The bad economy and the growing cynicism of average New Yorkers toward the art of puppeteering take their toll on NYC street artist Craig Schwartz ("High Fidelity's" John Cusack). Forced by his worsening financial situation and the nagging of his wife Lotte (an unrecognizable Cameron Diaz with the most unappealing hair/make-up to ever appear on-screen) to look for a better paying and more stable job, Craig lands a gig as a filing clerk at Lestercorp in the Merchant Plummer Building (610 11th Ave. - NYC, NY 10012). Lestercorp is located in the 7 ½ floor though (between the 7th and 8th floor), which means everything is half-sized and inconvenient for average-sized folks like Craig, his co-worker and potential love interest Maxine (Catherine Keener) and their boss, Dr. Lester ("To Tell the Truth" TV show panelist Orson Bean).
All that changes when Craig accidentally discovers behind a cabinet a small door that leads to a tunnel. This tunnel leads to a powerful force that sucks those that get closer to its end into... actor John Horatio Malkovich's head! For 15 minutes Craig sees, hears, feels and experiences things from inside John Malkovich's head (right down to the point-of-view shot into a mirror) before the tunnel sucks him back and dumps him into... a landfill next to the New Jersey Turnpike! After trying it a couple of more times to make sure it's for real Craig shows his secret to both his wife Lotte and his co-worker Maxine. His entrepreneurial instincts kick in, and Craig is soon making a pretty dime by charging interested parties and curious folks for the privilege of experiencing 15 minutes of their life through the vicarious thrill of being John Malkovich. Unfortunately the experience of being inside Malkovich's head also changes Lotte in such a profound way that she wants to undergo a sex change operation (don't ask). And what about the gate itself? Who put it there? Why can it take people into the subconscious of a well-known but not-quite-a-household-name celebrity like Malkovich? And what can happen when (if?) Malkovich becomes aware that his head has become a bustling tourist attraction?
Movie critic Roger Ebert once told a story about how his then-partner, Gene Siskel, approached him at the end of their screening of the 1997 Ethan & Joel Cohen movie "Fargo." He grabbed him by the arm while still sitting, Ebert recalls, and murmured into his ear something to the effect of 'This is why we go to the movies'. We've all been spoiled by a million and one romantic comedies, action flicks, horror films and dramas to laugh, cry, be angry and/or get excited in unison. But "Being John Malkovich" is different in that it creates in its first-time viewers a sense of discovery and adventure at not knowing where the unpredictable ride is taking them. Yes, they will laugh at the same time everyone else does (and for the same reasons), but the first time one watches "Being John Malkovich" is such a genuine jolt that one has to savor and treasure the moment. It's like being shown what originality in a comedy is, which means the first time movie audiences saw someone take a pie in the face (or trip over a garden hose).
Once scene in particular (Ch.22), showing to us what it would be like if John Malkovich (played with unflappable timing by himself) went into a tunnel that led into his own mind, had me and my friend Rich literally on the edge of our seats in anticipation. When was the last time you went to see a comedy that created a situation so new, unexpected and surprising that you were hanging to every word and moment of build-up in anticipation of what was about to come? The climax of this scene will make the words 'Malkovich, Malkovich, Malkovich' everyday slang words between you and your "Being John Malkovich"-loving friends, as will be many other classic moments (loud or subtle, gesticulated or articulated) throughout the second-funniest movie of 1999 (after "South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut"). Performances are on the money by everyone involved (I loved seeing Orson Bean can still dish the funny as well as he did back in the golden age of panel game shows), but the true stars of the film are its director (Spike Jonez) and screenwriter (Charlie Kaufman). Seldom has the phrase 'From the creators of...' ensured the courtesy of a screening from my end as "Adaptation's" tag line, 'From the creators of "Being John Malkovich"'. Enough said, mmkay?
The Disc:
Released by Universal Studios (the parent company of USA Films and Gramercy) back in early 2000, "Being John Malkovich's" Widescreen Anamorphic (1:85:1) Video Transfer and English Dolby Digital 5.1 & 2.0 Surround Audio Tracks hold remarkably well. While the picture won't impress anyone (flesh tones and natural colors that are deliberately toned down, minimal artifacting and an occasional spec of dirt are constant companions) the 5.1 mix simulates the muffled distortions, directional panning and other similar noises one would hear if he/she were actually inside John Malkovich's head. This only happens whenever a character in the flick goes into the tunnel that leads into Malkovich's mind, and is a surreal listening experience. The audio outside of Malkovich's head, as expected, is just serviceable but clearly audible dialogue, Foley effects and Carter Burwell's serviceable (and quite playful) music score. English, French and Spanish Subtitles are also included.
The absence of a commentary track for this movie is a major disappointment (ditto for the "Adaptation" Superbit DVD we're also reviewing today). In its place we have few but equally demented bonus material that is as playful with the DVD owners as the movie was with moviegoers. Besides the Theatrical Trailer there are four TV Spots (three of which are so odd I have to question whether they were actually aired!), and in-depth Cast & Filmmakers section, An Interview with Spike Jonez (very funny) and Spike's Photo Album (on-the-set pictures of the director with cast & crew). Things take a turn for the weird with 7 ½ Floor Orientation (an expanded version of the video John Cusack's character is shown in the movie), they peak with the ridiculous 'Don't Look Here, There's Nothing Here' Link (believe me when I tell you this is a self-explanatory feature!) and culminates with three surreal-in-their-ridiculousness featurettes: An Intimate Portrait of the Art of Background Driving (don't ask!), An Intimate Portrait of the Art of Puppeteering and, last but certainly not least (but I really do mean it this time! :-P), American Arts and Culture Presents: John Horatio Malkovich Dance of Despair and Disillusionment. Fine filler stuff, but where the hell is my commentary track? I want a commentary track, I want a commentary track... buuuuhahahahaha... Professor Lyndstrom!.
bottom line:
Not even the recently-released "Adaptation" (a star-studded follow-up by the same writer/director team) can stand-up to the brilliance, inspired lunacy and utter charm that emanates from every well-thought scene, frame and joke in this 1999 comedy. "Being John Malkovich" is a modern-day classic, and the bonus material in this commentary-less DVD ('Don't Enter Here. There's Nothing Here.') is decent but leaves one aching for more. A steal for the discount $8-12 price at which most DVD stores are selling this modern-day Rosetta Stone of motion picture creativity.
By - J.M. Vargas
1/2
