Being John Malkovich

Rating:
Summary: Debunking John Malkovitch
Review: This movie seems scripted as if the screenwriter was involved in that parlour game where someone starts a story with a sentence and then the next person in line adds a line, and so on. Except all the players commence the story after consuming some awesome 'shrooms. So yeah, its an amazing concept, and has some crazy premises and situations, and it is imaginative, but as is typical thoroughout the movie, the explanations of the basic concept of this film by old timers who aid the Cameron Diaz character are contrived and wholly unsatisfying. By the end you're asking yourself "what happened to the Cusack character?", nevermind the Hollywood-politically correct coupling of the Keener and Diaz characters. The movie has the feel that the writer took nearly his entire schedule writing the first half of the story, and that he finished the last half of the story in four hours to meet his deadline.

For those of you that say the movie satisfies your curiosity as to what it would be like to be someone else, in reality, the Cusack character is actually being himself only within the facade of Malkovitch's body. In the late scene in JM's agent's office, where Malkovitch reveals to the agent of his impending "career change", JM takes on the persona of Cusack. So what's the difference? If that's all there is, then I'd rather be in Cusack's body. And yeah there's the blatant, obvious, idea that one's talents are more well received if you're famous to begin with, but my 14 year old niece could have told me that, and I could have saved $8.00.

So rent it, watch it and forget it. Its got nothing to say and is nothing more than a nihilistic roller coaster ride where all the great hills are at the beginning. The roller coaster end up jumping the track, and you have to walk back to the park feeling only half amused.

Rating:
Summary: A comedy with depth, laughs, insights and CREATIVITY!
Review: I avoided this 1999 film when it was in the theaters. It looked just plain silly to me. And yet, it's received accolades from critics everywhere. And so I decided to catch up on what everyone was making such a fuss about and see the DVD. Oh my! What a film! I've never seen anything so innovative and creative in my life!

John Cusak stars as an out-of-work puppeteer. Cameron Diaz is his wife. Catherine Keener is the sassy woman they both find attractive. And John Malkovich plays a version of himself. All are excellent actors. And all are exceptional. How the writer, Charlie Kaufman, ever thought up the premise is amazing. And the director, Spike Jonze, certainly knew how to make it all fit together.

This is a comedy with depth. And the laughs and insights keep getting better. There's an office building with a floor numbered 7-1/2. It's only 4 feet high and everyone who works there has to walk around half stooped over. Then there's a secret doorway behind a file cabinet. When a person crawls in, he or she falls down a tunnel and finds himself or herself inside the brain of the actor John Malkovich for a mere 15 minutes. Soon, Catherine Keener and John Cusak are selling tickets to people who want to experience this. Soon, too, Cameron Diaz gets hooked - so much so that, with an interesting gender-bender twist of the plot, she finds herself being John Malkovich while making love to Catherine Keener. And that's just one of the many sub-plots.

Sound confusing? Well it's not. It might sound silly, but as a viewer I was completely there with the story all the way, letting myself enjoy the twists and turns of the plot that just kept getting better as this intriguing tale moved along. It's all very surreal. And it's absolutely brilliant.

Later, I thought about all the themes it touched on. The puppeteer theme had to do with manipulation, both with puppets and with real people. Everyone was manipulated in this film, and different people pulled the strings at different times. It also had to do with what it means to be a celebrity. And what, actually, is identity?

I loved this film and hoped the DVD would have some good special features. I yearned for insight into the making of the film and I wished there were interviews with the actors. Instead, there's scene with an "extra" who had the job of driving a car back and forth all night so that the headlights would give the appropriate background for one of the shots. And a scene where the director feels sick and throws up. However, when I think about it, what can I expect from such off-beat filmmakers?

This is the most refreshing film to come out of Hollywood that I've ever seen. It might not be for everyone but I thought it was great! It therefore gets one of my highest recommendations.

Rating:
Summary: A different blend of comedy
Review: As it will go without saying mid-way through the movie, "Being John Malkovich" is a film of comical distinction; it's a movie that cannot, and should not, be compared to any other motion picture in the business. Spike Jonze gives us something we're not used to. Although it's something we'd like to see more of, coming from a guy who'd spent most of his career in the music business.

But beside the strange plot, quirky characters and rarely seen 'sick' comedy, in lies a good movie. John Cusack takes the starring role as Craig Schwartz. Craig's a sad, almost depressed man who searches through want-ads looking for puppeteering jobs; which is comical in itself. And sitting beside him there is Lotte, played by "There's Something About Mary" star Cameron Diaz. She's an upbeat, postive animal-lover with hair that's so frizzy it's almost frightening. With both characters being introduced, the movie's beginning is a bit slow, and let's us know nothing about anything. But Craig's big break comes when he comes upon a job looking for 'fast fingers'; a filing job, in fact. What's funny, is it happens to be on the 7 1/2 floor of a local office building. Which, when you watch the movie, you'll understand. So being a professional puppeteer, he nails the interview and gets the job. Meanwhile, the movie's still moving at a rather slow place. But then it starts to pick up, Craig puts his eyes upon a woman by the name of Maxine (Catherine Keener), who is a bit of a push-over. And, being somewhat condescending, she laughs at him. Anyway, to get to the point, Schwartz eventually stumbles upon a small door behind a filing cabinet. Of course, being the straight-shooter-pursuer he is, he opens the door. And while making his way down a tunnel of dirt, he soon finds himself inside the head of a human. The human is, naturally, John Malkovich (who plays himself). I'm sure by now you were wondering what the title had to do with the movie. Well, there you go. And that's where I'll leave you. Malkovich's port-hole 'aperture', or whatever you desire, will turn out to be more than just a door, as Craig soon finds out.

I gave this movie only 3 stars because it lacks a strong start; something I feel is important in the making of a great film. But, nevertheless, the movie is definetly worth seeing. It is, as said before, categorized as comedy; and for the most part that's what it is. Spike Jonze has made his presence felt in this business. And if you see this movie, you'll certainly be moved whether it be in a good or bad way. It has a great cast and features some funny cameo appearances, along with Charlie Sheen (who also plays himself). Again, I can't compare this movie to anything I've ever seen, which says a lot. All in all it's a respectable piece of work, and I'm looking forward to seeing Jonze's next film, "Adaptation". It stars Nicolas Cage, and is out right now.

Rating:
Summary: AMAZING
Review: This movie is amazing. A. Ma. Zing. And I mean that in every single conceivable sense of the word. It is a marvel to behold, a comedy with an outrageous premise, but told with great poignancy and emotion. I can't even begin to describe the plot, or really say anything about the story for two reasons: (1) its so rediculously twisted that I wouldn't know where to begin, and (2) most of the fun of watching it for the first time is in not knowing exactly what the hell you're watching. All the actors do an amazing job, but its not really the acting that stands out here, it's the inginous story. Never have I seen a movie that is more constantly entertaining from beginnning to end (besides the imminent Catch Me If You Can). The story starts, and you're happy that its so weird and offbeat. Then comes the next 20 minutes, and what you thought was weird in the beginning is now Forrest Gump in comparison. This trend continues throughout the film, the story constantly putting twists upon twists until the end. And when the end is approaching, you're thinking, "This movie is so great, it can't possibly end right," but it does. And, oh man, does it ever. What else can I say? Being John Malkovich is one hell of a ride.

Rating:
Summary: One of the most strikingly original recent Hollywood movies
Review: 1999 was a very good year for films indeed, with Fight Club, Memento, Boys Don't Cry, Magnolia and Being John Malkovich all being released in the space of a year. Being John Malkovich is probably the most promising debut of any director that I've ever seen, ranking right alongside last year's Lantana. Directed by Spike Lee, formally known for making pop videos, this is as surprising as it is astonishing. Telling the story of Cusack's disillusioned puppeteer who whilst working on the 7th and a half floor of an office building discovers a way into John Malkovich's mind, this is brilliant filmmaking from start to finish. As the movie progresses Cusack's character falls in love with the seductive Keener. It's just unfortunate that his animal-obsessed wife (Diaz in a completely unforgettable role, not just for her acting ability but for the fact that she manages to look dowdy) becomes obsessed with being John Malkovich and that Keener is in love with her inside of Malkovich.

It would be completely impossible to pigeon-hole this into any one genre. Suffice to say that its a twisted love story fantasy science-fiction dramatic comedy. What makes the movie though, as well as its sheer and consistent originality, is its performances. Cusack and Diaz for once are playing the losers, the dowdy couple who appear doomed to a life of miserable boredom. Keener as the maneater is also incredibly enjoyable, winning herself a well-deserved Oscar nomination for her multi-faceted performance that could so easily have fallen into parody. Perhaps what is most delightful though is John Malkovich himself playing along with it all, poking fun at his public persona where nobody can remember any of his films and he's often overly dramatic. Indeed, the scene where he enters his own mind just to see a nightmarish visual of his head imposed on other people's bodies, each one only able to utter 'Malkovich' can only be described as comic genius.

There are countless aspects of this movie that make it enjoyable, although probably the most refreshing aspect of it all is that it was made in the first place. It would seem that hte public have become tired of blockbusters and are craving for something different. Being John Malkovich is about as far removed from the typical Hollywood movie as you could possibly imagine and not something you'd perhaps expect to see big name stars in. The only thing I can think of is that the actors read the magnificent script. Equal parts nightmare and fantasy, Being John Malkovich is one of the most original Hollywood pictures ever released. I can't recommend it strongly enough.

Rating:
Summary: Be someone else.
Review: This movie, as you've read, is off-the-wall, yet it manages to ask key questions about the nature of identity. It's funny, constantly manic yet always interesting.

Catherine Keener deserved her Oscar nomination, playing Maxine as this vicious shrew who managed to find and find herself deserving of love. Nearly unrecognizable under a giant, frizzy wig, ministering to animals while trying to come to terms with realizing she's a man in a woman's body, Cameron Diaz gives the best performance of her career. And the switch given to John Cusack's character, from sad-sack hero to villain, proves his range. And Malkovich as Malkovich is superb.

Visually, it's stunning, as well. The puppet show scenes, occasionally hysterical, are just plain neat. And the scene where Malkovich enters his own portal is a particular highlight.

This was the best film of 1999.

Rating:
Summary: Being John Malkovich
Review: This movie initially demonstrates a great deal of promise. I was very excited to see it, I had heard great things about the movie's creative premise. This is a great movie for people who aren't offended by husbands locking up their wives while they go to pursue other women. I believe John Cusak's character locks his wife up in an animal cage (twice) and binds her up with duct tape. Another distinctive memory is the creative puppeteer making lewd public display (on a sidewalk) of lust between a nun and a priest. I guess it's not for the religiously sensitive either. As an aside, the wife eventully "comes around" and begins to lust after the same woman as her husband. I'm sure I'm leaving out a lot of details from this dark, morally stunted movie. However, it's been a long time since I've seen it and I will NOT be exposing my mind to this movie again.

Rating:
Summary: So weird it was ordinary
Review: This movie was so hyped, so built up, and it's just so mediocre. It has a bizarre idea and turns itself into a mockery of the craft of abstract movie making. It's so pretentious and stuffy, I want to gag myself with a pipe-cleaner. I like malkovich as usual, he's a very formidable and demanding presence, but other than that the movie blew. I was bored and apathetic by the closing ten minutes. May Spike Jonze succeed with his follow up Adaption.

Rating:
Summary: Mind-boggling comedy
Review: One of the most unusual mainstream films ever made. You havent seen it? Stop reading here and go get it. The plot itself isnt your usual Hollywood fare: guy discovers a portal that leads to straight to the inside of John Malkovich. Puppeteer guys girlfriend uses to portal to initiate a transexual affair with puppeteer guys female colleague - using John Malkovichs body. A stunningly assured piece of work from video director Spike Jonez who toys with just about every conception of modern cinema there is. Cameron Diaz shows what a talented comedy actress she is, John Cusack carries off the male lead with distinction, John Malkovich is sporting as himself, but for me the films real star is Catherine Keener who smoulders with provocative sexuality and femme fatale appeal. Jones has very light touch, and although Being John Malkovich is a highly unorthodox film, you cant help but get [pulled] into the movie, which at times adopts a sort of Dogma-real-life- shaky-Handicam approach for a documentary-like authnticity. I dont generally buy a lot of movies but this is one to keep and watch on a regular basis. Great gift, in fact.

Rating:
Summary: Toxic Symptoms!
Review:

Being John Malkovich is four and a half stars. This movie is comedy part and 1 hour 53 minutes playing. This film had a perfect casting who was John cusack, Cameron Diaz, John Malkovich. These movies are different than the other Hollywood or comedy. Beautiful directed and acted also funny.

A man takes a new job on the 7th half floor of some building. His named is Craig and he finds an ad in the papers. He saw a filing clerk at Lester Company. One day he finds strange door in his office room. The door can be a John Malkovich's eye. When Craig is sucked into the door, he can be John Malkovich, an actor on Broadway, and boring Craig lives John's exciting life, meeting famous people and pretty girls every day.

This film gave me fresh ideas. I thought this film, made of questions, absolutely this film fixed my idea when I watched John Malkovich's movies.
The director, his name Jonze did a really amazing job. When I was watching the film I couldn't move away. And I couldn't understand what the director gives a message. I watched twice one day. Most people like romantic movies or science fiction.

But "Being John Malkovich" is totally different film. That helped me to make a think by myself. How about my life and If I John, what am I doing? Have you been enjoy yourself in life? Are you enjoying now?

I loved this movie. It is original!

Ever eant to be someone else? Now, you can!!