us using us

Rating: 6/10 (15 October 2000)

Although brilliantly funny and wonderfully acted by the title character (actor/character -- we have no clue if he actually is himself anymore), this film deceives in being bitingly cynical. Are we, honestly, so obsessed with not being ourselves that we could stoop to stealing the identities of others -- FOR REAL? Maybe so, but should film be about dictating what life IS or what life could be?
I honestly have no pity nor sympathy for any of the characters in this film, perhaps not even Malkovich himself as he falls for the manipulative witch played by Keener. It is a puppet show of dark humour, and we the unsuspecting children are engaged to watch it.
The ending truly is the final straw, being absolutely disgusting.

Let's face it, though. It is popular to tell society that we are all perverted at heart, in some form or another. Most of us already know this fact. It's when we get past our repression and let ourselves be who we are that we might feel like we are truly worth our own lives, and therefore, in my opinion, worth celluloid.
"...Malkovich" just wallows in its shadowy tunnel.