Being John Malkovich
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Movie Reviews of Being John Malkovich
Movie Review: A few comments
Summary: 5 Stars
I just had a few miscellaneous comments on this very unusual film. I'm usually easily entertained when it comes to movies, because I don't usually expect very much of them (at least the stuff that normally comes out of Hollywood as compared to various independent directors). It's rare that I really rave about a film, but I have to admit I was impressed with how original and unusual this film was. A lot of films are pretty predictable, but this one isn't, and the film had me wondering what kind of wacky and funny hijinx or scene would come up next. But they did just that for the next two hours. The film also playfully explores some pretty profound questions relating to identity, consciousness, the afterlife, and so on. And on top of that there's a kinky scene or two that are pretty over the top just by themselves.
Given all the above, I would have to count this as one of the more intelligent, unusual, and funny movies to come out in recent memory. I was a little surprised it had even been produced and come out of Hollywood rather than by an independent director, but shortly after I'd seen the film I heard a brief interview on PBS with the scriptwriter and he said the same thing, that he was surprised when the script was picked up and the studio actually decided to make the film.
Also, it's great to see Orson Bean is still working, and actually, I thought he looked pretty good for his age in the movie. I remember from the old days when he appeared on the Johnny Carson show and he called himself a "humorist" rather than a comedian. Well, I'm not sure really what the difference is between humor and comedy, but this movie certainly has them both in spades and it was very obvious he had a lot of fun making the movie too.
I very rarely rent movies that I've seen in the theater and see them twice, but I plan on renting this one and watching it again soon, since I haven't seen it since it first came out five years ago. Overall, a very unusual, outrageous, and entertaining film that I suspect will become a cult classic.
Movie Review: Reviewing John Malkovich
Summary: 5 Stars
"Being John Malkovich" is one of the most daring, strangest, and original movies in years. We meet unemployed puppeteer Craig Schwartz (John Cusack), tepidly married to wife Lotte Schwartz (Cameron Diaz), who has filled their small apartment with psychologically damaged zoo animals. Craig is only engaged when practicing his artistic puppetry (the film opens with a puppet doing the "dance of despair").Craig finds a want ad for a "fast-fingered" man and is hired as a filing clerk, on the 7 1/2th floor of an office building. The ceilings are less than 5 feet high, and everyone walks around stooped. His ancient boss wants to talk about his ancient sexual conquests, and the boss's secretary deliberately mistranslates everyone's speech. So, loser Craig now has oppressive home and work life, when he meets the devious Maxine (Catherine Keener). Craig falls for Maxine, Maxine couldn't care less about Craig, and lets him know in the nastiest way. Craig doesn't care.
One day he finds an opening behind a file cabinet and follows it into... John Malkovich's head. For 15 minutes Craig experiences Malkovich's ride in a taxicab. Then Craig is dumped by the side of the NJ Turnpike. He tells Maxine all about it, and she immediately sees the business possibilities. Craig goes along, wanting to please her. Lotte meets Maxine and also falls for her. Maxine decides she prefers Lotte, but only when Lotte goes through the portal and is "being John Malkovich." Craig, by now insanely jealous, locks Lotte in the chimp cage and becomes Malkovich himself, knowing Maxine has a "date" with "Lotte."
And things continue from there, plenty more plot I haven't told you about, such as what happens when Malkovich finds out about this business venture! Director Spike Jonze did a marvelous job with the lighting and sets; Craig's life on the bizarre 7 1/2th floor is just as cramped and closed-in as his apartment full of pets with childhood trauma. Only in Malkovich's world is there space and light.
A brilliant original.
Movie Review: Hilarious, Extremely Original, and Very Entertaining!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Craig Schwartz ( John Cusack)dreams of being a successful puppeteer, but is struggling to make ends meet. To make some extra money, he takes a job as a filing clerk. One day at work, he accidentally stumbles onto a door, that is really a portal into the brain of John Malkovich. For fifteen minutes, he sees, hears, and experiences everything that Malkovich does. Then he is dumped onto the New Jersey turnpike. Together with his beautiful co-worker Maxine ( Catherine Keener), and pet-obsessed wife Lotte (Cameron Diaz), they come up with a way to make "Being John Malovich" a profitable one, by charging 200 bucks a trip. The only problem, is that Malkovich starts to learn about what's going on... "Being John Malkovich" is one of the funniest and most original films I have ever seen in my life. The script is amazing with its combination of puppetry, infidelity, and out of body experiences. The love triangle between Keener, Diaz, and Cusak is extremely well done, and fun to watch. It is also extremely funny, because they are only attracted to each other when they are inside Malkovich. The three really offer top notch performances. However, the best performance of all was given by the man himself John Malkovich. John is extremely funny in the role, and gives an accurate portrayal of what one would go through in his situation. Watching him as a puppeteer,will have you in tears from laughing so hard. The camera work on this film is outstanding. The film is actually shot at times, from the inside of John's head, looking out.
This extremely funny, and bizare film is truly one of the best films that I have seen in the last couple of years. The plot is extremely interesting and creative, the acting is perfect all the way around, and the camera work is amazing. The DVD is outstanding and offers an interview with director Spike Jonze, a look at the art of puppeteering, and a lot more. Definately a must own for anyone's DVD collection.
Movie Review: "Meet you in Malkovich in one hour"
Summary: 5 Stars
"Being John Malkovich" (1999), the Spike Jonze's directorial debut, is an amazing film - hip, inventive, delightfully weird, incredibly funny and disturbingly serious with the gleefully absurd plot twists. Let's face it, that was a stroke of genius - to throw together the tragic medieval lovers, Abelard and Heloise in the street show created by a talented puppeteer Craig Scwartzh (John Cusack) with the nimble fingers but out of work in "today's wintry economic climate", Elijah the Chimp with the mental problems that go back to his childhood, the surreal office that is located on the 7 1/2 store of a New York City office building and a floor is four feet high. Add Cameron Diaz (Craig's animals loving wife Lotte), completely unrecognizable, aging and balding Charlie Sheen, cynical and practical Maxine (Catherine Keener), who had an unique experience of having two people looked at her "with complete lust and devotion, through the same pair of eyes", and send them all to the wild ride inside the famous and respectable actor John Malkovich's brain to see what he sees and to feel what he feels, to the trip that would last 15 minutes and end up in a ditch on the side of New Jersey Turnpike. This is just the beginning...Oh, and what John Horatio Malkovich feels with all the travelers in his head and what he sees when he enters the portal to his own brain, you have to find out for yourself! What drug were Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze on?! Not even two hours long, the movie never ceases to surprise and entertain. "Being John Malkovich" is a fascinating and truly original film which I love and always enjoy watching even if there were never a connection with any of its characters (with the exception of Abelard and Heloise and Elijah the Chimp).
Movie Review: Possibly the weirdest film of all time, absolutely brilliant
Summary: 5 Stars
Warning:before watching this film you should realize that this could be one of the weirdest, craziest film of all time. It kept me scratching my head. Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) is a puppeteer who is struggling for stardom in fame. In order to put food on the table, Craig decides to get a job. He finds himself as filing clerk. He then discovers a portal to the mind of John Malkovich. The portal allows you to be John Malkavich for 15. Your John Malkovich for fifteen minutes and then dumped in the turnpike of New Jersey. Then he falls in love with his co-worker Maxine (Catherine Keener)Craig, Maxine, and Craigs current wife Lotte (Cameron Diaz) charge $200 to let people be John Malkavich. But then as Lotte continues to go to the portal and then falls in love with Maxine, as Lotte continues going to the portal and being John Malkavich. It is then a war between Craig and Lotte of who's getting Maxine. It is a crazed script.
Personally out of this film I was just stunned. Watching this film once isn't really enough. It can be kind of disturbing in ways. Personally I thought the movie was a great success. But that's me, other people think it is a stupid film out of the story. But it is not, you will like it. Really before watching this I didn't even know who John Malkovich was, and still technically don't. And its weird to see someone play themselves. Since in this page they don't show what are the special features. So here they are.
·Trailer and tv spots
·Interview with director spike jonze
·Cast and crew
·Spikes photo album
·Art on the puppeteering
·Seven and a half floor orientation
Over all I think the films great. Just remember its weird. A must see though.