Psych-Out Cinema: BEING JOHN MALKOVICH (1999)

BEING JOHN MALKOVICH is one of the most imaginative, weird, surreal and creative movies ever made. The film premiered in 1999, directed by Spike Jonez and written by Charlie Kaufman, both making their movie debuts. The picture features an all star cast that includes John Malkovich, John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, Charlie Sheen and special cameos from Sean Penn and Brad Pitt.

 

 

Upon release, the film opened to both critical and financial success, earning 3 Academy Award nominations for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress for Catherine Keener. Famed critic Roger Ebert named it best film of 1999, a year that included EYES WIDE SHUT, THE MATRIX, FIGHT CLUB, THE SIXTH SENSE and AMERICAN BEAUTY.

 

 

The plot develops around an out of work puppeteer played by Cusack, who finds a job on the 7th and half floor of a New York city office building. While there, he discovers a portal behind a filing cabinet that leads into the mind of actor John Malkovich. It’s then that the bizarre fun and absurd adventures begin.

 

 

This crazy masterpiece is filled with strange twists and dark comedy and is a perfect fit for psych-out cinema and all movie lovers of the non conventional.