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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)
Your probable score
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Being John Malkovich

1999
Comedy
Drama
1h 53m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 65.23% from 14456 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(14456)
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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 02 Mar 2009
75
91st
After 15 minutes inside me, you'd probably just end up with child support payments.
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 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
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 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 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 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 23 Mar 2022
87
95th
Charlie Sheen jumpscare was unnecessary
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 14 Aug 2007
70
35th
Some interesting ideas, but gets way too bogged down in its own quirkiness.
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 04 Apr 2012
90
87th
Malkovich? Malkovich. MALKOVICH MALKOVICH MALKOVICH
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 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 14 Aug 2007
80
86th
Brilliant, funny and, like the trip into Malkovich's head, an experience you won't soon forget.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 08 Aug 2015
88
99th
Charlie Sheen is such a shit actor
Rated 04 Jan 2012
100
96th
I love everything about this one.
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 14 Aug 2007
57
23rd
How do so many people like this movie? Does it not completely disintegrate in the third act?
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 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 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 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 16 Aug 2008
90
92nd
Charlie Kaufman's brilliant mind at its finest.
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 21 Feb 2011
75
81st
A superb idea, but i still found its potential somewhat underused. Malkovich, malkovich.
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 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 22 Sep 2011
82
91st
Malkovich is good here, but I liked him better in that jewel thief movie.
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 14 Aug 2007
91
86th
One of the most intriguing and well acted movies around, Cusak and Keener give especially fine performances.
Rated 09 Dec 2008
95
88th
It can't be called original enough. How could someone be so creative to come up with a story like this? Easily one of the best screenplays ever written. A tiny bit too long, but truly a beautiful film, nonetheless.
Rated 20 Jul 2009
100
96th
Maddox once said: a perfect movie must have lesbians in it. Well, this is a perfect movie then (spoiler). But aside from lesbians, it is so much more. The imagination behind the concept is just stunning. This explores the topic of personal identity in a fashion which would shake the comfortable ground of belief even for those who have never even thought to themselves why we are as we are. One of the ultimate films.
Rated 31 Jan 2009
95
95th
truly unique
Rated 11 Feb 2009
85
70th
I'd like to have a portal to Charlie Kaufman's mind. (Spike Jonze is a great director too)
Rated 01 Sep 2007
43
17th
Intriguing concept, but eventually the cynicism and the increasingly unlikeable characters make this film a real downer.
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 16 Jun 2010
90
98th
i absolutely love Charlie Kaufmans films, for they always outside the mold of movies that Hollywood pumps out by the millions
Rated 13 Sep 2008
100
93rd
Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich?
Rated 14 May 2009
90
91st
This original - idea movie definitely breaks my 90 points line. Not comedy nor fantasy as described. Psychologic/romance, I would say.
Rated 07 Jan 2010
85
94th
twisted and brilliant
Rated 09 Jul 2010
85
95th
Watched again in 2020 and definitely still liked it. The first time I saw this was in the theater, it certainly impressed me, but it's clear after 20 years that a lot of it was wasted on my young self. There's a lot of interesting stuff going on here about identity, perceived identity, control, and exploitation, among other issues. There was something weird going on with Cameron Diaz realizing she is a man, but by the end of the movie it seems she's a lesbian, which felt weird and patronizing.
Rated 13 Jan 2019
60
32nd
Any statement about a search for identity through puppeteering or otherwise falls flat because the scifi concepts are mostly just there to be cool and don't work to further the themes. A lot of characters, notably the two female leads, don't really have a distinct identity to begin with and are left to be scifi plotting fodder. Jonze's directing is serviceable but on a script this weird I feel you need some bolder visual cues to really sell the scifi conceits (e.g. low ceiling office).
Rated 24 Nov 2008
86
26th
cool cool story
Rated 20 Mar 2012
60
29th
I have to admit that there isn't a lot to this film except for the concept. And yet this concept is so eccentrically BRILLIANT it's almost enough to make "Being John Malkovich" consistently entertaining throughout its runtime. Kaufman's attempts at oddball humour often fail (Wes Anderson or the Coens are more capable of making weird little jokes work), but the commitment of the cast (especially Malkovich himself) and director to the outrageous project makes the film compulsively watchable.
Rated 22 Mar 2013
80
89th
Being John Malkovich is such a strange experience that, even if it doesn't sound like your kind of thing, I have to recommend. There's no way to properly describe it; it simply has to be watched to be believed. It has a completely committed performance by the man in its title, as well as a style and a plot that can't be imagined by most people. Go watch it, and have fun.
Rated 18 Aug 2009
100
96th
comedic genius
Rated 21 May 2013
65
26th
A better script than a movie (excepting the chase sequence near the end, which is a brilliant piece of filmmaking)... but it's definitely in the so-fucking-weird-it's-good category.
Rated 14 Apr 2009
100
97th
Genius; and the darkest film ever Cameron Diaz will ever do.
Rated 01 Jul 2009
70
32nd
A hit and a miss. It is good enough, but it tries way too hard for quirkiness in all circumstances. Charlie Kaufman channeled his intelligence perfectly for Adaptation though.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
78
66th
null
Rated 16 Jan 2007
96
97th
Brilliant, unique, and utterly hilarious. Definitely my type of humor. The cast does a great job.
Rated 09 Mar 2007
80
69th
so widely considered overrated that its actually kind of underrated
Rated 21 Jul 2009
63
19th
Interesting and even hilarious in parts, but mostly just odd and somewhat displeasing
Rated 24 Sep 2008
5
80th
So damn bizarre and original - but you kind of feel like Kaufman lost his creative juices by the end of it and fell into baseless indulgence. I do love how unattractive they made Cameron Diaz in this.
Rated 20 Dec 2008
0
11th
Rated 10 Nov 2013
95
94th
Malkovich malkovich?!
Rated 22 Dec 2011
75
35th
Rating 75 points just for the Malkovitch dream sequence. Hilarious.
Rated 23 Feb 2010
35
8th
"Malkovich, Malcovich, Mal"
Rated 23 Aug 2015
70
53rd
A little too out there for me but I appreciated it
Rated 13 May 2012
90
71st
These are the signs of an emerging genius. No one else can pull off this sort of obfuscated absurdism like Kaufman and Jonze. The key here is puppeteering; not just asking the question about who pulls the strings, but what agency and selfhood is to begin with. No one is content with their own identity, they all want to be someone else. On the face the story is completely ridiculous, but underneath the surface these desires are all too real to dismiss. The story is comedic as it is tragic.
Rated 05 Sep 2023
81
82nd
Orijinal, absürtlüğü kararında bir senaryo. Filmin uzunluğu da kararında olduğundan bir oturuşta akıcı şekilde bitirilebilecek özgün bir film olmuş.
Rated 02 Dec 2010
80
57th
Oddball movie like nothing you've ever seen before. The actress playing Maxine had that kind of 'average looking but sexy as hell' slutty thing going where she'd fuck anyone so long as they were in John Malkovich's body. She wasn't exactly pretty, but dressed in that clingy white outfit up against the wall or curling up with a sheet on the bed gave her an attractiveness out of all proportion with her physical attributes.
Rated 09 Jun 2009
77
85th
Has Cameron Diaz ever acted better? Has Katherine Keener ever looked hotter?
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 26 Feb 2018
60
47th
This was insane, but charming at times.
Rated 12 Nov 2007
90
81st
The first Charlie Kauffman film I saw & it still blows me away.
Rated 23 Dec 2013
93
83rd
Being John Malkovich is both funny and smart, featuring a highly original script.
Rated 02 Nov 2010
89
50th
makes you feel crazy and unnerved, like all of charlie kaufman, and Spike Lee's stuff
Rated 05 Sep 2011
93
96th
Spike Jonze just doesn't make enough films. With his hugely impressive debut, he exercises the medium to a high extent by appropriately combining visual treats with a tricky narrative and wondrous dimensions of identity.
Rated 12 Dec 2011
92
96th
Hilarious and bizarre. I would totally pay $200 to be be John Malkovich and would pay significantly more to be him while banging Catherine Keener or doing awesome stuff with Charlie Sheen.
Rated 09 Oct 2014
40
35th
While I appreciate a good dose of originality, that doesn't necessarily mean a film is good.
Rated 25 Jul 2007
95
85th
doesn't get much more awesome and original as this!
Rated 28 May 2022
85
67th
I'm not sure if they movie in my perception lived to the decades-old expectations I had towards it. I really loved the self-irony and breaking fourth wall, and the magic and post-modernist vibe and flow of the movie is something I really appreciate. It might just be one of those movie I'll have to rewatch in few years, even though right now I don't have a slightest wish to do so.
Rated 18 May 2008
100
92nd
Hey Malkovich, think fast! Perft in every way.
Rated 08 Jun 2009
70
63rd
Strange, Quirky, but for some reason, completely forgettable
Rated 12 Jul 2008
92
95th
So bizarre, original and amusing, I never wanted it to end.
Rated 04 Jul 2018
100
96th
There is nothing much to say really. Story is interesting. It never bores you. And hell it is not a fuckin comedy movie as criticker suggests it is. This movie is all about the philosophy. Would totally recommend anyone who likes thought-provoking movies. This isn't your one of the chill movies tho. Stay Malkovich people...
Rated 20 Sep 2010
87
96th
Fairly brilliant film works off its quirky script and excellent cast.
Rated 19 Jan 2013
40
4th
The only moment I really enjoyed was when Malkovich goes inside his own head. The ending was a bit too gross for me. Really gross. Couldn't relate to the characters, and normally I'm a really big Cusack fan. Worth a watch at least once.
Rated 04 Aug 2023
93
96th
audiovisual 100 acting 90 overall feeling 89 avg 93
Rated 20 Jul 2009
2
39th
Adaptation is a better Kaufman film, but this one is not bad. I felt it was drug down by its own weirdness. Mild recommendation if you like Kaufman or are just looking for something really different--it's very funny at times.

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