Being John Malkovich [MA]

Craig Schwartz is a dishevelled and struggling street puppeteer who takes a job in a filing agency to establish a more stable financial existence with his wife. One day, he discovers a door hidden behind a filing cabinet: a door, which is actually a portal that allows him to enter the mind and body of John Malkovich for fifteen minutes. Soon his wife, Lotte, and his business partner and love interest Maxine are let in on the secret and a series of bizarre personal and sexual escapades are set in motion, not ending in everyone’s best interest. 

It has to be said that this is an amazing film and an amazing story but, Charlie Kaufman, HOW THE FUCK DID YOU COME UP AN IDEA LIKE THIS? 

Craig Schwartz is a dishevelled and struggling street puppeteer who takes a job in a filing agency to establish a more stable financial existence with his wife. One day, he discovers a door hidden behind a filing cabinet: a door, which is actually a portal that allows him to enter the mind and body of John Malkovich for fifteen minutes. Soon his wife, Lotte, and his business partner and love interest Maxine are let in on the secret and a series of bizarre personal and sexual escapades are set in motion, not ending in everyone’s best interest.  

The basic story of Being John Malkovich is the only real clincher as its both astoundingly original and amazing, but at the same time horrendously dark and sometimes sick. The story opens portals to all sorts of thinking and brings up questions and ideas that are sometimes too dark and otherworldly to comprehend. The initial novelty of being able to enter someone else’s body is one thing, but then this movie put on some very dark and sometimes distressing coats: I began to get officially freaked out when Craig and Lotte fall for the same woman and then Craig loses his grip on reality and locks Lotte in a cage. A CAGE! 

The dark development of the movie is something sick but at the same time special to behold and the sharp and cleverly constructed script is filled with phrases and ideas that really grab you by the throat and keep your eyes glued to the screen. The movie explores all avenues of marital and societal dramas, not to mention sexual orientations as well. The entire thing is delightfully bizarre and deliciously dark and confusing at times, but it is really worth the puzzlement and distress that ensues. It’s almost impossible to put into the words the brilliance and the bizarreness of this film. FUCK IT, JUST WATCH IT PEOPLE. 

The special effects and, in particular, the sound editing and design is also something that deserves an accolade, especially when we first enter Malkovich’s body and hear everything through his ears. The surround takes on a slightly muffled and distant timbre that I found really intriguing. 

Featuring amazing performances from John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, (whom you would hardly recognise), Ned Bellamy, Eric Weinstein, Madison Lanc, Octavia Spencer, Mary Kay Place, Orson Bean, Catherine Keener, K.K Dodds, Reginald C. Hayes, Byrne Piven, Judith Wetzell, Kevin Carroll, Charlie Sheen, and of course, John Malkovich who parodies himself very well, Being John Malkovich is an astounding movie filled with science fiction, drama, despair, desperation, romance, love, and dark comedy. … Words fail me, this movie is surreal, mind blowing, and both dark and delightful. WATCH IT!

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