Being John Malkovich

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Being John Malkovich

R

Released Oct 29, 1999

1h 52m

Comedy

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94%

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136 Reviews

87%

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250,000+ Ratings

In this quirky cult-favorite comedy, unemployed New York City puppeteer Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) reluctantly takes a temp job as a filing clerk for the eccentric Dr. Lester (Orson Bean). While at work, Craig discovers a portal that leads into the mind of renowned actor John Malkovich. When he lets his attractive co-worker Maxine (Catherine Keener) in on the secret, they begin both an unusual business scheme and an odd relationship that involves Craig's restless wife, Lotte (Cameron Diaz).

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Critics Consensus

Smart, funny, and highly original, Being John Malkovich supports its wild premise with skillful direction and a stellar ensemble cast.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

Kaufman and Jonze steer us through a truly twisted psychological and existential swamp.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 30, 2019

Full Review

David Germain

Associated Press

Fabulously funny and delightfully disturbed, "Being John Malkovich'' is the ultimate voyeur movie, a dark and at times malevolent take on what it's like to be in someone else's skull, looking out.

Jun 12, 2018

Full Review

Chris Chang

Film Comment Magazine

The beauty of the film is the way it elevates John Malkovich from an actor to an axiom.

Mar 22, 2018

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

The fact that it manages to carry its open-mouthed audience through every awesomely enigmatic turn is its greatest accomplishment.

Rated: 5/5

Jun 7, 2024

Full Review

Chuck Klosterman

Akron Beacon Journal

It sometimes seems like there is more legitimate creativity in [Malkovich] than there's been in almost every other movie released this year. The script is completely insane and consistently brilliant, and it's funny on almost every level imaginable.

Rated: 4/4

Oct 30, 2023

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

... a devastatingly funny portrait of unhappiness, desperation, desire, and the vicious things we do for love...

Apr 8, 2023

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g j

Simply one of the finest and most ambitiously realised films ever made.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

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Isabel C

This movie is total trash. Seriously one of the worst movies I've ever seen... Never been so angry and dissapointed in a movie before.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/25

Full Review

David H

I loved this film when I first saw it. It doesn't hold up quite as well as I had hoped now that I've watched it again 20 years later, but Cusack is still great. I still love the concept of the film. What a unique and original idea!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/25/25

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Mason M

Definitely one of the most unique films ever made, Being John Malkovich is far more than just a surrealist comedy and asks questions I've never even thought about. This is a surprisingly moving and tragic commentary on love, feelings of inadequacy, and stardom. With Charlie Kaufman's spectacular writing and oddly specific imagery, a great score from Carter Burwell, and wonderful performances from Cusak and Malkovich, Being John Malkovich is a film like no other

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/22/25

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stevie S

The chance to be someone else for a while. The chance to be a famous actor. Mix a little bit of everyday blandness, jealousy and mind control. This is a fantastically funny movie; with the full emotional rollercoaster to pot. So original, it fully merits a rewatch from time to time. Funny, smart, extremely original story. This is human natures most fundamental urges, set out in movie form. This could have spawned a successful franchise of ‘being’ films…Jack Nicholson? Christopher Walken? Ray Winston?

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/09/25

Full Review

r96 s

'Being John Malkovich' sure is quite something! Despite not knowing the type of movie that it is, I'm always wanted to get this one watched purely because of the title. Now I've seen it, I'm pleased I've done so. It's strange on the surface, though by the end it's... almost normal? Based on the opening and the genre it's listed under on Wikipedia, I was expecting more of an artsy sorta thing. Pleasantly, it isn't that. Of course it has deeper meaning and I'm not saying I got 100% of it, though in the end it's relatively simple. But impressive and original, no doubt. I love that John Malkovich agreed to do this, I now read that he was apparently "half intrigued and half horrified" when he first read the script - I can see why! John Cusack, Cameron Diaz (took me a while to recognise her) and Catherine Keener are all great behind (inside?) JM. My only criticism is that it didn't keep the humour that it shows when Craig first meets Lester, the 'Airplane!'-esque nature of it fitted so well. Sure, there is plenty of humour in there, but the deadpan delivery of Lester (and Floris, of course) is the most amusing.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/06/25

Full Review

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Spike Jonze

Director

John Cusack

Craig Schwartz

Cameron Diaz

Lotte Schwartz

Catherine Keener

Maxine Lund

Orson Bean

Dr. Lester

Mary Kay Place

Floris

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Dance of Despair and Disillusionment

2:14

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Craig's Escape From Malkovich

2:13

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - John Malkovich Becomes a Puppeteer

2:11

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Malkovich Inside Malkovich

2:14

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Malkovich Discovers J.M. Inc.

2:13

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Malkovich Gets Paranoid

1:38

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Sad Man Becomes John Malkovich

2:11

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Craig Wins a Date With Maxine

2:10

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - 7 1/2 Floor Orientation

2:13

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - The Speech Impediment

2:23

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Synopsis

In this quirky cult-favorite comedy, unemployed New York City puppeteer Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) reluctantly takes a temp job as a filing clerk for the eccentric Dr. Lester (Orson Bean). While at work, Craig discovers a portal that leads into the mind of renowned actor John Malkovich. When he lets his attractive co-worker Maxine (Catherine Keener) in on the secret, they begin both an unusual business scheme and an odd relationship that involves Craig's restless wife, Lotte (Cameron Diaz).

Director: Spike Jonze
Producer: Steve Golin, Vincent Landay, Sandy Stern, Michael Stipe
Screenwriter: Charlie Kaufman
Distributor: USA Films
Production Co: Gramercy Pictures, Single Cell Pictures, Propaganda Films
Rating: R (Sexuality|Language)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 29, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.9M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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