An offbeat success

Rating: 8/10 (19 September 2004)

Offbeat is hardly the word for this truly unique production. An out-of-place marionette maker and master is forced to take other work in a weird decidedly surrealistic office and discovers a portal into the mind of the actor John Malkovich. As he shares this discovery with others in his life, a whole series of events mushrooms which asks myriad questions of identity, gender, relationships, and age. A real John Malkovich and pal Charlie Sheen play themselves, although John is not necessarily living his 'real' life. A menagerie of other characters make those in The World According to Garp look mundanely normal. There are plenty of loose ends, but at times this satirical, genre-defying film borders on greatness. It's definitely a worthwhile watch for those who ponder.