Being John Malkovich

Starring: John Cusack, Catherine Keener, Cameron Diaz
Director: Spike Jonze

Rating: R

Studio: Screen Gems

Review Posted: 7.15.01

DVD Rating: 8/10

By Horatio Smithee

Spike Jonze may be the best music video director I've ever seen. When I heard he had directed a feature film I was excited, but cautious. How would the director of some of the most creative music videos ever (Weapon of Choice, Sabotoge) translate his unique style into the world of film-making? As soon as I saw Being John Malkovich I was convinced that Spike Jonze could do
anything.

One of the many overlooked films of 1999, Being John Malkovich was a breath of fresh air from the constant high-budget garbage being shoved down my throat. Written by Charlie Kaufman, Malkovich is the story of struggling puppeteer Craig Schwartz who discovers at his office a "portal" that puts you into the mind of actor John Malkovich for 15 minutes and then deposits you
onto a ditch next to the New Jersey turnpike.

When Craig's coworker Maxine discovers this, she immediately tries to cash in by allowing customers to be
Malkovich. Maxine is so interested by Malkovich that she tracks him down and persuades him for a date.

Craig and his wife Lotte both secretly (and some times not so secretly) want Maxine. What develops is a very strange 4-way relationship between Malkovich, Maxine, Lotte, and Craig. Filled with creative dialogue and metaphors, this film is one of the best I've ever seen.  
Spike Jonze does a wonderful job directing with some inventive and new ideas.

Furthermore, the acting is excellent. Although Catherine Keener (Maxine) got the Oscar nod, Cameron Diaz (Lotte) deserved it more. The best acting in the
movie goes to John Malkvoich, when Craig is inside of him, you can see and hear the struggle between the two actors/characters, the well spoken Malkovich and the soft-spoken Schwartz. With creative writing and inventive directing, you can't go wrong.

8 out of 10

Also read Bronco's review of "Being John Malkovich"!

Crisp and clean with little noticeable artifacts. The dark scenes look really nice.

8 out of 10

Pretty nice, especially during the scenes when someone is inside Malkovich. It sounds like it would in someone's head (see the movie to see what I mean).

8 out of 10

There are quite a few extras here.

Trailer
Standard.

TV Spots
Very Cool. Nice marketing campaign.

7 1/2 floor orientation
This is very funny. You couldn't see all of it in the movie, but here it is uncut and brilliant.

American Arts and Culture Presents: John Horatio Malkovich, Dance of Despair and Disillusionment
Its weird to see a fake documentary. Some funny parts in here. Very cool.

A page with nothing on it
Probably the most creative thing I've ever seen on a DVD. This would not have fit on any other DVD.

An Intimate Portrait of Art of Puppeteering
Eh. It's cool to see the real puppeteer...but not that interesting.

Interview with Director Spike Jonze
Wow, I don't know if this was a joke or something, but very funny.

Intimate portrait into the art of background driving
Have you ever wondered about the background drivers in a movie?? Are they paid, do they know there being filmed?? Well, watch this.

Bios, Photo Album
Standard

Well, I really would have loved a commentary, but you cant have everything.

9 out of 10

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