Being John Malkovich- film review by Muhammad Patel

Cast: John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener and John Malkovich
Director: Spike Jonze
Screenplay: Charlie Kaufman
Rating: 3/5

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The story follows a struggling puppeteer who decides to take a job as a filing clerk in order to make some money. While working he stumbles on a hidden door which acts as a portal leading into the mind of the actor John Malkovich (played by John Malkovich)! For 15 minutes he enjoys a mind bending experience which ultimately gives John Malkovich a big head ache.

The main character is played by John Cusack who portrays Craig Schwartz as a straggly haired, puppeteer who has to watch his wife slowly fall in love with the woman he is lusting after. Craig uses his puppeteering as a way to escape the harsh realities of his life, he desperately wants to feel like he is inside someone else’s body and even if it is just for 15 minutes he wants to be that person.


The three main co-stars are played wonderfully, all offering their talents making their characters mesmerising and obscure. However I felt the characters and the plot become too surreal. The film starts out as a novelty but rapidly descends into insanity which at parts lost my attention.

Overall, the film is unique and in a way makes me wish I could escape into the mind of a great actor however I felt the film dragged on and ultimately left me with a sense of confusion and disorientation.

By Muhammad Patel