Rent Being John Malkovich on Amazon Video (paid link)
Written by: Charlie Kaufman
Directed by: Spike Jonze
Starring: John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, Octavia Spencer, John Malkovich, Charlie Sheen
Rated: R
Watch the trailer
Plot
A puppeteer discovers a portal that leads literally into the head of movie star John Malkovich.
Verdict
Are there any movies with such a unique concept? It's such a strange movie, but in universe the concept completely works. So many characters have this underlying desire to be someone else, hoping it will bring them fame, fortune, and affection. Formidable actor John Malkovich offers that opportunity. The story goes so much deeper than that. It's one thing to craft a ridiculous story, but this manages to make it feel grounded in context. All of these characters are after something, and in this story they think they've found it.
Watch It.
Review
John Malkovich was a well regarded actor with two Oscar nominations before this movie, though he wasn't considered A-list. This movie's plot hinges on Malkovich being recognizable but not a house hold name.
Puppeteer Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) has few prospects despite seeming quite skilled. The problem is that no one is looking for a puppeteer even if his ability borders on magical. He applies for a job on floor 7 1/2 in an office building. If you're wondering what floor that is, it's much like it's described, a half floor. The elevator has to stop mid-floor, and the ceiling is painfully low. Everyone has to walk stooped over due to the low ceiling. The receptionist misunderstands everything Craig says, but he manages to get an interview with boss Lester and a job anyway. The interview is odd, that and the very floor. At least rent is cheap.
Craig is interested in Maxine (Catherine Keener), a woman that works on the same floor. She doesn't seem to care for him, and he has to know he doesn't have a shot even if he wasn't married. She leads him on just enough.
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| John Cusack plays Craig |
With how strange the movie already is, a small door behind a filing cabinet doesn't seem so out of place. Despite reservations, Craig crawls through the door into some kind of cave that ends up being a portal. He ends up inside actor John Malkovich's head. Craig experiences the world from John's perspective for fifteen minutes. he tells Maxine, and they decide to monetize the experience.
Craig's wife Lotte (Cameron Diaz) enters the portal, and the experience of being a man severely alters her perception. She liked the feeling, craving to enter Malkovich's mind again. Craig and Lotte have dinner with Lester where she discovers a room devoted to Malkovich. That can't be just a coincidence.
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| John Cusack, Catherine Keener, Cameron Diaz play Craig, Maxine, Lotte |
A strange love triangle develops. Craig likes Maxine, but she doesn't like him. Lotte likes Maxine. Maxine likes Lotte but only when she is in Malkovich. Then there's the fact that Craig and Lotte are married. Forsaken by both women, Craig devises a plan to control the situation. Due to his puppeteering skills, Craig discovers he can exert some measure of control. Through Malkovich's influence, Craig as John becomes a world renowned puppeteer. He even marries Maxine.
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| Catherine Keener, John Malkovich play Maxine, John Malkovich |
This is a wild movie, and the answers are even more intriguing. I can't help but admire the creativity. Everyone plays into this facade. A puppeteer moves from dolls to humans with Malkovich as the unwitting pawn. Craig and Lotte both want to be someone else while Maxine wants to be with someone else. They all get that chance. The entire business model for Craig and Maxine's side gig is that all of these people want to be someone else, even if just for a few minutes.
The whole experience changes everyone involved. It's not necessarily the end as the portal remain open. Someone else could stumble into the portal, though they might not enter the mind of someone as prominent as John Malkovich.
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