is that- it is also strange and disturbing. The film was written by Charlie Kaufman. It is brilliant, but at the same time, somewhat disturbing. This, his forst produced screenplay, is a marvel. Surprisingly enough, this is also director Spike Jonze's directorial debut of a feature film. Both of these newcomers combine for one wild ride.

In addition to the strange plot of the film, the two main actors play completely different roles than they are used to, and are nearly unrecognizeable. John Cusack has a beard, long hair, and glasses, and Cameron Diaz has been stripped of all beauty she possesses, and looks quite plain and dirty. Cusack especially gives a dark and disturbing performance, in a role very much unlike most of his work.

In this movie, it also must be mentiond the absurd and courageous chance John Malkovich took in making this film. I can't fathom how this was first pitched to him, or the nevousness he must have felt in making a movie about himself. He is good in the film, and just adds to the surreal feeling surrounding the movie.

I definitely recommend watching this film. It is unlike any film you've ever seen before. While you are watching, you'll probably be asking yourself the same thing I was when I watched it, "Am I really watching a film about people entering a portal and being able to be John Malkovich?" Now, don't get me wrong, the film has it's faults and unbelievable factors (besides the whole point of the movie, I mean). However, in a strange way, it's brilliant.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7.5



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