Indie Classic: Being John Malkovich
Imagine a jigsaw puzzle, that the more pieces you put together the harder it gets. That is my explanation of John Malkovich, and it is indeed a true classic. Stacked with a cast full of huge stars, it prior to watching it seemed almost impossible to fail. The best way to describe being John Malkovich is to think of it as jigsaw puzzle outside the box. Nothing is constricted, and it is clear that the director wants us all to keep an open mind to all possibilities.
The movie itself is something out of the ordinary, because the director seems to have to concern for breaking the barrier. Constantly the film is changing directions, and if you are the one who likes to constantly guess the outcome, than this movie is all you can handle. The film uses visual cues to play games with your mind. John Cusack does an excellent job in the movie representing the unemployed stressful aged man. While there is a strong comedic aspect to the film it has some dramatic aspects as well. Cusack is certainly not the only A list star cast in this movie, as Cameron Diaz plays an integral role cast as Lotee Schwartz.
So the question is what does John Malkovich bring to the table that many of the other indie films do not. The plot itself is very clever, more than anything I had ever experienced, and even though it is almost ludicrous (a closet being a portal) there is something to enticing about the film, that makes you want to sit through it keep guessing and watch it again.
In my eyes there is a distinct reason that this film, was on INDIES 50 most influential films, and it is without a doubt, for its intellect and creativity. Overall I would recommend this film to anyone who wants a good thriller, with some comedic aspects. Some may even go so far as to describe it as fantasy. No matter what your genre is Being John Malkovich is a definite must watch.
Tags: Alex McDonald, Being John Malkovich, Cameron Diaz, John Cusack, John Malkovich, Spike Jonze