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IMDbPro

Being John Malkovich

  • 19991999
  • RR
  • 1h 53m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
332K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,040
246
John Malkovich in Being John Malkovich (1999)
Home Video Trailer from Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Play trailer0:32
2 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Comedy
  • Drama
  • Fantasy
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.
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
332K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,040
246
  • Director
    • Spike Jonze
  • Writer
    • Charlie Kaufman
  • Stars
    • John Cusack
    • Cameron Diaz
    • Catherine Keener
Top credits
  • Director
    • Spike Jonze
  • Writer
    • Charlie Kaufman
  • Stars
    • John Cusack
    • Cameron Diaz
    • Catherine Keener
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 924User reviews
    • 254Critic reviews
    • 90Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 3 Oscars
      • 48 wins & 79 nominations total

    Videos2

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

    Photos115

    Cameron Diaz and Orson Bean in Being John Malkovich (1999)
    John Malkovich and Catherine Keener in Being John Malkovich (1999)
    Cameron Diaz in Being John Malkovich (1999)
    John Cusack and Catherine Keener in Being John Malkovich (1999)
    Cameron Diaz in Being John Malkovich (1999)
    John Cusack in Being John Malkovich (1999)
    Catherine Keener in Being John Malkovich (1999)
    John Malkovich in Being John Malkovich (1999)
    Cameron Diaz and Orson Bean in Being John Malkovich (1999)
    John Cusack and Catherine Keener in Being John Malkovich (1999)
    John Cusack in Being John Malkovich (1999)
    John Malkovich and Catherine Keener in Being John Malkovich (1999)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Cusack
    John Cusack
    • Craig Schwartzas Craig Schwartz
    Cameron Diaz
    Cameron Diaz
    • Lotte Schwartzas Lotte Schwartz
    Catherine Keener
    Catherine Keener
    • Maxine Lundas Maxine Lund
    John Malkovich
    John Malkovich
    • John Horatio Malkovichas John Horatio Malkovich
    Ned Bellamy
    Ned Bellamy
    • Derek Mantinias Derek Mantini
    Eric Weinstein
    Eric Weinstein
    • Father at Puppet Showas Father at Puppet Show
    Madison Lanc
    • Daughter at Puppet Showas Daughter at Puppet Show
    Octavia Spencer
    Octavia Spencer
    • Woman in Elevatoras Woman in Elevator
    • (as Octavia L. Spencer)
    Mary Kay Place
    Mary Kay Place
    • Florisas Floris
    Orson Bean
    Orson Bean
    • Dr. Lesteras Dr. Lester
    K.K. Dodds
    K.K. Dodds
    • Wendyas Wendy
    Reginald C. Hayes
    Reginald C. Hayes
    • Donas Don
    • (as Reggie Hayes)
    Byrne Piven
    Byrne Piven
    • Captain Mertinas Captain Mertin
    Judith Wetzell
    • Tiny Womanas Tiny Woman
    Kevin Carroll
    Kevin Carroll
    • Cab Driveras Cab Driver
    Willie Garson
    Willie Garson
    • Guy in Restaurantas Guy in Restaurant
    W. Earl Brown
    W. Earl Brown
    • First J.M. Inc. Customeras First J.M. Inc. Customer
    Charlie Sheen
    Charlie Sheen
    • Charlieas Charlie
    • Director
      • Spike Jonze
    • Writer
      • Charlie Kaufman
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details 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
      When Craig and Dr. Lester are in the restaurant, two orange Los Angeles MTA buses pass by.
    • 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 reviews924

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    One of the most unique, imaginative movies ever made. **** out of ****
    BEING JOHN MALKOVICH (1999) ****

    Starring: John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Orson Bean, Catherine Keener, John Malkovich, and Charlie Sheen Director: Spike Jonze Running Time: 113 minutes Rated R (for sexuality and language)

    By Blake French:

    It is not every day that I use words in my movie reviews such as unique, creative, inventive, imaginative, original, fresh, mesmerizing, and unmatched. Under the circumstances of "Being John Malkovich," a wonderfully hilarious presentation of an incomprehensible idea, I find myself using every one of those phrases and then some more being deserved. Everything about it is labyrinthine, intriguing, and very funny. It is one of the years best films, and should be well presented come Academy Award time.

    "Being John Malkovich" details the relationship between Craig and Lotte Schwartz. They basically live an old fashioned life in a small apartment with a miniature zoo of pets and a puppet factory inside. Lotte is a typical, unattractive homemaker while Craig holds that unusual occupation of being a professional puppeteer. Desperately searching for employment, Craig soon visits a business for an interview as a filer when he discovers for some odd reason the construction of the office floor is all but several feet tall, forcing all employees to bend over backwards just to walk around.

    One of those employees is named Maxine, a highly seductive co-worker of Craig's. When he asks her out for a beer one night, Craig experiences lustful thoughts about her, and nearly begins an affair as his seemingly loving wife wonders around her happy little apartment all by herself.

    As you can see, the household isn't exactly a joyful situation. All things change, from blossoming sexual confusion to inner self-esteem, when Craig uncovers a small door behind a filing cabinet in his office. It is tucked away, hidden acutely well in a dark corner, which is found mysteriously by accident when Craig droops a paper behind the cabinet. After Craig explores this deep miniature, seemingly endless hallway, he discovers this secret door leads to the brain of actor John Malkovich for fifteen minutes, then spits you out along the roadside afterwards.

    Wow, sounds like "Alice in Wonderland," doesn't it...well, sort of. Craig first tells his co-worker about his discovery, who continues to think he's nuts. Then, after explaining and showing this portal to his wife, who is hysterical, Maxine begins to believe Craig, and concoct a devilish idea. To sell tickets allowing a pedestrian to enter the mind of a famous celebrity. The tagline: Ever wanted to be someone else? Now you can.

    It is very intriguing how the narrative point of view is juggled between Craig and then Lotte after the problem is introduced and then solved: the couples dead-end lives are lifted in glory. This creates a second conflict moving us smoothly into the second act. Perfect internal problems are created with the two female leads; Lotte and Maxine find themselves physically attracted to each other in unbelievable character twists. The two end up having a femininity sexual relationship while one is entrapped in the mind of Malkovich, and the other experiences the actual Malkovich. It is a beautifully crafted structure, with act breaks so clear and complications so faultless it is no wonder while this is such an effective picture.

    Also first rate here are the performances. Although the film offers strange types of roles for these actors to indulge themselves in, they do a wonderfully energetic job. Cameron Diaz is flawlessly cast as Craig's sexually and mentally uncoordinated wife, and delivers us a comically riotous character. John Cusack as Craig himself is superior and believable as a down on his luck puppeteer, and possesses a perfect blend of humor and unpredictable qualities with his character. Also quite good here, John Malkovich, who has much more of a difficult role than one would think. He has some hard scenes where Craig controls him while inside his mind, which requires great skill to perform.

    However, better than any performance, and more amazing then any flawless characters or plot, is the concept of a human being thinking up such an absurd idea as the imagination behind the beauty of "Being John Malkovich." With such a penetrating, magical atmosphere to it, it is kind of a shame that the filmmakers created this film in the form of a black comedy instead of something more harrowing. Although comedy is simply the most logical choice to categorize this type of film, wouldn't it have been interesting to see this movie as a drama, or perhaps as a spiritual awakening picture.

    Regardless, the film still has an oddly powerful message to it, which I will not, nor do I ever directly reveal in any of my reviews. You see, since different individuals come from different backgrounds, and thus see things differently. It is because of this that I do not allow my personal take on a message persuade another filmgoer whose idea of a moral may be much different than my own. But I will say that "Being John Malkovich" might not overtake the box office, but for appreciative movie patrons, this one is sure to be treasured for a long time to come.

    Brought to you by Gramercy Pictures.
    helpful•167
    75
    • Movie-12
    • Nov 28, 1999

    FAQ3

    • Why John Malkovich?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 3, 1999 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Thử Làm 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
      • $23,106,667
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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

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