Being John Malkovich

****

Reviewed by: Nicholas Dawson

Being John Malkovich
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Frustrated puppeteer Craig Shwartz (John Cusack) works as a filing clerk, but yearns to be famous. He sees his opportunity when he discovers a secret portal into the head of actor John Malkovich. He hopes this discovery will win him the heart of sexy work-mate Maxine (Catherine Keener), however, she seems more interested in Craig's rather plain, pet-shop-owner wife, Lottie (Cameron Diaz).

This wonderful, highly original film is the first effort of both writer Charlie Kaufman, and director Spike Jonze, already famed for his pop promos. Kaufman's dazzlingly fresh script takes us into a world filled with weird characters in bizarre situations.

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Cusack is his own entertaining self, Keener smoulders seductively, and Diaz proves that she is still watchable when not completely gorgeous. There are also enjoyably self-parodying cameos from Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Charlie Sheen, while John Malkovich - without whose co-operation the film would have been impossible - is excellent as many different versions of himself in the largest cameo ever. His John Cusack impression is particularly impressive.

Reviewed on: 19 Jan 2001
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Being John Malkovich packshot
"New York City, a puppeteer, a tragic marriage, a chimp, a boss, a receptionist, another woman, an actor, the New Jersey Turnpike, and a plate of lasagne." - Spike Jonze
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Read more Being John Malkovich reviews:

Angus Wolfe Murray ****

Director: Spike Jonze

Writer: Charlie Kaufman

Starring: John Malkovich, John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, Ned Bellamy

Year: 1999

Runtime: 112 minutes

BBFC: 15 - Age Restricted

Country: US

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