Being John Malkovich

Spike Jonze is MTV's poster-boy for successful videos, having directed several of the station's most prized accomplishments. His videos have a lot in common with the surreal nature of this debut film. The film often borders on being too crazy, in fact it becomes dangerously close at numerous times, but it maintains its constant level of awkward humor and rampant style.

Starting with a masterfully directed puppet sequence, Being John Malkovich is exactly what the name implies: it's about being John Malkovich. John Malkovich is somewhat of a Hollywood enigma. He's one of those actors that is constantly great, but no one can seem to remember what movies he's been in. It's one of the film's long running jokes, being brought to life many times by anonymous faces.

The script is a gem that deserves to be studied by aspiring screenwriters everywhere. It's chalked full of new ideas, and innovative feelings on the concept of personality, and what it means to be human. It follows Craig Schwartz (played winningly by John Cusack) and his struggle with his career. He's a puppeteer but nobody is looking for a puppeteer for entertainment. Him and his wife Lotte (a appearance altering performance by Cameron Diaz) live through life amongst dozens of pets, trying to make ends meet. When at his new job he finds a small door hidden behind a bookcase that enters the mind of John Malkovich, his life changes. Yes, for fifteen minutes you can be John Malkovich, the famed Hollywood actor, the one who nobody ever remembers what movies he's been in. After your fifteen minutes are up, however, you're dumped on the New Jersey turnpike.

The acting is sensational all around, with Cusack and Diaz lending themselves (and their appearances) to the role. Catherine Keener, however, is the true find. As the hard-to-get lust object Maxine, she's downright sniveling and she does so perfectly. Also expertly performed is the puppets themselves. Whoever is responsible for controlling the numerous puppet sequences has to be commended, because it's startling work.

The combination of Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman is surely one that we'll see again. They're respective levels of innovation and respect for the film medium is abundant. They each seem to respect what the other's job is. If Being John Malkovich is any indication, we have several more of their off-the-wall films to look forward to.

The true genius of this surreal mind trip of a movie is not recognized right after viewing. It commanded my thoughts when laying in bed that night. I went over the comic elements, the chameleonic performance of John Malkovich playing himself, the playful manipulation of gravity, among other things. It's a film where genius will not be recognized by all, but is one that is truly stuffed to-the-brim with originality and wit.

On a scale of 1 to 10 embodiments of "There's Something about Spike" : 9

Click HERE to read what its like being Charlie Kaufman.