A pathetic, confusing and above all disturbing mess...

Rating: 2/10 (9 August 2006)

Ugh. What an absolutely overrated film. Firstly, it's strange. And secondly, it's not funny...except one scene where a motorist throws an empty beer can at John Malkovich's head (that got me laughing).
It's the sort of film that critics rant and rave about, though really I can't see why. A man discovers a 'portal' (it's more like a tunnel really) into John Malkovich's head and uses him as a puppet to, among other things, have sex with this co-worker of his. But it turns out that a group of body-jumping Scientology-types need his body to continue living, and the man may be forced to give it all up...
Or something. Who cares. The plot to this movie was possibly lost in the before-mentioned tunnel. Because, really, there's nothing that memorable about this film. John Malkovich as John Malkovich is rather humdrum (except for the fact he's fun to watch and has a handful of good lines). John Cusack and Catherine Keener are both average actors, and neither of them turns in a particularly likable performance. Charlie Kaufman is a talented writer and did wonders with 'Adaptation', but this film just isn't worth the hype. Original, yes, but funny? No. Rewatchability? Zero. It feels like a porno, and probably wouldn't of even got a mention if it had been, say, "Being Ice Cube".
What a waste...