Being John Malkovich

Amazon.com essential video

While too many movies suffer the fate of creative bankruptcy, Being John Malkovich is a refreshing study in contrast, so bracingly original that you'll want to send director Spike Jonze and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman a thank-you note for restoring your faith in the enchantment of film. Even if it ultimately serves little purpose beyond the thrill of comedic invention, this demented romance is gloriously entertaining, spilling over with ideas that tickle the brain and even touch the heart. That's to be expected in a movie that dares to ponder the existential dilemma of a forlorn puppeteer (John Cusack) who discovers a metaphysical portal into the brain of actor John Malkovich.

The puppeteer's working as a file clerk on the seventh-and-a-half floor of a Manhattan office building; this idea alone might serve as the comedic basis for an entire film, but Jonze and Kaufman are just getting started. Add a devious coworker (Catherine Keener), Cusack's dowdy wife (a barely recognizable Cameron Diaz), and a business scheme to capitalize on the thrill of being John Malkovich, and you've got a movie that just gets crazier as it plays by its own outrageous rules. Malkovich himself is the film's pièce de résistance, riffing on his own persona with obvious delight and--when he enters his own brain via the portal--appearing with multiple versions of himself in a tour-de-force use of digital trickery. Does it add up to much? Not really. But for 112 liberating minutes, Being John Malkovich is a wild place to visit. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

This movie is dumb........2007-08-19

After viewing it for myself, I feel that most of the comments made about the movie are seriously misleading (The good reviews were the reason that I purchased the movie in the first place). There are some aspects of the movie that I consider well thought out and interesting, but the movie itself falls short of all the "ingenious, original, modern masterpiece" nonsense that is said about it. During the first half of the movie, my expectations were high that this was going to turn out to be an offbeat indie movie comparable to the works of Michel Gondry . . . . that is not the case at all.
The beginning of the movie, like I said before seemed promising. . . . the main character is an unemployed puppeteer who is truly gifted with creative genius in his art. Unfortunately for him, his line of work is a dying breed and because he is a nameless no one, he lives his life in obscurity, giving performances on street corners, which even there are not well received. Based on a suggestion by his wife (an eccentric sort herself, with numerous pets to compensate for lack thereof of children), he seeks employment. The only appealing job he finds remotely related to his line of work, is a job as a filing clerk, requiring someone with nimble hands. His new job is found on the 7 1/2 floor of an office building, where the ceilings are so low that workers have to hunch over in order to walk around it.

After dropping a file behind a cabinet, he accidental discovers a portal into the mind of John Malkovich. He crawls down it and finds that he can now see through the eyes of John, becoming him for 15 minutes. After which, he is flung out of the portal and is thrown into a ditch along the Jersey Turnpike. He and another coworker (a love interest for both him and his wife) quickly decide to use this discovery to make fast cash and market the portal as a sort of theme-park ride for individuals willing to pay out 200 dollars to go through the tunnel.

The plot takes a serious nosedive after this point. The remaining times that the main character or his wife go through the portal to be john Malkovich are basically for the sake of having sex with the main character's coworker in an out of body experience. . . which I thought was a disappointing turn in what could have been an otherwise very good movie. . . . Am I the only one that doesn't find it appealing to watch this kind of crap?

I don't understand how this can even remotely be considered a work of cinematic art. It uses sex, like so many other shallow movies, to cover up the empty space between the beginning and end of the movie to hold over the viewers interest and disguise a lack of substance in a poorly developed point in the plot.

The climax of the movie displays some of the same creative qualities that I found appealing in the introduction, but overall it just left me just hoping it would hurry up and end. . . . . . Needless to say I will not be watching this movie again anytime soon.

rabbitwhisperer.......2007-07-21

Funny, Inventive, and asks the cosmic question of what if we could be somebody else.

Being John Malcovich.......2007-07-11

This strangely inventive surrealistic comedy was the inaugural collaboration between onetime music-video director Jonze and talented screenwriter Charlie Kaufman. With such a bizarre concept, this film could have sent audiences home scratching their own noggins, but Cusack, Keener, and an unrecognizable Diaz have a bright, wonderful chemistry that shines through all the head-trippiness. And who can deny that Malkovich, normally such a priggish presence, doesn't have a devilish sense of humor, especially in a hilarious scene where he enters his own head and freaks out? Clever, inspired, and extremely funny, "Malkovich" is cinema-as-funhouse-mirror, and the effect is dizzying.

Excellent - in all areas.......2007-07-01

A great original film which shows the potential once again of an independent production. The photography and the writing were exceptionally well done. I've revisited this film at least 10 times.

Incredible original story........2007-06-16

This film is a modern masterpiece, an original idea that has no rival. Genius in film making. That being said it was damn funny too. Who would have thought that you could base an entire movie around John Malkovich. The ; "in your own head scene" was the funniest thing I've seen in years. Great movie definitely recommend. Call my agent, From now on out its all puppets.

Average customer rating:

Being John Malkovich [HD DVD]
Starring: Orson Bean , Ned Bellamy , John Cusack , K.K. Dodds , and Richard Fancy
Director: Spike Jonze
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: HD DVD

General | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video

Comedy | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video

Drama | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video

Science Fiction & Fantasy | HD DVD | Formats | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000OHZL44
Release Date: 2007-06-26

Description

Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) is a struggling street puppeteer. In order to make some money, Craig takes a job as a filing clerk. One day he accidentally discovers a door… a portal into the mind of John Malkovich (played by John Malkovich)! For 15 minutes, he experiences the ultimate head trip - HE is John Malkovich! Then he's dumped out onto the New Jersey turnpike! With his beautiful office mate Maxine (Catherine Keener) and his pet-obsessed wife (Cameron Diaz), they hatch a plan to let others into John's brain for just $200 a trip. See what all the critics are talking about.

Average customer rating:

This movie is dumb.
rabbitwhisperer
Being John Malcovich
Excellent - in all areas
Incredible original story.

Being John Malkovich
Starring: Orson Bean , Ned Bellamy , W. Earl Brown , Kevin Carroll , and John Cusack
Manufacturer: Polygram USA Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: 6305807086
Release Date: 2000-05-02

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

This movie is dumb........2007-08-19

rabbitwhisperer.......2007-07-21

Funny, Inventive, and asks the cosmic question of what if we could be somebody else.

Being John Malcovich.......2007-07-11

Excellent - in all areas.......2007-07-01

A great original film which shows the potential once again of an independent production. The photography and the writing were exceptionally well done. I've revisited this film at least 10 times.

Incredible original story........2007-06-16

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose (October 28, 1999)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter discusses his faith, appreciation of forgiveness, and current politics. He shares his new book, The Sources of Strength, which is the companion book to his earlier best-seller, Living Faith.||Then, a rebroadcasted conversation with actor John Malkovich on his performance in the film Being John Malkovich, which is written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Spike Jonze. This segment originally appeared October 14, 1999.

Average customer rating:

This movie is dumb.
rabbitwhisperer
Being John Malcovich
Excellent - in all areas
Incredible original story.

Being John Malkovich [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000055WJN

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

This movie is dumb........2007-08-19

rabbitwhisperer.......2007-07-21

Funny, Inventive, and asks the cosmic question of what if we could be somebody else.

Being John Malcovich.......2007-07-11

Excellent - in all areas.......2007-07-01

A great original film which shows the potential once again of an independent production. The photography and the writing were exceptionally well done. I've revisited this film at least 10 times.

Incredible original story........2007-06-16

Average customer rating:

This movie is dumb.
rabbitwhisperer
Being John Malcovich
Excellent - in all areas
Incredible original story.

Being John Malkovich [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00004XOBO

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

This movie is dumb........2007-08-19

rabbitwhisperer.......2007-07-21

Funny, Inventive, and asks the cosmic question of what if we could be somebody else.

Being John Malcovich.......2007-07-11

Excellent - in all areas.......2007-07-01

A great original film which shows the potential once again of an independent production. The photography and the writing were exceptionally well done. I've revisited this film at least 10 times.

Incredible original story........2007-06-16

Average customer rating:

This movie is dumb.
rabbitwhisperer
Being John Malcovich
Excellent - in all areas
Incredible original story.

Being John Malkovich [Region 2]

ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00004U8OC

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

This movie is dumb........2007-08-19

rabbitwhisperer.......2007-07-21

Funny, Inventive, and asks the cosmic question of what if we could be somebody else.

Being John Malcovich.......2007-07-11

Excellent - in all areas.......2007-07-01

A great original film which shows the potential once again of an independent production. The photography and the writing were exceptionally well done. I've revisited this film at least 10 times.

Incredible original story........2007-06-16

Charlie Rose with John Malkovich (April 30, 2003)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with John Malkovich (April 30, 2003)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose, Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Educational | Genres | DVD | Video

Description

Charlie speaks with John Malkovich about his latest film, The Dancer Upstairs. The film marks Malkovich's directorial debut and deals with the Shining Path movement in Peru, which terrorized the country in the 1980s.

Charlie Rose with Richard Holbrooke & R.W. Apple; John Malkovich (October 14, 1999)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Richard Holbrooke & R.W. Apple; John Malkovich (October 14, 1999)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

A look at the defeat of the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty in the Senate. Ambassador to the United Nations Richard Holbrooke and R.W. "Johnny" Apple of The New York Times consider the vote's potential consequences for American foreign policy. Also, an interview with the actor John Malkovich. He talks about his performance in film Being John Malkovich, written by Charlie Kaufman. Malkovich discusses some of his roles in stage theatre and shares his opinions on the public's fascination with celebrities.

DVD:

DVD

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