 | Being John Malkovich Starring: John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, and Catherine Keener, Orson Bean, John Malkovich |
There are a lot of things to like about this inventive comedy/fantasy film. Director Spike Jonze has created a whacky, off the wall story that, at times, is as hilarious as it is ingenious. His attempt to create one of the most innovative comedies in filmdom almost succeeds. Unfortunately, the last 45 minutes are bogged down with explanations and dark character changes that lose the comedic aspects of the film and wander into an absurdity that is desperately looking for laughs. Somewhere in the middle of the film, Jonze lost his way and the film descends rapidly. I viewed this film in a full theater. The first hour was filled with spontaneous laughter from the audience; the last hour, alas, was spent in silence. The tale is about an out of work a puppeteer (Cusack) and his loving, understanding wife (Diaz). It seems his brilliant work is not appreciated and to obtain money he reluctantly seeks a job. He finds a filing clerk position with a company located on the 7 1/2th floor of a large office building. The ceilings are so low that one has to almost bend in half when standing. Naturally the office is filled with strange characters that continue to bewilder Cusack. One very sexy and attractive employee (Keener) becomes an obsession with the young puppeteer. Working late one night Cusack discovers a small door hidden behind a filing cabinet. His curiosity getting the best of him, he enters this strange doorway. It turns out that it is a portal which, upon entering, sweeps one quickly into the brain of actor John Malkovich. For 15 minutes he sees, feels, and hears everything Malkovich is doing. Just as quickly, he is whisked out of Malkovich's brain and is unceremoniously dumped on the side of the New Jersey Turnpike. Excited with his experience he immediately tells his wife, who wants to try it herself. When she does, Malkovich is apparently having sex. After 15 minutes she too winds up on the side of the turnpike, but her experience as Malkovich having sex has been so enjoyable that she begins to question her sexual orientation. Back at the office, the scheming Keener senses that something is up and gets the puppeteer to tell all. They form a partnership called JM Inc. and start selling 15 minute trips inside the head Malkovich for $200 a pop. More complications are added when Diaz herself begins to lust after Keener. Not being attracted to Cusack, Keener tells his wife that she will only have sex with her when she's inside Malkovich. If this is beginning to sound crazy, it is. When Malkovich discovers this scheme, he commands Cusack to end the trips. It is at this point that the puppeteer becomes obsessed with lust and greed and eventually learns how to completely take over Malkovich for good. He locks his wife in a monkey cage, takes over Malkovich, and gets Keener. He also changes Malcovich from actor to puppeteer, where he finally achieves fame. I won't give away the ending but I believe that at this point the film becomes dark, confusing and unfunny. The writer has made a fatal flaw. Once you have established the main character (Cusak) and made him sympathetic to the audience, it is dangerous to suddenly turn him into a greedy S.O.B. who leaves his loving wife to die in a monkey cage while he goes out to pursue sex, money and power. He stops connecting with the audience and ceases to be funny. It was also a mistake to explain the portal. Let it be one of the great mysteries of the film. The explanation of the portal was confusing, time consuming and very unfunny causing the ending and the last half of the film to be a let down. I am apparently in the minority as the film has opened to rave reviews throughout America. A lot of rumors are going around that this film might be a likely candidate to sneak into the Oscars as an offbeat entry similar to "Fargo." I would have to recommend the film despite its flaws. The first hour is nothing less that brilliant. Dark moody photography by Lance Acord juxtaposes with the comedy and creates a wonderfully strange effect from the beginning. His sensitive camera captures the artistry of marionette master Phil Huber with stunning results. To see Huber's work (no computer enhancement) is almost worth the price of the ticket. It's also nice to see John Cusack and Cameron Diaz getting roles that they can really sink their teeth into. Newcomer Catherine Keener as the scheming, sexy partner is most impressive. Another high point in the film is Malkovich, possessed by Cusack, doing, move by move, the complicated puppet dance. I'll end this review as I started. There are a lot of things to like about "Being John Malkovich." Its too bad director Jonze fails to sustain the great comedic timing of the first hour. I should also comment on the outstanding make-up on Cusack and Diaz making them totally unrecognizable. I think we can look forward to some interesting and exciting films from Jonze. His future looks bright, indeed. |