kira02bit Review of Being John Malkovich

Being John Malkovich (1999)

Just because you haven't seen its like before, does not make it great

[1/10 · 17 December 2002]

A prime example of just because you have not seen anything like it before, does not make it a cinematic masterpiece. Scuzzy puppeteer John Cusack and snide co-worker Catherine Keener discover a portal into the mind of actor John Malkovich (playing himself) in their bizarre office and decide to profit from it. Marketed as a comedy, the film is inventive, most definitely original, but the laughs virtually dry up after the first 40 minutes. The strange plot takes one bizarre turn after another, incorporating lesbianism, spousal abuse and cults into the mix. Events become more and more sinister, disturbing and serious during the running time. Unfortunately, the main characters, including an unrecognizable Cameron Diaz as Cusack's frumpy wife, are so odious that it becomes impossible to identify with them, and by the climax one really does not care what is done to whom. Keener is initially terrific as the reprehensible profiteer, but she is given limited notes to play. Malkovich may be a good sport, but he is a pretty dull character as envisioned here. It is hard to recall Cusack ever being this unappealing. Director Spike Jonze has definite potential, but his ambition spins out of control far too quickly on this project. Even the look of the film, with everything in drab blues and greys, is a downer. For all of the hype, the film is an amazingly empty experience.