The ineffable weirdness of Being

reviewed 11 Nov 99 18:41:58 EST

This has certainly been a good season for off-beat, original films, and the wackiest, most innovative of them all is Being John Malkovich. The premise is that an under-employed puppeteer (a scruffy John Cusack) discovers a portal that leads to John Malkovich's head, then, after 15 minutes, spits him out into a ditch next to the New Jersey Turnpike. And then it gets weird.

To borrow the tagline from another film, no one can be told what Being John Malkovich is; you have to see it for yourself. And I do mean that: you should definitely see this film. It's hilarious, inventive, surreal, goofy, and odd. I know I can get Tiffany to see it just by mentioning that there's a monkey in it. The rest of you are just going to have to go on my recommendation.

Terrific performances from all involved: Cusack, a frumpy Cameron Diaz, a delightfully bitchy Catherine Keener, and especially Mr. Malkovich himself, in what had to be the most fitting, yet most foreign role he's ever played. Charlie Sheen, in an inspired bit of casting, has a hysterical cameo as Charlie Sheen.

And now, I wish I could write more, but Duke's first televised game of the season is about to begin. So, go see the movie, and GO DUKE!!!

Back to homepage
Reviews A to F
Reviews G to L
Reviews M to R
Reviews S to Z
Search