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Being John Malkovich

Being John Malkovich

1999
Comedy, Drama
1h 53m
Craig, a puppeteer, takes a filing job in a low-ceilinged office in Manhattan. Although married to the slightly askew Lotte, he hits on a colleague, the sexually frank Maxine. She's bored but snaps awake when he finds a portal leading inside John Malkovich: for 15 minutes you see, hear, and feel whatever JM is doing, then you fall out by the New Jersey Turnpike... (imdb)
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Being John Malkovich

1999
Comedy, Drama
1h 53m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 65.23% from 14442 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(14442)
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Rated 02 Mar 2009
75
91st
After 15 minutes inside me, you'd probably just end up with child support payments.
Rated 09 Aug 2020
81
72nd
Excellent absurd concept that ends up being a vehicle for a love triangle where one side is a fairly endearing transgender exploration and one is a metaphysical mind-rape. It's pretty crazy and kinda funny but there's just not enough...well, John Malkovich.
Rated 11 Apr 2010
90
89th
Being John Malcovich defines surreal. It presents a wholly complete realm in which bizarre happenings don't confound and disturb people as they should. Rather, they are greedily exploited for personal means in an hilarious and unique, albeit often warped and dark manner. The cast, a powerful bunch, proves even better under the unnatractivizing makeup. Cameron Diaz, for example, proves she isn't just a pretty face, as se looks her worst but undeniably is at her acting best. Awesome!
Rated 21 Jul 2018
85
94th
Original. To say the least. Although the character drama in the movie's unconventional love triangle doesn't quite ground Kaufman's absolutely brilliant, but undeniably bonkers ideas, it's a must-see.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
52nd
Well it is indeed an interesting movie and I haven't seen anything like it. Although, I must admit, it did feel rather silly at certain points.
Rated 22 Feb 2008
96
99th
I'm all about a movie with a rediculous story if it's done well. Who wakes up in the morning with the script idea "What if there was a portal that took you inside John Malkocich's head for a few minutes. Then dumps you on the side of the road." Apparently Charlie Kaufman. Hilarious, and one of my faves
Rated 16 Mar 2008
96
97th
A masterpiece of storytelling from one of the last original thinkers in Hollywood. Cusack, Diaz and Keener are all playing against type: the cool guy's a schlep, the pretty one's homely, and the girl next door oozes with pure sexuality. Malkovich knocks it out of the park; the beauty of his performance is in the details, like the transitions between "himself" and Craig's control. Just watch his reaction when Maxine says "Lets fuck on his table and make him eat an omelette off it." Amazing.
Rated 18 May 2009
7
57th
(after repeat viewings) Arguably the most original movie from what's undoubtedly the greatest year in cinema of all time. Its only problem is the lack of focus, with main characters switching somewhat frantically from scene to scene, but all in all, a very funny and clever film. And that Fincher cameo is just gold.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
70
35th
Some interesting ideas, but gets way too bogged down in its own quirkiness.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
97th
As soon as I saw the trailer for this film, I knew I had to see it. The surreal humour hits the mark perfectly. I love the way it reworks a traditional movie monster/villian 'the puppet master' in a much more psychologically indepth way. The bit when it suddenly switches to the chimp's traumatic memories is brilliant
Rated 10 Jan 2009
96
99th
When I saw this film, I almost shit my pants. There are great perfomances from the whole cast, but Malkovich himself is bringing something extraordinary to the plot. It is weird, hilarious, captivating... You are only to guess what is going to happen, and when you do you're always wrong.
Rated 18 Apr 2009
100
98th
This movie is both predictable and unpredictable at the same time. You can easily guess the basic plot by just reading the title of the film, but the rest is even crazier. This is a brilliant, funny movie, I would recommend this to almost anybody. Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich.
Rated 04 Apr 2012
90
87th
Malkovich? Malkovich. MALKOVICH MALKOVICH MALKOVICH
Rated 19 Apr 2014
7
92nd
this film on consciousness and all that it entails is really quite remarkable. somehow it managed to maintain philosophical coherence with its enormously complex narrative, all while also being hilarious and entertaining. i thought adaptation was neat and inventive, but this is on another level, in all dimensions. has significant emotional heft too. phenomenal.
Rated 28 Feb 2017
95
97th
Phenomenal in its visual and thematic originality, Kaufman and Jonze pull off this bizarre concept with aplomb, crafting a hilarious, intelligent, thought-provoking picture that's simply impossible to forget. Cusack, Keener and even Diaz are excellent, but it's Malkovich himself who steals the show with an outstanding meta performance.
Rated 23 Mar 2022
87
95th
Charlie Sheen jumpscare was unnecessary
Rated 17 Dec 2006
75
50th
Some of the characterizations were quite overdone, and some of the many witticisms feel flat. Other than that I liked it a lot, although less than both Adaptation and especially Eternal Sunshine. I particularly liked the end, with its implication of people retreating further and further into their assumed existences in order to get what they want. Charlie Kaufman is one clever dude.
Rated 03 Mar 2007
33
17th
I was expecting a lot from this. For the first couple of minutes the script seems clever and witty. Soon enough you realize Kaufman is just a smart aleck deconstructionist, padding his weak writing (dime-a-dozen jealous gun chases are a mainstay with him) with all manner of gimmickry to make it seem sophisticated.
Rated 27 Apr 2007
60
47th
It's original all right, but it works so hard at being weird that it's actually kind of alienating
Rated 14 Aug 2007
57
23rd
How do so many people like this movie? Does it not completely disintegrate in the third act?
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
95th
Very inventive and entertaining. Great work from Keener and Malkatraz. Amusing cameo by Charlie Sheen. Sean Penn was funny. And of course, Brad Pitt.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
91
86th
One of the most intriguing and well acted movies around, Cusak and Keener give especially fine performances.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
86th
Brilliant, funny and, like the trip into Malkovich's head, an experience you won't soon forget.
Rated 17 Apr 2008
84
85th
A genuinely brilliant film, rendered nearly unwatchable by the ickiness of the story and the unlikability of its characters.
Rated 16 Aug 2008
90
92nd
Charlie Kaufman's brilliant mind at its finest.
Rated 27 Jan 2009
87
78th
Being John Malkovich was always one of those movies that everyone said was really good but I was never all that interested in. After finally seeing it I'm glad I finally got to as it's one of the most creative and captivating movies I've seen in a while. The story is like nothing else and the acting is equally great. What is most impressive though is the writing and directing combination as they play off of each little part together and you can tell the match is perfect.
Rated 21 Sep 2009
85
87th
Fucked up in a good way - like his funky puppet shows. We're all the Malkovich collective. Yeah man, I think we're all, like, Malkovich, man. So, like, be gentle when your fucking a random Malkovich. No giving them strawberry mikshakes or other shit, man.
Rated 28 Sep 2009
87
84th
Very, very clever, and has a lot of really great ideas, but not as good as Kaufman's later work, where the human element is much better.
Rated 03 Jan 2010
82
76th
One of the most original, out-of-this-world scripts you'll ever see come to life. It's worth watching just to see this concept pulled off. I don't really like the criticism that "IT'S TOO WEIRD I DON'T GET IT", because it can be interpreted in so many ways. I do, however, think that it could have been paced a little better to seem less chaotic. Kaufman's later works are a lot more focused, and benefit from that.
Rated 01 Mar 2010
4
32nd
For a movie that was very much about being drawn into other existences and indeed changing identities to get what you want, I found it a bit bogus that the movie itself got way too lost in its own gimmick at times. It's original, and wacky, and has some wit... but all in all you can dress up in whatever costume you like, if you're empty inside you're still going to be empty inside. Pretty much sums this movie's worth up.
Rated 21 Mar 2010
90
97th
Completely surreal both with the visuals and some of the out-of-nowhere dialogue. This is one of the most truly original movies I've ever seen. It's creative and funny and has some great characters. And of course, it has John Malkovich gamely playing a living marionette version of himself. It was very good of him to lend himself to this movie.
Rated 23 Mar 2010
85
97th
The best existential, absurdist humor this side of Monty Python. Not only could I not stop laughing, but it actually addresses a lot of aspects of human nature. Malkovich's acting is also amazing.
Rated 21 Feb 2011
75
81st
A superb idea, but i still found its potential somewhat underused. Malkovich, malkovich.
Rated 14 May 2011
20
18th
This movie is a guy who tries drugs for the first time and it has a mild effect on him then the side effects start to kick in and the world gets drearier and drearier then he starts to take more drugs only it makes things worse and worse until he just comments suicide. WAAAAAAAAAY to dreary and depressing for it's own good not to mention slooooooooooooooow. I recommend FLCL or MST3K both are wacky, silly, and fun which is much more than I can say for this movie.
Rated 22 Sep 2011
82
91st
Malkovich is good here, but I liked him better in that jewel thief movie.
Rated 25 Oct 2011
86
98th
Fantasy films are a funny one with me. I can appreciate fantasy up to a point and then it just becomes absurd. This film goes so far over that line, but I loved it so much. Such a journey.
Rated 04 Jan 2012
100
96th
I love everything about this one.
Rated 09 Mar 2012
86
87th
I thought that this was really fucking hilarious. Not everything works, but I really liked the way the story progressed. Things just kept getting crazier and crazier, and it all somehow came together just right.
Rated 29 Oct 2012
80
88th
Just another one of those movies you've seen a thousand times before. God, I hate romantic comedies.
Rated 09 Apr 2013
95
98th
Nutty, original, and outrageously funny. This film, to quote from John Cusack's character, is like opening a metaphysical can of worms. It's great to see the actors bring their A-game as they play against type in this brilliantly conceived satire.
Rated 29 Sep 2014
9
95th
The most bizarre movie I've seen, this movie is deeper than it seems. How a slapstick comedy in a ridiculous setting can turn into an existentialist drama, I don't know, but it did. Unique, and worth watching.
Rated 08 Aug 2015
88
99th
Charlie Sheen is such a shit actor
Rated 07 Aug 2016
87
90th
Very bizar, very funny and very messed up. I loved it. Big fan of Malkovich, especially in that movie where he was a jewel thief.
Rated 03 Sep 2018
80
57th
What a headache. But oddly entertaining and funny. The cast also became quite a treat....I took away some Freudian provoking ideas, relevant to the characters. When you finally buy into this comic fantasy, it really is intense.
Rated 03 Sep 2018
85
84th
More absurd than complex, BJM is a love-triangle focused on highlighting the futility of desire. Everyone in this film is working towards a rather shallow end goal, and stopping at nothing to make that happen. Deliciously weird.
Rated 26 Sep 2018
91
82nd
Kaufman and Jonze are a perfect team for this. I watched this a long time ago, back when the economic climate wasn't so wintery, and it never clicked. Now the themes Kaufman's playing with are all too obvious, but what's more: I just adored the filmmaking and originality on display. Also what helped is knowing who John Malkovich is.
Rated 24 Nov 2018
85
79th
R - Very enjoyable, utterly crazy idea but the film entirely commits to it. The cast are great, the characters' actions just about believable all the way along.
Rated 27 Dec 2019
70
52nd
Diaz has some amazing wig work in this film. Took me a few scenes to realize it was her.
Rated 26 May 2021
92
98th
It's an interesting film that's surreal not because of the supernatural but more in how the characters react to the supernatural. As wild as these characters are, the dynamics between them are fascinating and there's a lot of thematic baggage to unpack when it comes to self-identity, self-worth, and where our values intercede between the two. The ending is really damn good; recontextualizing much of the plot and gives new meaning to much of the established characterization and plot beats.
Rated 22 Nov 2006
77
58th
this movie is good, and I can't explain why. I like the dynamic
Rated 30 Nov 2006
85
63rd
Will have to watch it again some time. Liked it less than other Charlie Kaufman scripts. Still very clever and funny movie.
Rated 12 Dec 2006
100
90th
Craziest movie I have ever seen. It is so malkovich and at the same time a little malkovich. When he malkoviched that one malkovich I nearly malkoviched. If you don't get it then see it and you will. Malkovich!
Rated 12 Dec 2006
84
53rd
so good...so god damn good
Rated 25 Dec 2006
97
97th
Twisted, dark, hilarious, totally unique.
Rated 04 Jan 2007
90
94th
Wacky beyond belief. Charlie Kaufman must have taken a lot of drugs in his day.
Rated 16 Jan 2007
96
97th
Brilliant, unique, and utterly hilarious. Definitely my type of humor. The cast does a great job.
Rated 21 Jan 2007
75
83rd
Um. .. I like it.
Rated 29 Jan 2007
90
95th
A unique and clever movie experience. This is also my go-to "rebuttal" flick whenever someone tries to convince me that Cameron Diaz is hot.
Rated 01 Feb 2007
75
82nd
Brilliant! Exquisit! Delightful!
Rated 16 Feb 2007
90
95th
Originality made into film. Every single thing in this film is in top form, including the outstanding and heartbreaking performance by the little gorilla. Long life to Charlie Kaufman.
Rated 20 Feb 2007
90
87th
Amazing.
Rated 25 Feb 2007
71
30th
It's one of those movies that's great the first time you watch it, but you cannot sit through it a second time.
Rated 25 Feb 2007
75
39th
a weird movie with an unusual concept
Rated 01 Mar 2007
80
95th
My type of film.
Rated 09 Mar 2007
80
69th
so widely considered overrated that its actually kind of underrated
Rated 18 Mar 2007
87
90th
Loooved it. An absolute classic, I watched it over and over.
Rated 25 Mar 2007
80
77th
It's Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman. Knowing that going in, you can probably decide for yourself if you like this movie.
Rated 26 Mar 2007
50
18th
kinda boring
Rated 27 Mar 2007
80
50th
Wacky
Rated 10 Apr 2007
73
36th
Bizarre, but strangely compelling.
Rated 20 Apr 2007
97
97th
...awesome. So original and unique. Kaufman truly is a genius of our time.
Rated 15 May 2007
65
33rd
John Cusak is pretty good as the puppeteer, Cameron Diaz actually plays an interesting character in it, too.
Rated 26 May 2007
45
24th
Odd. Just plain odd.
Rated 11 Jun 2007
90
80th
Pretty cool...would I have enjoyed it more if I'd heard of John Malkovich before this?
Rated 11 Jun 2007
90
86th
Great visuals and a great script, even if a little scattered at times.
Rated 09 Jul 2007
4
83rd
A weird experiment that works.
Rated 12 Jul 2007
90
66th
Malkovich Malkovich, Malkovich? Really, really strange. But good.
Rated 25 Jul 2007
95
85th
doesn't get much more awesome and original as this!
Rated 27 Jul 2007
85
72nd
Wildly funny to wildly depressing in one hundred minutes!
Rated 03 Aug 2007
89
87th
Malkovich. Malkovich Malkovich. Malkovich Malkovich Malkovich. Malkovich!
Rated 05 Aug 2007
85
84th
Cusack and Diaz play probably their least typical roles to date; it's all very experimental and existential, and if that makes you say "oh, well, I won't like it, and I definitely won't get it", you're almost certainly right.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
81
81st
wow...not what anyone expected...mesmerizing acting performances!!!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
77th
A clever entertaining film
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
77th
Amazing. Best of the Year !!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
5
98th
Skilfully pulls off its outrageous premise.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
88
77th
I liked this weirdness.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
81
36th
More clever than entertaining. Expect zero likable characters.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
84
67th
If this movie didn't creep the ever-loving bejesus out of me...
Rated 14 Aug 2007
86
93rd
I've never seen anything like it. The first decent performance by Cameron Diaz. Cusack is superb, Malkovich is very believable as, well, Malkovich. Cathy Keener is great too. Mind blowing, life-altering. And pretty cool too
Rated 14 Aug 2007
98
96th
this was a fantastic movie. very magical feel and well acted and awesome plot.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
99
97th
It's just that.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
50
14th
Ugh. What do people see in this film?
Rated 14 Aug 2007
60
58th
While not terribly funny to me, this movie is weird, which is a pleasant relief. It runs a bit long, perhaps forgetting to explore some interesting aspects of the set-up and providing plenty of light stuff to amuse. The Johns do well in this one.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
83
61st
The film oozes originality (and bizarreness) from every pore, but at the same time suffers from severe pacing problems. Still, however, it is so extraordinary that it certainly is worth watching. Though, I admit, I would be much more interested in seeing John Malkovich's face when he read the script for the first time.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
82
84th
If you want to confuse someone, show them this. I was in the boat of "how in the hell could such a ridiculous concept work so well?"
Rated 14 Aug 2007
40
31st
Highly overrated with a repulsive ending. The performances are good, but it has not much other than wackiness to move it along.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
85th
Malkovich Malkovich? ...Malkovich
Rated 14 Aug 2007
74
50th
Twisted and unlike most anything else... Points for that...
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
91st
How cool is this film? Especially when John Malkovich enters the head. Great stuff!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
90
92nd
Wonderfully crazy movie.

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