Sorry, this movie sucks

Highly Overrated But Still Good

Fresh and Exciting

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

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.

Being John Malkovich is a brilliant movie. Spike Jonz and Charlie Kaufman did an amazing job directing and writing. The movie flawlessly weaves multiple bizarre stories and characters together. The movie was very well shot from the opening scene with the puppets all the way through to the end mixing reality with fantasy. It has a wonderful cast, with great performances by John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, Orson Bean, and John Malkovich. Being John Malkovich is one of the many movies that got me interested in movies. It is one of the best movies from the 1990's. It is a complex movie that is fun to watch. Every time I see it I catch something new. It is absolutely brilliant, any body really interested in movies should see it.

As a fan of mind-bending films like "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "Memento", I was recommended this one on Netflix and decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, after being intrigued by the trailer, I found that this movie is not all all what is advertised.For a basic plot summary, "Being John Malkovich" sees an eccentric puppeteer (Jon Cusack) finding a portal that leads into the mind of actor John Malkovich (John Malkovich). Chaos then ensues when the experience is turned into a profit-making venture.Put simple, this is an artsy, "concept" film if ever one was created. Many themes in the film are interesting and have potential to really intrigue, but all are eschewed in favor of oblique artistic expression. Basically, it is impossible to ever "figure out" this film. The characters are outlandish, the plot is all over the place, and the themes are far too frequent and passing to piece together coherently.I liken the experience to watching Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining". The visuals are nice and the content seems thought-provoking, but you'll go stark raving mad if you actually try to figure everything out. For director Spike Jonze, the overall artistic expression far outweighs a coherent narrative.Thus, if you are a fan of out-of-the-box, visually striking film-making, this will be your "Citizen Kane". If, however, like me, you prefer some sense and stability, you will be disappointed (especially with the way it is advertised).

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.