durantsteven A unique idea but the zaniness is a bit too much to overcome. Not the director's fault though- Spike Jonze's filmography is defined by the offbeat and probably Being John Malkovich could be his most straightforward, or accessible film. But if so was the intention then he could have made this into a more box office friendly film. The drab settings and production design and the bleak outlook dampened the mood. The acting is good throughout and John Malkovich is very good playing a scared version of himself, and as mentioned at the start- the idea is absolutely class.

classicsoncall One has to give credit to John Malkovich for allowing the film makers to use him as a character in this story, and not always to flattering effect. This is one of those quintessential movies to illustrate the absurd by being absurd. It starts out with the kind of quirky humor that I find entertaining enough but then tries to outdo itself by getting more and more in the weeds with it's intricate and often confusing treatment of personality exchanges and multiple Malkovich's. So in other words, it wears the viewer down after a while and gets to be somewhat overbearing in it's quest to be an off-beat movie. Actually, you know you're asking for trouble when Charlie Sheen is called upon to give advice. If you're quick enough, you'll be able to catch momentary glimpses of folks like Brad Pitt, Winona Ryder and Gary Sinise, some of them so quick they don't even qualify as cameos. Not to be too harsh, it's not a terrible movie and if you like off the wall writing and humor, this will definitely fit the bill. And to think it all started with a Help Wanted Ad looking for a man with fast hands.

gogoschka-1 Charlie Kaufman (script) and Spike Jonze (director) burst on the scene together with their collaboration on this crazy masterpiece. 'Being John Malkovich' pushes the limits of storytelling; this wildly imaginative film shows that even the most surreal storyline can still be made entertaining if a filmmaker doesn't care about conventions and knows just what the medium is capable of. Perhaps the most original release in a year that had several very original releases ('Fight Club' and 'The Matrix' were both also released in '99), the film's playful creative energy had an effect on screenwriters, directors, actors and producers that can hardly be overstated. There had simply never been anything like it - and one only has to look at a contemporary TV show like 'Legion' to see what a mark this film left. Groundbreaking and simply inspired. 9 stars out of 10.Favorite films: IMDb.com/list/mkjOKvqlSBs/Lesser-Known Masterpieces: imdb.com/list/ls070242495/

paulg-67221 This film is well made. Great performances, great idea and an exceptional film for a first-time director.The best thing about the movie is that John Malkovich agreed to play a parody of himself. I admire that he was willing to do this film (after a few years of refusing to star in it).The idea: John Cusack's character finds a portal that leads to John Malkovich's mind. This idea is funny and had potential.The performances by the actors are good. John Cusack did a great job as Craig Schwartz. Cameron Diaz did a great job as Craig's wife, Lotte. John Malkovich did a great job as John Malkovich.However, the weakness of the film is that the story gets weaker as it goes on. At the beginning of the film, Craig is presented sympathetically: he is a struggling puppeteer. But by the end of the film, I stopped caring about him (his obsession with his co-worker, Maxine and locking his wife in a cage played a part in this). The same is for Lotte: at the star of the film she is portrayed as a caring person (especially towards her numerous pets) but by the end of the film I stopped caring (her obsession with Craig's co-worker Maxine played a part in this).SPOILERS START: I think the film went a little overboard with the craziness. At first John Cusack discovers the portal behind a filing cabinet. The portal is a small door hidden under a panel. Later in the film it is revealed a group of old people were going to enter the portal at midnight on John Malkovich's 44th birthday. The problem is the portal being a small door was surrealist enough and did not require an addition plot element.I think the film's idea was strong enough not to have additional plot lines like immortality through changing bodies (suppose the 'vessel' they are using dies in an accident or gets a disease - not a secure method and why midnight on the 44th birthday? The human brain stops developing in the 20s - why not then? They'll be in that 'vessel' far longer). The wife's romance with the lady at Craig's workplace (in John Malkovich's body). Craig controlling Malkovich's boy for 8 months (makes him very unlikable as well as caging his wife, also when he leaves Malkovich's body he looks like he would have had he stayed only 15 minutes - considering he was controlling Malkovich after some practice, he is a puppeteer, does that mean he was separate? He must have been as Malkovich was aware that he wasn't in control. Also he would have been reported missing). The rules of the portal are not clearly explained - it allows you to enter John Malkovich's mind for 15 minutes to somehow allowing people to stay longer if they really want to (how silly is that, considering those who enter the portal are willing to pay $200 for the experience?). Maxine was unlikable in the first place and the fact she's manipulative and gets a happy ending bothered me.SPOILERS OVER: Despite my problems, I would still recommend at least a watch to make up your mind. It's still a good film (although I probably won't watch it again). Considering that it's hugely popular and praised, obviously some people enjoy it.