Who hasn't at one time or another wanted to be someone else? For that matter, who hasn't at one time or another wanted to be John Malkovich (I can't be the only one)? Fortunately, there is a door you can walk through in order to accomplish the latter.
Another mind bending, darkly funny, and emotionally insightful drama written by Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). A door into the mind of John Malkovich which allows participants to enter and see out the eyes of the actor for fifteen minutes before dropping them on the side of the turnpike, is discovered by puppeteer, Craig (John Cusack). Unbeknownst to him, Malkovich becomes a money scheme to Craig and his lover interest Maxine (Katherine Keener). He also becomes a puppet in Craig's wife's, Lotte (Cameron Diaz), affair with Maxine. The love triangle eventually leads to conflict among the three characters and posses Malkovich's mind (and body).
The cast is full of actors and actresses that you may be familiar with yet I doubt you have ever seen them in such a light as that of Being John Malkovich. Rater than showing the beautiful of the cast we see a disheveled wardrobe and makeup combo, to this day I have a hard time believing it is John Cusack and Cameron Diaz. This is done so masterfully and captures the essence of the characters in a way that even if you muted the dialogue you could fully understand what the characters are like.
I especially commemorate the use of first person camera techniques that give the viewer the feeling that they are possessing John Malkovich. The sets were also intriguing, the office where Craig works, and where the door to Malkovich's head is, has such a low ceiling that the cast needs to quite literally crouch through the halls. If not such a funny and well done film I'd classify it as ridiculous, yet this is not the case.
The use of dark contrasting colors and shadowing is also an important technique that this film effectively utilizes. I cannot remember one scene that uses bright colors and I am not at all upset by this fact. The entire movie takes place in doors in poorly lighted areas, with the exception of the interstate and the restaurant which both take place at night. I am not criticizing the lighting department, quite the contrary, I admire the ability of the lighting to set the mood of every scene. For instance, even the poor florescent lighting in the office creates a familiar atmosphere of a boring redundant job. Even the tunnel into Malkovich's head is perfectly lit. While you would expect a light at the end of the tunnel, you instead get a dark passage which builds suspense every time you see a character enter.
The use of dark contrasting colors and shadowing is also an important technique that this film effectively utilizes. I cannot remember one scene that uses bright colors and I am not at all upset by this fact. The entire movie takes place in doors in poorly lighted areas, with the exception of the interstate and the restaurant which both take place at night. I am not criticizing the lighting department, quite the contrary, I admire the ability of the lighting to set the mood of every scene. For instance, even the poor florescent lighting in the office creates a familiar atmosphere of a boring redundant job. Even the tunnel into Malkovich's head is perfectly lit. While you would expect a light at the end of the tunnel, you instead get a dark passage which builds suspense every time you see a character enter.
I was not wuite sure how the plot could unfold had Malkovich discovered this doorway, however the scene that ensues is all I could need and want , Malkovich inside Malkovich. Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich. Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich? Malkovich. Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich. Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich! Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich, Malkovich. Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich? Malkovich Malkovich. Since I do not wish to spoil the scene which I believe one should see for themselves that is all I can say. Malkovich.
The dark comedy in this film also had me laughing out loud, from the creepy puppets that Craig plays with to the scene of Malkovich inside Malkovich. It is trippy, unique, and interesting.
Overall Review: Watch!
(Did I mention there's an adorable monkey?)
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