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MOVIES / ON DVD / BEING JOHN MALKOVICH
Being John Malkovich

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Being John Malkovich (1999)

92%
92%
87%
N/A
N/A
N/A
92 %
Reviews Counted: 114 Fresh: 105  Rotten:9 Average Rating: 8/10
 
Consensus: Being John Malkovich is both funny and smart, featuring a highly original script.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 1 hr 53 mins

Synopsis: Original is far too understated a term to describe this picture, brought to you by the surreal, twisted minds of screenwriter Kaufman and actor-director Jonze. The story concerns a puppeteer, Craig Schwartz (Cusack), who discovers his office has a secret portal that leads directly into the... Original is far too understated a term to describe this picture, brought to you by the surreal, twisted minds of screenwriter Kaufman and actor-director Jonze. The story concerns a puppeteer, Craig Schwartz (Cusack), who discovers his office has a secret portal that leads directly into the brain of one of America's most popular actors, John Malkovich (Malkovich himself, in a hilariously self-mocking appearance). When the journey ends fifteen minutes later, the participant is spewed onto the side of the New Jersey Turnpike. Schwartz uses his discovery as a way to get closer to fellow co-worker Maxine (the always sexy Keener). Together, the pair form JM, INC., which allows ordinary citizens to join in on the fun for $200 a pop. But when Craig's wife Lotte (a homely Diaz), as Malkovich, is seduced by Maxine, things begin to unfurl at an even more outrageous pace. Sound confusing? Thanks to Jonze's grounded direction, it isn't. The result is one of the decade's most original films. [More]

Genre: Comedies

Starring: John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, John Malkovich, Orson Bean

Director: Spike Jonze
Screenwriter: Charlie Kaufman
Producer: Steve Golin, Sandy Stern, Michael Stipe, Vincent Landay
Composer: Carter Burwell

DVD Info

Release:

Jun 26, 2007

[DVD Details]

HD DVD Features:

  • Widescreen - 1.85

Audio:

  • Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 Surround - English, French
  • Subtitles - English (SDH), French - Optional

Buy It On DVD

Reviews

 
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N/R

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Full Review | comment Comment
06/17/08
David Rooney
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
N/A

This outrageous comic fantasy may not sustain its brilliance throughout its 112 minutes, but it keeps cooking for so much of that time that I don't have many complaints.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/08/08
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
3.5/4

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
08/18/07
Wesley Lovell
Oscar Guy
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C+

The movie is so successful at being so far on the fringe, it often isolates.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/26/07
Christopher Smith
Bangor Daily News (Maine)
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5/5

Will benefit greatly from repeat viewings and fervent post-viewing deconstruction.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/23/07
Rob Gonsalves
eFilmCritic.com
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4/4

Click to read the article

Full Review | comment Comment
07/14/07
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound
Ratings Image
N/A

By the time the tunnel worthy of the likes of Gulliver and Alice becomes a freeway clogged with bit players, a big chill has descended on all the characters.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/27/07
Andrew Sarris
New York Observer
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
Ratings Image
4/4

In just a few years, with a flurry of wildly imaginative films and three Oscar nominations, Kaufman has managed to join the likes of David Mamet, Stephen King, William Shakespeare and Oscar Wilde on the short list of screenwriting superstars.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/07/07
Phil Villarreal
Arizona Daily Star
N/R

This must be seen to be believed, a hundred carat cult item -- and all credit to Malkovich for playing along.

Full Review | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
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5/5

A triumph. Featuring a bizarrely original storyline, the screenplay by Charlie Kaufman is brought to the screen by Jonze in what may turn out to be one of the funniest films of the year.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/06/05
Chris Gore
Film Threat
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N/A

It is hard to mix moods -- the film is manic, subtle, comic and vaguely sad -- but [Jonze] does it masterfully.

Full Review | comment Comment
07/21/05
Jeff Millar
Houston Chronicle
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N/A

A surrealistic ride into a fantasy world that is unique and never before seen.

Full Review | comment Comment
04/09/05
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews
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A

...dense with ideas and non sequitur surprises, a viewer-friendly fun house of a film that asks only that we enjoy the ride. It is smart without seeming challenging...

Full Review | comment Comment
01/02/05
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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N/A

Charlie Kaufman must be a monkey's uncle...

Full Review | comment Comment
12/31/04
Staci Layne Wilson
StaciWilson.com
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A-

This is "Alice in Wonderland" for this decade; its heroes crawl down rabbit holes into a world of gender role and sexual identity conflicts.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/06/04
Jeffrey Overstreet
Looking Closer
Ratings Image
3.5/4

"Being John Malkovich" is depraved and entertaining, like a good visit to your psychologist.

comment Comment
09/04/04
Wesley Lovell
Oscar Guy
Ratings Image
3/4

No one will accuse music-video director Spike Jonze of making his feature-film debut with a boring, conventional movie.

Full Review | comment Comment
06/23/04
Judith Egerton
Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)
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3/4

Premises don't come packaged more cleverly than this one. Stellar cast, eclectic story and a peculiar concept render this an imaginative albeit uneven two hours of unusual movie entertainment.

Full Review | comment Comment
05/14/03
Jeanne Aufmuth
Palo Alto Weekly
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5/5

I highly recommend being John Malkovich. And if you can't do it, at least see the film.

Full Review | comment Comment
02/08/03
John R. McEwen
Film Quips Online
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5/5

Featuring a bizarrely original storyline, the screenplay by Charlie Kaufman is brought to the screen by Jonze in what may turn out to be one of the funniest films of the year.

Full Review | comment Comment
12/08/02
Chris Gore
Film Threat
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• Being John Malkovich at IGN
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