Being John Malkovich
Being John Malkovich is a 1999 American surrealist fantasy comedy drama film directed by Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman, both making their feature film debut. The film stars John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, and Catherine Keener, with John Malkovich as a satirical version of himself. Cusack plays a puppeteer who finds a portal that leads into Malkovich's mind.
Plot
Craig Schwartz is an unemployed puppeteer in New York City, in a forlorn marriage with his pet-obsessed wife, Lotte. He finds work as a file clerk for the eccentric Dr. Lester in the Mertin-Flemmer building, on a floor between the 7th and 8th, where the ceiling is very low. He develops an attraction to co-worker Maxine Lund, who does not return his affections. While filing, Craig discovers a small hidden door. He crawls through it into a tunnel and finds himself inside the mind of actor John Malkovich. After about 15 minutes, Craig is ejected, landing on the side of the New Jersey Turnpike. He tells Maxine about the door, and she realizes they can sell the experience for profit.
More details
author | Charlie Kaufman |
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director | Spike Jonze |
editor | Eric Zumbrunnen |
genre | comedy-drama fantasy |
keywords | build ceiling charlie sheen discover file file clerk force group of friends hidden door land move multiplicity new jersey new jersey turnpike new york city obsess set up seven years system transgender trap unemployed |
musicBy | Carter Burwell |
productionCompany | Gramercy Pictures Propaganda Films |
publisher | BBFC PolyGram Filmed Entertainment Seagram Universal Pictures USA Films Variety |
theme | independent lgbt-related magic realism surreal |