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Being John Malkovich Customer Reviews (16 - 18 of 67 Reviews)

A different blend of comedy
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.

Another well-reviewed movie I didn't like.
June 10, 2002

"Being John Malkovich' can't be satire. Its
characters are too outrageously drawn to stand in
for just plain folks. It is in its own strange
way a horror film, since it proceeds from a nightmare
logic all its own. However, it replaces the glee of
that more simplistic brand of entertainment with a
neurotic need to batter itself, its characters, and
us, with endlessly glib tortures. It envisions a
world where every desire is a joke, every emotion a

manipulation, every character a fraud.

The story begins with John Cusack's character, a
pretentious artist and sexually frustrated husband
married to a frigid frump of a wife. Forced to
take a job, Cusack chases an attractive co-worker,
even though she's something of a soulless,
... shrew. By means of a magic tunnel, all
three main characters enjoy life in another body,
until, after numerous kinky adventures (which are
not so much tongue-in-cheek as tongue-in-canker-sore),
the film winds its way to a heavily masochistic
conclusion. Without giving too much away, Cusack's
characters ends up taking the brunt of things.
This is strange because his character seemed to be
the only one in the film with any ambition, dreams,
or a modicum of conscience.

Undeniably an interesting film, but, unable to justify
itself or its sexual politics, 'Being John Malkovich'
is a frustrating and ultimately displeasing film.

I recall reading somewhere that the screenwriter,
Charlie Kaufman, is heavy into analysis. Seeing his
movie, I'm not surprised.

Definitely original and fun
Being John Malkovich is easily one of the most original films ever made. It's plot is twisted and difficult to explain; a financially failing puppeteer, Craig Schwartz (John Cusack), works on the 7 ½ (!) floor of a building filing papers and discovers a portal to the actor John Malkovich's brain. His sexy, tempestuous co-worker played by Catherine Keener is along for the ride, and his wife (Cameron Diaz) is involved with both. Then there is Schwartz's boss (Orson Bean) who also has a special interest in Malkovich.

The idea behind this film is brilliant, but the most fun of all comes from watching Malkovich himself endure this bizarre situation. The cast and the special effects are the two best features of this film, and Malkovich should win some type of award for being such a good sport. Unfortunately, the story sputters a little near the end, but for its originality and bizarreness , this is definitely worth seeing. Spike Jonze has made his directing debut that will be remembered for a long time.

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