Review of Being John Malkovich (1999) by Paul W — 19 Oct 2012
Thirteen years on, my review of what by now has surely become a cult film won't add any value, but I love this movie. Actually I watched it years ago, but I was drunk at the time and remembered only the low ceilings on Floor 7 1/2.
This time around, sober, I was fully engaged and in awe of its genius. My reaction to Lotte was probably like everyone else's: she seemed dull and uninteresting until she had sex with Maxine in Malkovich's body, then suddenly became a fascinating, vibrant character.
Strangely, though Craig too had sex with Maxine in Malkovich's body, he did not become a more attractive character (rather the opposite, in fact). This is one of the few movies I've seen Charlie Sheen in where I did not despise him.
How did a screenplay with such an odd, inventive, non-mass market premise ever find financing? I guess miracles do happen. I rank Being John Malkovich up there with Donnie Darko, another unlikely and on its face unsellable story that somehow got filmed and became one of the all-time great cult movies.
This review of Being John Malkovich (1999) was written by Paul W on 19 Oct 2012.
Being John Malkovich has generally received very positive reviews.
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