Being John Malkovich

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Being John Malkovich

R

1999

1h 52m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

133 Reviews

87%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

In this quirky cult-favorite comedy, unemployed New York City puppeteer Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) reluctantly takes a temp job as a filing clerk for the eccentric Dr. Lester (Orson Bean). While at work, Craig discovers a portal that leads into the mind of renowned actor John Malkovich. When he lets his attractive co-worker Maxine (Catherine Keener) in on the secret, they begin both an unusual business scheme and an odd relationship that involves Craig's restless wife, Lotte (Cameron Diaz).

Critics Consensus

Smart, funny, and highly original, Being John Malkovich supports its wild premise with skillful direction and a stellar ensemble cast.

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

08/30/2019

4.5/5

Kaufman and Jonze steer us through a truly twisted psychological and existential swamp.

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David Germain

Associated Press

06/12/2018

Fabulously funny and delightfully disturbed, "Being John Malkovich'' is the ultimate voyeur movie, a dark and at times malevolent take on what it's like to be in someone else's skull, looking out.

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Chris Chang

Film Comment Magazine

03/22/2018

The beauty of the film is the way it elevates John Malkovich from an actor to an axiom.

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

06/07/2024

5/5

The fact that it manages to carry its open-mouthed audience through every awesomely enigmatic turn is its greatest accomplishment.

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Chuck Klosterman

Akron Beacon Journal

10/30/2023

4/4

It sometimes seems like there is more legitimate creativity in [Malkovich] than there's been in almost every other movie released this year. The script is completely insane and consistently brilliant, and it's funny on almost every level imaginable.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

04/08/2023

... a devastatingly funny portrait of unhappiness, desperation, desire, and the vicious things we do for love...

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Zach F.

@kenpowerz May 12

A film that will make you constantly ask “How?” or “What if?”, then immediately answer you in a fulfilling fashion. This twister of a movie, keeps the interest going through the entire 113 minutes. Every time you think you know what type of movie this is it throws you for another loop. A must watch

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Mickey B.

@Mickerdoo May 11

Ultra unique scenario. I just wish they’d maybe done something else with the opportunity. But a delightful leap.

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Angello D

@CriticAngelo Mar 8

Liked it overall, but it felt too long and a bit too absurd at times. I don’t mind some absurdity, just not that much. I had mixed feelings about it. I did laugh and enjoyed parts of it, but it’s definitely kind of crazy. The romantic part was a little too bizarre for me. It felt like watching a dream. I understood the movie fine though. It wasn’t really intellectually challenging for me.

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Collin L.

@ihatethemoviebeingjohnmalkovich Feb 17

Only good thing about it is the directing. I want my 1:55 minutes of my life back

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Mina C

@RT54658755 Nov 24

There's something fantastically proto-Internet about this romantic-dramedy of flop-sweat desperation, role-playing, simulation and eccentric, niche-culture behaviour-a world of virtual-reality escapes, alter egos, sexual fetishes and rabbit-hole trips.

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Demetris A

@RT47166951 Nov 8

The average. My opinion is average. The idea is to be blunt. So here it is. This new Rotten Tomatoes APP they are pushing on us, well, it sax.

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Spike Jonze

Director

John Cusack

Craig Schwartz

Cameron Diaz

Lotte Schwartz

Catherine Keener

Maxine Lund

Orson Bean

Dr. Lester

Mary Kay Place

Floris

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Dance of Despair and Disillusionment

2:14

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Craig's Escape From Malkovich

2:13

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - John Malkovich Becomes a Puppeteer

2:11

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Malkovich Inside Malkovich

2:14

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Malkovich Discovers J.M. Inc.

2:13

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Malkovich Gets Paranoid

1:38

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Sad Man Becomes John Malkovich

2:11

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - Craig Wins a Date With Maxine

2:10

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - 7 1/2 Floor Orientation

2:13

Being John Malkovich: Official Clip - The Speech Impediment

2:23

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Synopsis

In this quirky cult-favorite comedy, unemployed New York City puppeteer Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) reluctantly takes a temp job as a filing clerk for the eccentric Dr. Lester (Orson Bean). While at work, Craig discovers a portal that leads into the mind of renowned actor John Malkovich. When he lets his attractive co-worker Maxine (Catherine Keener) in on the secret, they begin both an unusual business scheme and an odd relationship that involves Craig's restless wife, Lotte (Cameron Diaz).

Director: Spike Jonze
Producer: Steve Golin, Vincent Landay, Sandy Stern, Michael Stipe
Screenwriter: Charlie Kaufman
Distributor: USA Films
Production Co: Propaganda Films, Single Cell Pictures, Gramercy Pictures
Rating: R (Sexuality|Language)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 29, 1999, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.9M
Runtime: 1h 52m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)