Being John Malkovich

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Being John Malkovich

R

Released Oct 29, 1999

1h 52m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

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

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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

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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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Duncan K

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

10/19/24

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julie b

Wonderfully weird and full of so so so many obscure details and side characters - I just keep thinking about them pitching this script or coming up with this concept and it mystifies me in a good way. Catherine Keener in particular is amazing and magnetic as Maxine, and of course there’s John!!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/23/24

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Kathryn V

Strange , different but great fun entertainment. Better even, second time watching it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/02/24

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Mix R

Weird as hell, but worth watching, if you want to see a handful of humane characters and eternal screwing of a shocked mind.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/08/24

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M R

A very strange film to say the least. But intriguing enough at times to keep the viewer entertained. It is a very weird plot but the performances are wonderful. Rating: 8/10

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/16/24

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Blu B

A Classic Drama Fantasy. The editing is masterful as this weaves effortlessly between Fantasy, comedy, drama, and a love "Square" to boot and is super sharp. It's filled with tons of underlying commentary about the concept of an individual and the collectiveness of humanity in a satircal but very clever fashion and highly original. There is truly nothing like this that I can think of. It's such a bizarre concept that feels like it's its own thing and not borrowing from anything. The acting, cinematography, and pacing are all really good. The music is solid also but not neccesarily catchy or memorable on it's own. This is a film that relies solely on it's original idea and lifts everything up with it as the direction is pretty good but not amazing. It can look a little dull throughout and none of the characters are truly that likeable, which feels on purpose save for John. The dialouge can be very quirky at times but it fits for such a unique subject matter. Anyone who is a fan of any actors in this, the director, Kaufman screeplays, or just very out there original ideas will like this a lot.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/10/24

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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

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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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