The People's Review of Being John Malkovich
Paul
Rodgers
score = 100
Being John Malkovich is the greatest film I have ever seen. It is a work of
pure,crazed genius.A modern masterpiece.My God!How did anyone come up with
the idea for it?
Cusack is his usual brilliant self,Cameron Diaz shows that she`s not just a
pretty face. But it is Malkovich himself who steals the show playing a crazy
version of himself!
Bob
score = 100
Throw away all the standard movie template that standard Hollywood films
offer. This film takes you on a strange ride, and you never know what'll
happen next.
The cast works so well that you easily overlook the fact that they're
actors. They become the people they portray in the film.
Unknown12
score = 90
I thought this move was great!! i've been a fan of Malkovich since Con-Air;
and since have seen every Malkovich movie i could get my hands on.(And
working in a video store, that wasnt hard!) One reason this movie was so
great was its originality. This is uncharted territory. To find a portal
into someone else's brain!! ive never seen that idea anywhere before. And
who better to have a "brain portal" than John Malkovich?!
Definately check this flick out!!
Me!
score = 90
I loved this movie. It was weird, but not over-the-top. It made me think.
Not because it raised "disturbing" questions or anything like
that, but simply because it was an interesting idea portrayed in a way that
kept you wondering "what if...". Both the originality of the
script and the quality of the videography make this an extremely interesting
and entertaining movie.
Sarah-Jane
Fietz
score = 100
It was almost
perfect. In fact, maybe it was. A terric conversation starter as well.I could
(and do) talk about the picture for hours. Anyone who can appreciate the humor of
Steven Wright would definitly appreciate this film. I can't wait to experience Being John
Malkovitch again.
ralphie
score = 80
Sometimes
hilarious. Almost deserved a 90, except that it did end up indulging in a bit too much
"I saw you at Elaine's" New York provincialism, and lost a bit of its direction
towards the end. But how can you argue with a film that features a bird named
"Orrinhatch"?
elena
score = 90
One of the best
ensemble pieces Ive seen in a long time. It's great to see actors having fun!
dan
score = 100
A totally bizarre avant-pop fantasy. I wanted to see more of John Cusack but the
disappointment was minor compared to the twists in the plot.
lusty1
score = 100
This film is a must see for those of you who like the unusual. I haven't laughed this hard
in a long, long time. John Cusack was incredible in his role as the puppeteer, as well as
John Malkovich's role as his subconsious self. Those of you without a really good
sense of humor, don't bother going..you just won't get it. Going to see it again.
Reeve
score = 100
One of the most thought provoking movies of all-time. Touches on themes relating to
Freud with amazing twists and originality. If you didn't like this movie, then maybe
you didn't get it.
clarkkent
score = 100
This movie was awesome. It was the most original movie I have seen in a long time
and well done too. If this movie doesn't intrige or disturb you something is wrong.
val
score = 90
Terrific, innovative movie. Very clever and lots of fun. Plot became a bit too
dark for me at the end, but a very entertaining movie. Wonderful acting by all.
Mark
Hager
score = 100
Outstanding! One of the most inventive movies of the year. The ending is kind of sudden
and contrived, but the whole thing is a satisfying ride.
Carol
score = 100
A film about the search for control in our lives. Have you ever asked yourself: How much
easier would life be if I were someone else? Would a new face, a new body make people take
me more seriously?
curlee
score = 100
I have been profoundly touched by this movie as none I have seen in a long long time.
Kept me spellbound and thinking the entire two hours. Geniously cast..and who is
Catherine Keeners (sp?) She is enchanting.
Rhonda
Stanfield
score = 90
Well, other than the fact that I'm a fan of John Malkovich and he can do no wrong on film,
I found the movie a pleasant surprise in that I was entertained until the very end by this
funny, thought-provoking, and definitely absurd look at people with lives gone wrong who'd
leap at the chance to be someone like Malkovich. Great stuff! Can't remember
the last time I saw something that surreal with so many top names. There may be hope
for the movies after all!
Greg
This movie was THE weirdest and only likable "weird" movies I've
ever seen. It was intense, full of surprises and cool as hell.
Loved it!!
skiptracer
score = 90
Beautifully done, exceedingly funny and so clever it blows your mind. I
didn't even recognise Cameron Diaz. I'm still laughing about that 7 1/2th
floor.
Justin
Kane
score = 70
I got the impression that this movie was created with the INTENTION of
coming across as artistic, profound, witty, and all those other things a
"breakthrough" movie is supposed to be like. . It is as if
the creators were straining themselves to be inventive and original. Its
particular brand of humor relies heavily on our recognition of the strkingly
absurd and unexpected. The freefall onto the New Jersey Turnpike is a
typical moment of such "humor". which gradually grows tiresome and
a bit like a smug game of self-smarts appreciation. Granted, it indeed is a
fresh change from predictable run-of-the-mill Hollywood movies. But what,
other than this pretentious art-flavored novelty and cleverness, is there to
appreciate? The philosophical subtext beneath the comedic plot has no depth
or clarity whatsoever. What are we supposed to get from this crazy idea,
Being John Malkovich? The idea that one could see the world through anothers
eyes yet without empathy, without being able to perceive as he perceives---
is not grounds for philosophical pondering nor of much merriment. Lets
not confuse this idea with the more genuinely subversive idea that a person
can break through his own ego and see the world as another sees it thus
close the chasm which separates us from the Other. What is the
greatest flaw about this movie is that it creates so many airs of special
insight where there are none and casts the character's repugnant behaviors
in such a light, comic manner that we are distracted from seeing , if
any even exists, whatever thing is to be learned from Being John Malkovich.
Scott
score = 30
It was a great movie for the first 30 minutes but then after that it went
down hill.
W.
Martin
score = 100
A brilliant movie. And probably the most brilliant reading ever of Kleist's
"On the Marionette Theatre"
Arianna
score = 100
This movie was serious genius! I laughed, I shuddered in horror, I laughed
again. Any movie that can provoke such strong emotions deserves a perfect
100!
Hugh
score = 100
Spike Jonze is the new face of filmmakers. I rank him with P.T.
Anderson and Wes Anderson as the new guard of Hollywood or anti-Hollywood.
This movie is great and is a must see.
Nick
score = 100
One of the most creative movies I`ve seen Malkovitch is superb Loved it!
Hollywood needs to make more movies like that
J.P.
DuQuette
score
= 100
Dark
and hilarious. Well-acted, amazingly witty, profound without being
preachy and above all original, this is the best movie I've seen in a very
long time. Monty Python with a heart.
For
more reviews click here |
A puppeteer (Cusack) finds a door in his office that allows him to enter the
mind of and literally become the famous actor, John Malkovich for 15 minutes. Entrepreneur
Cusack and his counterparts try to use this experience in a money making venture, but
finds himself with a choice between a life of fantasy and deception, or reality and truth.
-- © 1999 Gramercy Pictures 
