Rating: 
Summary: Stunningly original and the first half-hour is priceless
Review: I think John Cusack said it best when he said, "This is a screenplay that no one could have written, thinking it would ever be made". It's that original and off-beat. I'm so glad it was also successful since it may open doors to some other off-the-wall ideas that might not seem commercial enough otherwise. This movie is very well-acted the whole way through and the plot is so fresh, you find yourself wondering how anyone ever thought of it in the first place. Cheers to the brave cast who took all this on and to writer Charlie Kaufmann whose unique vision deserves more recognition. The film lost a bit of steam for me by the end but it's never boring and the first half-hour is as funny and startling as anything I've ever seen.
Rating: 
Summary: a rare gem
Review: Totally off the wall. ...Light, classy... interesting ! ... and over-all FUN AS HELL~This movie proves that it doesn't take a huge budget to make an excellent movie. MALCOVICH ! LOL
Rating:
Summary: I agree with Roger Ebert- THE film of 1999.
Review: Don't get me wrong- I loved American Beauty. I was shocked by The Sixth Sense. I was moved by Magnolia. But for me, the movie in 1999 that made me sit back and say "wow" was Being John Malkovich. I am sure you know the plot, and words wouldn't help to describe how original (and ingenious) it is. The film works on so many levels- it is a screwball comedy, an existential discussion of the nature of existence, a study of sexual identity, and a satire of the modern desire to "escape" from life. On top of all of that, it is darn entertaining to watch! The characters (played to perfection but Cusack, Diaz, Keener, and Malkovich himself) are all well-drawn, and the actors do a fantastic job- wait until you see Diaz, unrecognizable in frizzy hair and frumpy dress. The directing is top notch as well. Spike Jonze (of Three Kings fame) has made a wise choice- he recognizes the script is the star and has directed a film without any flashy camera work, which would detract from the real focal point. That is not to say the work is pedestrian- he did everything that had to be done to make the film, and he did it well (note his Oscar nod for best director). The production design is a big star here as well. The 7 1/2 floor is almost "Gilliam-esque"- in fact, when I first saw the preview I assumed it was Terry Gilliam's (Brazil, 12 Monkeys) newest film. The best word to describe this film is "giddy." I saw that because that is what I brought away from it- I felt giddy watching it, and you can teel the cast and crew felt the same making it. The best thing I have read about the film was from a rejection letter from another studio, which neglected to option the screenplay: "I'm sure Being John Malkovich would be regarded as a work of genius on whatever planet it was written." If that doesn't make you want to see the thing, nothing will.
Rating:
Summary: A Rare Gem
Review: It's the rarest occurance for me when I walk out of a movie theatre and can't wait for the film I've just seen to come out on video but that's how I feel about Being John Malkovich. I feel like my entire life is just passing time until my preordered BJM DVD from Amazon gets here. Inventive and hilarious can't begin to describe this film. Sure, there are questions that the whole scenario brings up and does not answer but, hey... in a world where Titanics and Phantom Menaces are made and praised, this is a more than welcome change.
Rating:
Summary: Who do you want to be today?
Review: In case, you don't know, that's a line from an Oingo Boingo song. Being John Malkovich is a movie about people. John Cusack is an unemployed puppeteer who gets a new job in a very peculiar place: the 7 & 1/2 floor of an office building. He soon discovers a tunnel into the mind of movie star John Malkovich. That's the plot at it's most basic. Trying to summarize this movie is like trying to explain what color looks like to a blind man. It is a shockingly original, amazing film. It was truly robbed of an Oscar for best original screenplay: while American Beauty was good, it wasn't as good as Malkovich and not nearly as original. The direction by Spike Jonze is strange and surreal. There aren't a lot of bright colors or beautiful shots, but the movie really draws you in with it's dark, strange atmosphere. As I said before, the screenplay is utterly brilliant. The movie kind of reminds me of Terry Gilliam's Brazil - only it's not nearly as maddening to watch. The performances are quite good, but really do serve the story. No one stands out in this movie. Not even Malkovich. One note: if you don't pay attention, the plot may confuse you a bit. Being John Malkovich is a very rare kind of movie indeed: one that is stunningly original and incredibly well-done. Truly a must-see.
Rating:
Summary: It reminds us that some movies are just meant to be FUN!
Review: A movie doesn't have to be "Schindler's List" to be good. Sometimes people forget that movies don't always have to take themselves so seriously. Yet, action flicks sometimes don't take themselves seriously enough. "Being John Malkovich" rises to the challenge to produce a whimsical, utterly HILARIOUS story that is so outright absurd and bizarre from the very start, most viewers will stop trying to make sense of it after about five minutes into the film. It is then that the audience just lays back, goes with the flow and HAS FUN! If you're someone who always has to understand every detail and motive for every action in a film, THIS MOVIE IS NOT FOR YOU! But, if you can handle some silliness, and really like to laugh, watch this movie. You won't be sorry. I was almost crying from laughter in my seat. The whole audience was in an uproar. Refreshing, zany, quality films like this don't show up often. So, don't miss a chance to see "Being John Malkovich," just be sure to check your cynicism at the door. :-)
Rating:
Summary: one of the best
Review: This was without a doubt the most original concept for any film in recent memory. The idea of a portal into someone's mind seems outrageous - and on top of that, whose head is it? JOHN MALKOVICH! I don't know how Charlie Kaufman chose Malkovich, but it worked perfectly. The best idea for a movie in 1999, and Spike Jonze carried it out to perfection. Absolutely hysterical, and easily one of the best and most enjoyable films of the year.
Rating:
Summary: Get real guys!
Review: OK Fine movie in its genre, with good acting, good ideas anddirection. Have anyone even heard about Monthy Python's Flying Circus?It is a British television series (also a permanent cast of humorists) based on absolute humour. The story of BJM, with all the gags and ideas is approximately ten minutes of programming in a Monthy Python show at the same quality (not the movie, the humour). Of course "Being John Malkovich" is still the preferred option to movies like "Matrix".
Rating:
Summary: IT'S A MALKOVICH MASTERPIECE!
Review: Malkovich, Malkovich Malkovich? Malkovich. Malkovich Malkovich! MALKOVICH! What does that mean? Hmm, don't know. But those of you who have seen this magnificient film know what I'm getting at. What can I say about this wonderful film? It's one of the most bizarre, inventive, incredible, original and hilarious films to come along in years, heck, even decades! What's the story you ask? Well. . .It's the simple story of a puppeteer, an actor, a 7 1/2 floor, a portal, a dowdy wife, an abrasive female co-worker, a chimp, the New Jersey Turnpike, a 105 year old boss, and oh yeah, Charlie Sheen. What does all this add up to? One of the greatest films of 1999. If you are tired of the typical "Hollywood" comedy, give this truly orginal film a chance. Spike Jonze, the director, has pieced together a modern classic. Buy this immediately! You wont regret it. MALKOVICH!
Rating:
Summary: Well worth seeing, difficult ending, lots of questions ...
Review: This film is well worth seeing just on its merit as a comedy. Many of the jokes remind me of THE SIMPSONS (a _good_ thing), and yet the film definitely transcends these limits. The questions about and examination of identity, infatuation, sexual desire, and the value of one's life are there in spades, though no clear resolution comes of it. (Not a bad thing, just an observation.) Some of the camera work is simply stunning, esp. the opening sequence and John Malkovich's "dance" sequence. If you appreciate cinematography and crisp direction, this film will be right up your alley. Sorry for the disjointed review ... just my thoughts on this film off the top of my head.
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