FORMAT: BLU-RAY | CERT: 15 | DIRECTOR: SPIKE JONZE | SCREENPLAY: CHARLIE KAUFMAN | STARRING: JOHN CUSACK, JOHN MALKOVICH, CAMERON DIAZ, CATHERINE KEENER | RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW
Ever wanted to be someone else?
This is the rhetorical question that has been immortalised in this hyper-surreal comedy classic, directed by Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman. Being John Malkovich, now in its 20th anniversary, has been given a lush new Blu-ray release.
Being John Malkovich focuses on unemployed street puppeteer Craig Schwarz (Cusack), who resorts to taking a job at a filing company in order to make ends meet. In between the tedious job and attempts to gain the attention of co-worker Maxine (Keener), Craig discovers a hidden door at work; behind that door is a route directly into the mind of actor John Malkovich (as played by Malkovich himself) for fifteen minutes before transporting the visitor onto the New Jersey Turnpike. Craig then shares his discovery with Maxine and his wife Lotte (Diaz), resulting in the situation getting even weirder (yes, really!).
The best surrealism is the type that comes across with complete normality; Being John Malkovich certainly falls into this criteria. Everything from Craig working on floor 7 ½ (with its lowered ceilings), via Dr. Lester (Bean), who thinks no one can understand what he is saying, and his assistant Floris who doesn’t understand what anyone is saying, to the ultimate philosophical question of what happens when Malkovich enters the door to his own mind, this film constantly keeps the audience engaged, encouraging us to “just go with it”. Yet it still conveys the jealousy and mystery in the relationships between characters and story brilliantly, largely because of its superb cast. In addition to them, also watch out for cameos from Charlie Sheen, Sean Penn, director David Fincher, and Academy Award-winner Octavia Spencer in an early role.
Film aside, this bumper Blu-Ray edition comes with lots of extras, including commentaries from Spike Jonze and fellow fan of the surreal, director Michel Gondry. There’s also interviews with Malkovich and Jonze, a feature on puppeteering, and the 7 ½ floor orienteering video in full. It’s good to see the movie given the celebration and recognition it deserves.
