Director: Spike Jonze
Genre: Drama
Year: 1999
Screenwriter: Charlie Kaufman
Starring: John Malkovich, John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener
Plot: A puppeteer discovers a portal that leads literally into the head of the movie star, John Malkovich.
IMDb: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0120601/ 7.8
My Rating: 6
Genre: Drama
Year: 1999
Screenwriter: Charlie Kaufman
Starring: John Malkovich, John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener
Plot: A puppeteer discovers a portal that leads literally into the head of the movie star, John Malkovich.
IMDb: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0120601/ 7.8
My Rating: 6
I am not the biggest fan of Charlie Kaufman writing, whereas most people will find his weirdness something brilliant and unique I simply find it confusing. There's no point explaining the plot as it simply doesn't make sense. You really have to see it for yourself to apreciate the weirdness, weather you will enjoy it I can't really tell you.
One thing I must warn you though, is that in spite of being sold as a comedy this movie has pretty much nothing funny about it (well to be honest there are a few gags but not nearly enough to label it as a comedy). If anything it is an anti-comedy as there is a sense of dread and desperation all throughout the movie. I felt unconfortable watching it most of the time and in the end it is rather depressing.
Two good things about the movie is the acting which is very good especially by John Malkovich playing himself and by the always brilliant John Cusack, who I believe will never do wrong despite how rediculous his roles might get. Also the very last shot is really moving and it's a brilliant touch, it made the movie worthwhile.
In comparision with other Kaufman writen movies I have seen I consider this as good as Adaptation (which is a little bit less confusing) but not nearly as good as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I know I moaned about Being John Malkovich being confusing and I know Eternal Sunshine is even more but there is just something else to that movie that I really can't put on paper.
In the end I can't really recommend it but I wouldn't advise you not to see it. Best thing to do is watch it for yourself, if you're in the mood and willing to let go of all the plot holes you might actually enjoy it quite a lot. I myself might give it another try sometime later on in my life but for now this is where I stand.
One thing I must warn you though, is that in spite of being sold as a comedy this movie has pretty much nothing funny about it (well to be honest there are a few gags but not nearly enough to label it as a comedy). If anything it is an anti-comedy as there is a sense of dread and desperation all throughout the movie. I felt unconfortable watching it most of the time and in the end it is rather depressing.
Two good things about the movie is the acting which is very good especially by John Malkovich playing himself and by the always brilliant John Cusack, who I believe will never do wrong despite how rediculous his roles might get. Also the very last shot is really moving and it's a brilliant touch, it made the movie worthwhile.
In comparision with other Kaufman writen movies I have seen I consider this as good as Adaptation (which is a little bit less confusing) but not nearly as good as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I know I moaned about Being John Malkovich being confusing and I know Eternal Sunshine is even more but there is just something else to that movie that I really can't put on paper.
In the end I can't really recommend it but I wouldn't advise you not to see it. Best thing to do is watch it for yourself, if you're in the mood and willing to let go of all the plot holes you might actually enjoy it quite a lot. I myself might give it another try sometime later on in my life but for now this is where I stand.
Trailer:
No comments:
Post a Comment