Movie No. 86 (2014): BEING JOHN MALKOVICH

Being John Malkovich (1999)
Director: Spike Jonze
Cast: John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, John Malkovich

I saw this film last week on My Movie Channel. That's, I guess, the third time I saw it. This film, I guess, is one of those films that gets better during repeat watching, which is an indication the films is really good. In fact, it's one of the greatest films ever made, in my humble opinion.

The basic plot is simple, yet interesting and very original: A puppeteer, who ends up working as file clerk in a low-ceiling office in the 7.5th floor (yes, 7 1/2), discovers a portal that leads to the mind of actor John Malkovich. Anyone who enters that small door experiences to see the world on John Malkovich's point of view for fifteen minutes before being ejected and dropped into a ditch in New Jersey turnpike. After having experienced it, the puppeteer sees a money-making opportunity; he then lets others experience it for a fee. Different experiences make the story more interesting and the movie clever and mind-boggling. For example, the puppeteer's wife uses the portal to realize her homosexual or transgender fantasies while she's inside John Malkovich's head at the moment John Malokovich is having sex with a woman the puppeteer's wife desires. And then there's the puppeteer discovering how to stay longer in the portal and in fact makes it for months. And what if John Malkovich himself enters the portal? Brilliant!

Very original, the movie's script is almost without flaw. The direction and editing are simply awesome. The performances are competent. 

I will watch it again someday.

Rating: 4.0/4.0

Date seen: November 23, 2014