Just terrible

Rating: 1/10 (26 February 2000)

Hailed as one of the best movies of the year and even by some as one of the best in the decade, "Being John Malkovich" feels more like it was barely given any effort at all. The film begins somewhat quirky and almost promising, and the viewer knows it is in for something very different. The premise also has to be given credit for originality, dealing with people being transported into the mind of John Malkovich. But it is all down hill after the first twenty minutes. Ridiculous in it's pace, the film is trying to create a new genre, but fails miserably. It also constantly dares the viewer to accept this bizarre land, and toys with their head. It almost makes the viewer feel they have to like it, because if they don't then they aren't open-minded or intelligent enough to live. When really the script is just stupid. The premise goes nowhere and all the seemingly great ideas proposed fall flat and are dull. Not to spoil, but the idea proposed of what would happen if Malkovich tried to enter his own head is the most disappointing of all. And Jonze's direction is as flat and bland as sugar-less cotton candy. The actor's are all forced to act like idiots, instead of molding and creating a character. All of the stars are talented, but their time is wasted with Jonze who is just trying to be too hip for his own good. So in the end,the viewer is left with a story that went no where and an almost acidic trip into nothingness. It seems today's critics are trying to appear on an elevated level, far more intelligent than the common man, by loving this film. While a dud like "Drop Dead Fred" had more charm than this garbage.