We Did'nt Get It (Being John Malkovich (DVD))

Member Name: sewbizzie

Product:	Being John Malkovich (DVD)
Date:	03/11/09 (61 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: some good acting

Disadvantages: strange storyline and one big Ego trip for Malkovich

Craig Schwartz is a puppeteer but as he is struggling for work his wife suggests that he looks for other work. He manages to get himself a job as a speed filer but it is in a strange place on the 7 ½ floor of a building. Craig soon discovers that the half floor is so that the company can keep overheads down! It is at work that he strikes up a friendship with Maxine and he for some reason is instantly attracted to her.

Craig is settling in at work and soon makes a startling discover. He finds a small door which is a portal into the mind of John Malkovich and allows him to experience his life for just 15 minutes before being thrown out. He talks to Maxine about it and they think this would be a brilliant money maker. Soon Craig is telling his wife and she too wants to experience this but things don't turn out as expected as she fells complete when she is a man and decides that she is actually trapped in the wrong body.

Soon Craig and Maxine are making a lot of money by selling the time in the portal to customers but how long can this continue for before John Malkovich realises what is happening and just how come the portal is there? Will Craig be able to sort his wife's head out and convince her that she does not want to be a man?

Well I know the plot sounds kind of strange but believe me the film is in fact completely strange and confusing. There is slightly more to the plot which I have not gone into as I don't want to give too much away for anyone who has not seen this film.

I personally found that the acting was probably the best part of the film. John Cusack played the role of Craig and I think he did a great job of playing a strange man who had no idea where his life was going and his obsession with puppets and performing was handled in a great way. He did bring an air of mystery to his character and I think we were not getting the whole picture from him. He worked well with Cameron Diaz who played the role of his wife and they had a good on screen presence despite their relationship being strained. Cameron Diaz was a crazy character who was obsessed with her animals. The marital home was full of them and she was trying to sort the psychiatric problems with her monkey out. I did find the addition fop the animals was slightly out of place and did not fit in with the film but at least it gave some indication as to the metal state of Craig and his wife.

The role of Maxine was a confusing one, not just for the viewer but for the actress who played her as she had no idea as to what she wanted in her love life and at times I found it a little disturbing to watch. There were a lot of supporting actors in the film and I think they did manage to bring a little depth to the story but not much at all.

The main man of the film had to be John Malkovich who played himself and I think he did a good job but for me the film was one big ego trip. I mean who would really want to spend 15 minutes in his mind and live his life, for me there are much better people I would want this to happen with. He did a good job with his character and at times was quite likable but for me I found it was quite a strange concept and big ego trip for the man.

The film was made in 1999 so is still quite new and so there was not much effort needed with the sets or the costumes and I found them to be all in keeping with the film and the year of production. The music which was used throughout the film was nothing special and none of the tracks were at all memorable. They did help with the setting of the scenes and the emotions needed but so much more could have been done with it.

The DVD which we have does have some bonus features which include:-

American Art and Culture Presents: John Malkovich, Dance of Despair and Disillusionment, Spike Jonze Interview,7 ½ Floor Orientation,4 TV Spots, Spike's Photo Album, Theatrical Trailer, Cast and Filmmakers Notes

I was so unimpressed with the film that I did not spend any more time watching these so cannot make comment on them.

The running time of this film is 1 hour and 48minutes and I personally found this was quite long enough and thought it could have perhaps been shortened and still not have lost anything. The certificate is a 15 and I do agree with this as there is some bad language and sex involved. We bought this DVD quite some time ago for around the £4 mark and I am so glad I did not waste any more money on it.

Overall I am not going to recommend this film as the storyline is very far fetched and the acting is not very good and personally it seemed one big ego trip for Mr John Malkovich. I would advise you spend you time on other films.

Summary: Craig finds a portal which allows him to be inside John Malkovich for 15 minutes