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Being John Malkovich

  • 1999
  • R
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
362K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,495
298
John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, and Catherine Keener in Being John Malkovich (1999)
A puppeteer discovers a portal that leads literally into the head of movie star John Malkovich.
Play trailer1:47
3 Videos
99+ Photos
Body Swap ComedyHigh-Concept ComedyPsychological DramaSatireShowbiz DramaSupernatural FantasyComedyDramaFantasy

A puppeteer discovers a portal that leads literally into the head of movie star John Malkovich.A puppeteer discovers a portal that leads literally into the head of movie star John Malkovich.A puppeteer discovers a portal that leads literally into the head of movie star John Malkovich.

  • Director
    • Spike Jonze
  • Writer
    • Charlie Kaufman
  • Stars
    • John Cusack
    • Cameron Diaz
    • Catherine Keener
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    362K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,495
    298
    • Director
      • Spike Jonze
    • Writer
      • Charlie Kaufman
    • Stars
      • John Cusack
      • Cameron Diaz
      • Catherine Keener
    • 948User reviews
    • 217Critic reviews
    • 90Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 49 wins & 79 nominations total

    Videos3

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:47
    Official Trailer
    Being John Malkovich
    Trailer 0:32
    Being John Malkovich
    Being John Malkovich
    Trailer 0:32
    Being John Malkovich
    'Being John Malkovich' | Anniversary Mashup
    Clip 1:35
    'Being John Malkovich' | Anniversary Mashup

    Photos164

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    + 158
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    Top cast79

    Edit
    John Cusack
    John Cusack
    • Craig Schwartz
    Cameron Diaz
    Cameron Diaz
    • Lotte Schwartz
    Catherine Keener
    Catherine Keener
    • Maxine Lund
    John Malkovich
    John Malkovich
    • John Horatio Malkovich
    Ned Bellamy
    Ned Bellamy
    • Derek Mantini
    Eric Weinstein
    • Father at Puppet Show
    Madison Lanc
    • Daughter at Puppet Show
    Octavia Spencer
    Octavia Spencer
    • Woman in Elevator
    • (as Octavia L. Spencer)
    Mary Kay Place
    Mary Kay Place
    • Floris
    Orson Bean
    Orson Bean
    • Dr. Lester
    K.K. Dodds
    K.K. Dodds
    • Wendy
    Reginald C. Hayes
    Reginald C. Hayes
    • Don
    • (as Reggie Hayes)
    Byrne Piven
    Byrne Piven
    • Captain Mertin
    Judith Wetzell
    • Tiny Woman
    Kevin Carroll
    Kevin Carroll
    • Cab Driver
    Willie Garson
    Willie Garson
    • Guy in Restaurant
    W. Earl Brown
    W. Earl Brown
    • First J.M. Inc. Customer
    Charlie Sheen
    Charlie Sheen
    • Charlie
    • Director
      • Spike Jonze
    • Writer
      • Charlie Kaufman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      John Malkovich was approached about this film several times and loved the script, but he and his production crew felt that another actor would fit the role better. Malkovich offered to help produce the film, and aid Spike Jonze in any way, but refused to star in it. Eventually after a couple of years Malkovich's will was worn down and he agreed to star in the film.
    • Goofs
      Just after the first time Lotte falls out of the portal onto the side of the New Jersey Turnpike, a palm tree is visible in the distance over Craig's shoulder.
    • Quotes

      Craig Schwartz: You don't know how lucky you are being a monkey. Because consciousness is a terrible curse. I think. I feel. I suffer. And all I ask in return is the opportunity to do my work. And they won't allow it... because I raise issues.

    • Crazy credits
      at the end of the cast listing is noted ...and John Malkovich
    • Connections
      Edited from 1998 MTV Video Music Awards (1998)
    • Soundtracks
      Allegro, from Music for Strings
      Written by Béla Bartók

      Performed by The Cleveland Orchestra

      Conducted by Christoph von Dohnányi

      Courtesy of The Decca Record Company Ltd.

      Under license from Universal Music Special Markets

    User reviews948

    Featured review
    8/10

    'Consciousness is a terrible curse'...

    ... but without it you'd be unconscious or you wouldn't be you, or are you, you? Exploring identity, appearance, choice and fame in the most original and entertaining of ways, this esoterically amusing vision of what makes us who we are manages to keep you engaged and amused while encouraging a little self reflection upon completion - that is if it is you doing the reflecting, pulling your own strings, grinding your own organ, dancing to your own tune.
    • Xstal
    • Sep 14, 2020
    • Permalink

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    FAQ21

    • How long is Being John Malkovich?Powered by Alexa
    • Why John Malkovich?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 3, 1999 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • ¿Quieres ser John Malkovich?
    • Filming locations
      • RMS Queen Mary - 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Astralwerks
      • Gramercy Pictures (I)
      • Propaganda Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $13,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $22,863,596
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $637,721
      • Oct 31, 1999
    • Gross worldwide
      • $23,106,795
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 53 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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