“Being John Malkovich” is a 1999 darkly comedic and surreal film directed by Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman. The film explores identity, consciousness, and the human desire for connection and control.
The story centers on Craig Schwartz (John Cusack), a struggling puppeteer living in New York City with his pet-obsessed wife, Lotte (Cameron Diaz). Craig is disillusioned with his lack of success and his mundane life. Desperate for a steady job, he takes a position as a file clerk on the mysterious 7½ floor of the Mertin-Flemmer Building, a bizarre office space with low ceilings.
At his new job, Craig becomes infatuated with his alluring and enigmatic co-worker, Maxine Lund (Catherine Keener). Maxine remains indifferent and uninterested in Craig despite his awkward attempts to win her affection.
One day, while filing papers, Craig discovers a hidden door behind a filing cabinet. Intrigued, he enters the door and is sucked into a tunnel that transports him into the mind of actor John Malkovich (played by himself). For 15 minutes, Craig experiences life through Malkovich’s eyes before being ejected onto the side of the New Jersey Turnpike. Excited by this discovery, Craig shares it with Lotte, who becomes equally fascinated and addicted to the experience.
Craig and Lotte reveal the portal to Maxine, who sees a business opportunity. They start a company offering people the chance to be John Malkovich for $200 a session. The business quickly becomes successful, attracting clients eager to escape their lives.
As the story progresses, a complicated love triangle develops. Lotte, who has experienced the portal and felt a strong connection while inside Malkovich’s body, realizes she is in love with Maxine. Maxine, who is only interested in Lotte when she inhabits Malkovich, begins an affair with “Malkovich-Lotte.” Meanwhile, Craig’s obsession with Maxine grows, leading him to discover that he can manipulate Malkovich’s actions inside the actor’s mind.
Driven by jealousy and desperation, Craig takes control of Malkovich’s body for an extended period. He uses Malkovich’s fame and talent to achieve his dream of becoming a renowned puppeteer. However, his dominance over Malkovich leads to a breakdown of the actor’s sense of self, pushing Malkovich to the brink of insanity.
The film takes a further twist when it is revealed that Craig’s employer, Dr. Lester (Orson Bean), is actually the leader of a group of elderly people who have discovered the secret of immortality by inhabiting new bodies. Dr. Lester plans to use the portal to enter Malkovich and live on with his companions. Knowing he is losing control of the situation, Craig fights to retain his power over Malkovich.
In the climax, Craig is ultimately forced out of Malkovich’s body. The actor regains control of his life but with a lingering trauma from the experience. Craig finds himself trapped inside the mind of Emily, the daughter of Lotte and Maxine, condemned to a passive existence while helplessly watching the lives of the people he loves unfold without him.
“Being John Malkovich” blends absurdity, dark humor, and profound philosophical questions to create a cinematic experience that challenges perceptions of identity and the human psyche.
The Other Cinema 