When looking at Spike Jonze’s film “Being John Malkovich” it is easy to see the ideas of self, control, and larger issues are presented. The screenplay was written by Charlie Kaufman ( who also wrote the screenplay for “Adaptation“).The movie stars John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, and of course John Malkovich as himself.

This film appealed for a lot of different reasons. One, for as off beat as Charlie Kaufman’s scripts are they are hilarious and deep at the same time. How would you feel if someone found a portal into your mind? Would you even want that to happen? Or would you as a person even enter that portal? This was the dilemma for an out-of-luck puppeteer named Craig Schwartz (Cusack), who from his wife’s suggestions gets a job at an unusual office as a file clerk. However, he encounters Maxine, a coworker, and falls in love with her.  In spite of his uncontrollable obsession for her, Maxine rejects him. (more…)

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. (more…)