A complex of fundamental social desires put in a kafkaesque setting

Rating: 10/10 (30 September 2014)

'Being John Malkovich' outlines fundamental desires and problems that our modern society is dealing with, catching out the observer by confronting him with moral taboos. Main difficulties are regarding voyeurism, immortality, identity and sexual covetousness. The whole movie is an evolution starting with voyeurism in general to voyeurism in its strongest occurrence concerning real prominent persons in particular. It then raises questions of identity, who we want to be and how we can achieve what we desire, just to open out and close with the deep human wish of immortality paired with its negative side of endlessness. Along the way 'Being John Malkovich' puts this in a surreal and kafkaesque setting. This excelling movie is often underrated by the audience, while still being above the ordinary. The high potential rooted in the plot takes time to emerge and therefore needs to be watched at least twice.