- Actors: John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, John Malkovich, Ned Bellamy
- Directors: Spike Jonze
- Writers: Charlie Kaufman
- Producers: Charlie Kaufman, Michael Kuhn, Michael Stipe, Sandy Stern, Steve Golin
- Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Colour, Dolby, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
- Language English
- Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
- Region: Region 1 (US and Canada DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9 - 1.85:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: R (Restricted) (US MPAA rating. See details.)
- Studio: Polygram USA Video
- DVD Release Date: 2 May 2000
- Run Time: 112 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
- ASIN: 6305807086
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 101,164 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Reviews
Amazon.co.uk Review
While too many films suffer the fate of creative bankruptcy, Being John Malkovich is a refreshing study in contrast, so bracingly original that you'll want to send director Spike Jonze and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman a thank-you note for restoring your faith in the enchantment of film. Even if it ultimately serves little purpose beyond the thrill of comedic invention, this demented romance is gloriously entertaining, spilling over with ideas that tickle the brain and even touch the heart. That's to be expected in a movie that dares to ponder the existential dilemma of a forlorn puppeteer (John Cusack) who discovers a metaphysical portal into the brain of actor John Malkovich.
The puppeteer takes a job working as a file clerk on the seventh-and-a-half floor of a Manhattan office building; this idea alone might serve as the comedic basis for an entire film, but Jonze and Kaufman are just getting started. Add a devious co-worker (Catherine Keener), Cusack's dowdy wife (a barely recognisable Cameron Diaz), and a business scheme to capitalise on the thrill of being John Malkovich, and you've got a movie that just gets crazier as it plays by its own outrageous rules. Malkovich himself is the film's pièce de résistance, playing on his own persona with obvious delight and--when he enters his own brain via the portal--appearing with multiple versions of himself in a tour-de-force use of digital trickery. Does it add up to much? Not really. But for 112 liberating minutes, Being John Malkovich is a wild place to visit. --Jeff Shannon
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Blu-ray
THE FILM
The film itself is brilliant, there's no doubt about it. Original, funny, thought-provoking. The direction from Spike Jonze is flawless, as is Charlie Kaufman's script.
It's all been said before and there's not much point in repeating it, so I'll just say: it's a must-see.
THE DISC
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the Blu-Ray.
As is often the case with Universal's catalogue titles, quite a lot of Edge Enhancement has been applied to the film.
Because of this, there are noticeable (and distracting) halos around objects, which give the film a slightly digital and artificial look.
It also appears that DNR was used where it was not necessarily needed but it's not as obvious the EE.
Other than that, the transfer looks reasonably good, especially considering the film's murky colour palette.
On a more positive note, the DTS-HD MA soundtrack is solid and immersing.
While this release looks better than its DVD counterpart, it could have been more than just that without the unnecessary tinkering with the original film print.
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-
Available audio tracks: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French, Italian, German, Spanish DTS 5.1
Available subtitles: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Cantonese, Dutch, Greek, Icelandic, Korean, Portuguese, Traditional Mandarin
The film itself is brilliant, there's no doubt about it. Original, funny, thought-provoking. The direction from Spike Jonze is flawless, as is Charlie Kaufman's script.
It's all been said before and there's not much point in repeating it, so I'll just say: it's a must-see.
THE DISC
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about the Blu-Ray.
As is often the case with Universal's catalogue titles, quite a lot of Edge Enhancement has been applied to the film.
Because of this, there are noticeable (and distracting) halos around objects, which give the film a slightly digital and artificial look.
It also appears that DNR was used where it was not necessarily needed but it's not as obvious the EE.
Other than that, the transfer looks reasonably good, especially considering the film's murky colour palette.
On a more positive note, the DTS-HD MA soundtrack is solid and immersing.
While this release looks better than its DVD counterpart, it could have been more than just that without the unnecessary tinkering with the original film print.
-
-
Available audio tracks: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French, Italian, German, Spanish DTS 5.1
Available subtitles: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Japanese, Cantonese, Dutch, Greek, Icelandic, Korean, Portuguese, Traditional Mandarin
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This film was one that i was reluctant to watch, it looked very dark and quite complex. It was dark and it was complex, but it was very entertaining, witty and moving in places. I found myself really feeling the characters emotions. Its a great story that is well executed by the cinematic techniques, the acting and the imaginative set (floor 7 1/2). Ok its not for everyone, but i recommend you rent it first so you can make up your mind, give it a chance.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Written by Charlie Kaufman, this film is a true original. Being John Malkovich follows a small group of people who discover a portal that leads into the mind of John Malkovich, where people can see through Malkovich's eyes for 15 minutes before being dumped by the New Jersey turnpike. They set up a business charging people for the experience - and that's when the film starts to get really weird... This is a must-see.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Wonderful movie by Charlie Kaufman
Very original. You never know what's going to happen next. Wonderful actors (even John Malkovitch, who can be annoying). Read more
Published 4 months ago by Marie France
Ademas esta en castellano
Laberinto surrealista, poema visual, comedia ácida y mordaz, drama sobre la incomprensión, etc. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Blu-ray Castellano
Great, thought-provoking movie!
Hard to not like this film, and even if you don't, you will be entertained. Ever want to be someone else?
Published 7 months ago by Thierry Henry
Must-see, not must-buy
Enjoyable and finely-tuned, this comedy about entering the life of John Malkovich via a secret portal, surely is something entirely fresh and unseen. Read more
Published 16 months ago by J. S. Yamada
watching john malkovich
Being John Malkovich despite its title actor John Malkovich isnt the first of the charcters to be introduced. Read more
Published 18 months ago by crow 1.9.9.5
to think or not to think
If you are tired of conventional media and mainstream film and TV, Being John Malkovich will offer something different. It is fun, unconventional, original and unusual. Read more
Published 20 months ago by John Mullen
Quirky and Beautifully Crafted
Subtle but bizarre, Being John Malkovich is a modern day classic for the thinking person.
Published on 1 Jan 2010 by Ms. S. E. Latham
US Film
I used to wonder how multiplicity in the work place came about, not after this film. Illustrative really, it'll metaphorically open your mind to the reality of modern day organised... Read more
Published on 28 Aug 2009 by WJR
Strange, Yet Compelling
If I asked you to name 3 John Malcovich movies, could you just recite them? I know personally I couldn't, so why was a man, who isn't that famous in the UK have a parody made... Read more
Published on 22 July 2009 by DL Productions UK
Profoundly odd...but compelling. But why John Malkovich?
This movie is quite possibly the oddest thing that makes sense you'll ever see. You see unlike some David Lynch films there is actually a story that doesnt fall apart into... Read more
Published on 22 July 2009 by K. Maloney
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