A fiercely original film from the mind of Charlie Kaufman

Rating: 7/10 (9 December 2008)

"Being John Malkovich" is a difficult film to describe. In it, a puppeteer-turned-office-worker discovers a door in his office that leads into the mind of actor John Malkovich. From that launching pad, screenwriter Charlie Kaufman takes us on a ride that is nothing if not original.
The cast turns out to be a pretty good one even though I'm usually not much of a fan of John Cusack or Cameron Diaz. Catherine Keener is the real standout, though, as her Oscar nomination shows. John Malkovich is also a good sport in the role he was born to play.
I've mentioned the film's striking originality. This proves to be a double-edged sword. While the bizarre premise makes this a film like no other the equally bizarre romances that result are somewhat difficult to relate to. So, while it's entertaining to watch there's a certain amount of emotional detachment which, for me, knocks the film down a notch.
It's worth noting that Charlie Kaufman nabbed the first of (so far) three Oscar nominations for his screenplay. Director Spike Jonze was also honored with an Oscar nomination though I don't think that I would have singled him out. The film is generally well made, though, with a mostly dreary look that suits the material but is unlikely to turn any heads.
If you're looking for something truly original, this film fits the bill. It certainly won't be to everybody's taste but it's worth watching to find out if it suits yours.