Writer/Director: Spike Jonze
Starring: John Cusack, Catherine Keener and John Malkovich
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have earned the appreciation of John Cusack. Following his rise to stardom in the 1990’s, Cusack has become an icon. Whether it’s star-crossed lovers, bold music producers or apocalypse survivors, the actor has portrayed several strong characters. Arguably, Cusack’s finest strength as an actor has often been his charming presence. He is one of those rare actors that has always had a strong presence that has elevated every film he is in. Cusack has never been afraid taking risks in his career playing complex characters that aren’t always likeable. An actor with big commitment to his craft, Cusack has become an icon in entertainment. Through his abilities to create strong characters which audiences can relate to, Cusack has become an actor that audiences value. Throughout his strong career, Cusack has made several memorable movies that are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Cusack and admire all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Being John Malkovich” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 1999, Spike Jonze’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the best movies ever made about Hollywood. At the centre of it all is a powerful performance by John Cusack, who portrays a puppeteer seeking success in a profession. Ultimately, what makes “Being John Malkovich” a work of art is is universal appeal. Unlike most movies about puppeteers, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a strong message about mental health which would definitely resonate with everyone. A riveting masterpiece about lives of puppeteers, there are many strong reasons why “Being John Malkovich” is a movie that is definitely worth seeing.
Set in a surreal world, “Being John Malkovich” tells a story of a puppeteer entering a magical world through a portal. John Cusack portrays Craig Schwartz, a struggling puppeteer with a love for art. Craig has always had a love doing his job of being a puppeteer but has struggled to find success in a mocked profession. Facing a dilemma, Craig struggles to turn his dreams of being a puppeteer into reality. However, his dreams are given a chance when Craig is hired for a job causing disaster. Craig is thrilled to find an opportunity to enter a portal into mind of the actor John Malkovich (John Malkovich). Initially, John is excited by the opportunity to explore the mind of a celebrity. As he begins to discover shocking secrets about the life of a famous celebrity, Craig begins to question if he can turn his dreams into reality. Trapped in a troublesome mind, Craig wonders whether his happiness is possible to find.
Spike Jonze is a newcomer towards themes of puppeteers. Before he directed “Being John Malkovich”, Jonze had never made a movie about puppeteers before. It was the director’s first attempt to capture the complex lives of puppeteers facing disaster but he succeeded immensely. Using captivating cinematography, Jonze captures the life of a puppeteer seeking success in a profession causing tragedy. Jonze effectively uses point-of-view shots to convey hardships that puppeteers in stressful jobs are facing. For instance, the point of view shots elevate the portal discovery scene. During this unforgettable scene, Craig is shocked to find a portal into the mind of the famous actor John Malkovich. Through point-of-view shots, the filmmaker creates a character that audiences can easily relate to. POV shots are tricky to use in movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” suggested, POV shots elevate classic horror movies about sharks. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through engaging visuals, Jonze captures hardships puppeteers are facing.
Another commendable aspect of “Being John Malkovich” that deserves appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Jonze effectively uses production to capture the unstable mind of an actor facing tension. Throughout the film, the office that Craig works in plays a crucial role in building tension. Whether it’s the low ceilings of claustrophobic corridors, the work-place plays a pivotal role in capturing tension that puppeteers face. For instance, production of the workplace elevates the first day on the job scene. During this unforgettable scene, Craig enters his workplace for the first time noticing the strangeness of the low ceilings. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Carter Burwell’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that puppeteers bear. Through phenomenal production design, Jonze captures the lives of puppeteers facing a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Being John Malkovich” is a film about the minds of celebrities that is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses voice over narration to capture minds of famous actors facing tension. Throughout the film, Jonze uses narration to capture people reacting to the kind of a famous actor facing tension. For instance, narration enhances the John Malkovich mind scene. During this tense scene, Craig narrates his experience entering the mind of John Malkovich through powerful narration. Through narration, Jonze creates a compelling character which audiences easily relate to. Narration is a tricky technique to use in films. As Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” suggested, narration enhances films about prison. Robert Zemeckis’ “Forrest Gump” suggested that narration elevates films about intellectual disability. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a bold screenplay, Jonze captures the lives of artistic puppeteers facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
John Cusack delivers one of his best career performances as Craig. Cusack first gained appreciation for playing heroes of romantic movies made in the 1990’s. With “Being John Malkovich”, however, he took on his complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a puppeteer that enters portals into the mind of a legendary actor but he succeeded. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. Cusack has always excelled at playing emotional heroes under pressure, and “Being John Malkovich” showcased his strengths as an actor. With riveting expressions, he conveys angst, desperation and grief of a puppeteer seeking to enter the mind of a famous actor. It’s a powerful performance from one of the best actors working today.
While the film is mainly a stunning showcase for John Cusack, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of appreciation. Cameron Diaz is captivating, capturing enthusiasm of a woman thrilled to enter the mind of a famous actor in tension. Catherine Keener is superb, bringing a strong sense of authority towards a manager seeking to discover the mind of a commemorated actor. Lastly, John Malkovich merits appreciation. As a famous actor that experiences mind-numbing tension, he brings hilarious comical relief to the movie.
Finally, “Being John Malkovich” will earn the recognition of everyone for capturing lives of famous celebrities that are inspiring. Unlike most commemorated movies about puppeteers, it discusses strong themes everyone would relate to. The film tackles strong themes including identity, grief and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of John Malkovich to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about identity which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Being John Malkovich” is one of those rare movies about the lives of commemorated Hollywood celebrities everyone would adore.
Fans of John Cusack will definitely appreciate “Being John Malkovich” and so will audiences seeking thoughtful entertainment. A riveting masterpiece about the mind of an actor that is iconic, it honours a celebrity that captivates the public.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about puppeteers discovering innovative portals leading into the minds of legendary actors whose personal lives are fascinating, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a lasting legacy earning a massive fan following for his abilities to portray compelling characters in captivating movies which are definitely without a doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 