“Being John Malkovich” is an off-beat fantasy comedy picture about a puppeteer who stumbles upon a portal that leads directly into the mind of actor John Malkovich. Director Spike Jonze and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, both making their big screen debut, created a film that is fresh, original, and very entertaining. It is sprinkled with laughs from start to finish.
The cast came through with some dandy performances, leading off with John Cusack as the puppeteer, Cameron Diaz as his wife, and John Malkovich as himself. The supporting cast includes Catherine Keener, Orson Bean, Mark Kay Place, W. Earl Brown, Willie Garson, Octavia Spencer, Carlos Jacott, Bryne Pivon, and Charlie Sheen, also appearing as himself. There are cameo appearances by Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Winona Ryder, Andy Dick, Spike Jonze, and members of the pop group Hanson.
The watchable “Being John Malkovich” was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress (Keener). It was a modest hit at the box office for Gramercy Pictures, Propaganda Films, Single Cell Pictures, USA Films, and Universal Pictures.
Being John Malkovich (1999)
cinema
My Review
“Being John Malkovich” is an off-beat fantasy comedy picture about a puppeteer who stumbles upon a portal that leads directly into the mind of actor John Malkovich. Director Spike Jonze and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, both making their big screen debut, created a film that is fresh, original, and very entertaining. It is sprinkled with laughs from start to finish.
The cast came through with some dandy performances, leading off with John Cusack as the puppeteer, Cameron Diaz as his wife, and John Malkovich as himself. The supporting cast includes Catherine Keener, Orson Bean, Mark Kay Place, W. Earl Brown, Willie Garson, Octavia Spencer, Carlos Jacott, Bryne Pivon, and Charlie Sheen, also appearing as himself. There are cameo appearances by Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, Winona Ryder, Andy Dick, Spike Jonze, and members of the pop group Hanson.
The watchable “Being John Malkovich” was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress (Keener). It was a modest hit at the box office for Gramercy Pictures, Propaganda Films, Single Cell Pictures, USA Films, and Universal Pictures.