Being John Malkovich

Spike Jonze, USA, 1999, 112 minutes

You have to feel a bit sorry for Craig Schwartz. His skill as a puppeteer, trying to bring art to the people is not appreciated. His wife seems to be more interested in their pets than in him, the ceiling in his workplace is only four feet from the ground and his boss tries to confide his sleazy fantasies to him To make matters worse he fancies Maxine who does not fancy him. What if her were someone else?

This fantasy comes true when he discovers a porthole which takes him into the head of the great John Malkovich. Suddenly things seem to take a turn for the better, Maxine starts paying attention to him, they begin charging people to take turns in his head and make a profit. Nice!

However it gets just a little complicated. Lottie, Craig's wife, also falls for Maxine, Maxine falls for Lottie when she occupies Malkovich's head and Craig's boss wants them all out, for Malkovich is a vessel and when the time is right he intends to occupy Malkovich's head and thus gain an extra lifetime. But Craig takes over Malkovich and is intent on becoming the famous puppeteer that he has always wanted to be, with Maxine at his side naturally.

Confused yet? Just watch the film and all will become clear.

Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman have given us a film of striking and brilliant originality. Its twists and turns keep the viewer totally enthralled and the pace never slackens. The humour is never far from the surface, it is surreal, delightful and intelligent, never for an instant falling below the high standard it sets for itself at the beginning.

The cast is wonderful, including John Cusack, Cameron Diaz as well as Malkovich himself, you can tell they are enjoying themselves which transmits itself in their performances.

Review by Louise Oliver
Written for EUFS Programme Autumn 2005