Being John Malkovich Review
by Bradley Null (cnull AT mindspring DOT com)October 28th, 1999
[filmcritic.com presents a review from guest writer Bradley Null. You
can find the review with full credits at
http://www.filmcritic.com/misc/emporium.nsf/2a460f93626cd4678625624c007f2b46/5bdc9b968fed6d738825681700177455?OpenDocument
The question on everybody's lips would be: Why John Malkovich?
The centerpiece of BEING JOHN MALKOVICH, in case you haven't guessed, is
a portal, which provides the unique opportunity to "be John
Malkovich." As one character, when approached with the chance,
exuberantly improvises, "Great! That was my second choice." Which
leads us right back where we started. Why John Malkovich?
You've probably guessed that BEING JOHN MALKOVICH is a bit off-center as
far as major motion pictures go. In short, the plot revolves around a
puppeteer (John Cusack) who discovers the aforementioned portal after
assuming a day job as a fileclerk, his homely wife (Cameron Diaz), the
woman he falls hopelessly in love with (Catherine Keener), and the
effects that this portal has on each of these characters, and to a
lesser degree on its host, John Horatio Malkovich (John Malkovich).
The premise isn't the only thing that is odd about this film. The
characters are odd, (a puppeteer). The casting is odd, (Cameron Diaz as
homely). The camera work is best described as claustrophobic. The
settings are disheveled. And the two major locations outside of John
Malkovich's psyche, the 7 1/2th floor of an office building, and the
Jersey Turnpike, can only make one wonder what exactly is going on here.
Maybe BEING JOHN MALKOVICH is a sociological study. Maybe it was
intended as an intelligent examination of personal identity, our
society's obsession of being somebody else, and the capitalist
instinct. More likely it flowered from an intriguing concept in the
mind of first-time screenwriter Charlie Kaufman into an intriguing
story.
There's no denying that BEING JOHN MALKOVICH is definitely a refreshing,
often hilarious story. Jonze, a unique visionary in music videos and
awards show performances up till now (see Fatboy Slim's choreography in
the 1999 MTV music awards), is without doubt the right man for this
directing job. The originality of the entire concept will delight all
of you moviegoers out there with an obsessive urge to find something
completely different. The premise, the plot, and the performances offer
plenty to think about. But don't think too long, or the despairing
logic it is all built on might collapse.
But you're still wondering: Why John Malkovich? I couldn't say.
3 stars
--
Christopher Null - cnull@mindspring.com - http://www.filmcritic.com
Author - Network Administrator's Reference, 1999 - ISBN 0-07-882588-1
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0078825881/filmcriticcom
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