Directed by: Ridley Scott
Released: 1991
Country: United States
Genre: Adventure, Crime, Drama
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
''Thelma & Louise'' is such a great movie! I loved every minute of it.
Louise Sawyer (played by Susan Sarandon) is a waitress and her friend Thelma Dickinson (played by Geena Davis) is a homemaker who isn't exactly close to her husband. They go on a road trip, wanting to take a break from their everyday lives. On the way, they stop at a bar, where a man attempts to rape Thelma. Louise rushes to her rescue, but when the man refuses to apologize and rather insults Thelma, Louise shoots him. Refusing to go to the police, Louise decides to drive to Mexico. On their way, however, they come across more and more hurdles and face them with heroism.
The titular characters, Thelma and Louise are such great protagonists! I loved their heroism. I grew to care for these two characters over the course of the film! Both Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis are amazing in their roles. I loved their bond, their friendship! I loved the way they learn to stand up against the injustices committed towards them. Their friendship and the experience and ordeals they share over the course of the film culminate in an iconic ending.
Besides Sarandon and Davis, memorable supporting characters are played by Harvey Keitel (who plays Louise's boyfriend) and a young Brad Pitt (who plays a cowboy Thelma and Louise come across on their way). Keitel and Pitt are great in their roles as well.
''Thelma & Louise'' is an excellently written and acted film. I loved it. I loved the titular characters, their friendship and their depth. I loved the screenplay. The ending left me speechless.
Directed by: Sam Mendes
Released: 1999
Country: United States
Genre: Drama
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
Very few films can portray the hollowness of existence as eloquently as ''American Beauty'' does. The protagonist, Lester Burnham (played by Kevin Spacey) is a frustrated advertising executive. He finds no pleasure, no reason to live for. His wife, Carolyn (played by Annette Bening) is a real estate broker. Carolyn is very ambitious and career-oriented and becomes extremely devastated whenever things don't go according to her plans in her career. Their daughter, Jane (played by Thora Birch), doesn't have a close bond with either of her parents. She, as it appears, is frustrated too. When Lester meets Jane's best friend Angela (played by Mena Suvari), he becomes infatuated with her, with Jane finding it creepy, causing it to develop more aversion on her part towards her father. A family moves in next door- the family consists of the homophobic Colonel Frank Fitts (played by Chris Cooper), his wife Barbara (played by Allison Janney) and their son Ricky (played by Wes Bentley). Ricky carries his video camera around and Jane discovers that he has been recording her.
All these people suffer from emptiness, hollowness and despair. Even the characters who initially seem happy are devastated inside, as several secrets are revealed over the course of the film.
''American Beauty'' has a sophisticated melody of its own. The way Kevin Spacey narrates the film, the excellent screenplay and the gorgeous cinematography give it a strange beauty. The film is about people who are unhappy, people who aren't satisfied with their lives at all and the frustration of the characters whose lives become interlinked eventually results in tragedy.
There is opportunity for happiness is all around but people fail to realize it over and over again. Some aren't happy with what they get, some aren't happy with the kind of lives they are leading. The thing that matters the most in life is happiness and one has to search for that happiness instead of giving in to frustration. Emptiness is such a horrible thing and one has to find ways to get rid of that emptiness.
The characters we meet in ''American Beauty'' aren't exactly the kind of characters you can get to love. But at the same time they are characters you feel sympathy for, because of their visible frustration. It is an extremely thought-provoking film.
Directed by: Mike Leigh
Released: 1990
Country: United Kingdom
Genre: Comedy-drama
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Review
''Life Is Sweet'' is a lovely little film written and directed by Mike Leigh. The film tells the story of a working class family consisting of a couple, Andy (played by Jim Broadbent) and Wendy (played by Alison Steadman) and their twin daughters Nicola (Jane Horrocks) and Natalie (Claire Skinner). Andy and Wendy are hardworking, happy and optimistic, and so is Natalie, who works as a plumber but loves her job. The only one who is different among them is Nicola. Nicola hardly leaves the house and she is hardly, if ever, happy. In spite of her rather bad behavior at times, the other three members of the family deal with her patiently and lovingly. The film takes place over the course of a few days and tells the story of the family.
I fell in love with Mike Leigh's films after I watched ''Secrets & Lies'' back in 2012. Even today, I consider ''Secrets & Lies'' one of my all-time favorite films. The best thing about his films is that they are very character-driven and the characters are developed with care and depth. ''Life Is Sweet'', Leigh's third feature film, tells the simple story of a simple family. At times, I wondered where the film was heading to. I got my answer in due time. The climax consists of an encounter between Nicola and her mother Wendy and this encounter results in a revelation that changed my perception of the film. This one revelation was powerful enough to make the entire film very memorable.
''Life Is Sweet'' is a sweet little film, well-written and well-acted, but I thought it could have developed its characters more. I mean, the characters are very well-developed indeed, but had the film been a bit longer (and perhaps more focus on the interactions among the family members and less focus on the antics of the family friend), then perhaps I could really, really care for them. However, I enjoyed spending time with them and some of them were really sweet- particularly Andy and Wendy. Their optimism and cheerfulness really touched me. Broadbent, Steadman, Horrocks and Skinner are great in their roles, and Timothy Spall appears as a friend of the family, a funny character, and David Thewlis appears too, playing a small role.
Although not as great as Leigh's ''Secrets & Lies'' and ''Vera Drake'', it is a very good film, a moving film.
Directed by: Anthony Minghella
Released: 1999
Country: United States
Genre: Psychological thriller, Crime, Drama
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
The protagonist of ''The Talented Mr. Ripley'' is also the titular character. Tom Ripley, played by Matt Damon, is hired by the wealthy Herbert Greenleaf (James Rebhorn), who asks him to travel to Italy and try to convince his son, Dickie Greenleaf (played by Jude Law) to come back to the United States. Dickie is spoiled and lives off his allowance, not interested to make anything of his life. Tom travels to Italy, where he meets Dickie and his girlfriend Marge (played by Gwyneth Paltrow). He becomes good friends with the two of them and Dickie comes up with a plan: they will use the money that Mr. Greenleaf sends Tom to indulge in more luxuries. Very soon, Tom gets very close to Dickie and Marge and over the course of time he becomes very obsessed with the privileged lifestyle led by Dickie and also with Dickie and his identity- something that eventually leads to disastrous consequences.
Well, I could assume that Tom would cause something disastrous from the time he reaches Italy and runs into heiress Meredith Logue (played by Cate Blanchett). He tells Meredith that he is Dickie Greenleaf. I could assume that things will eventually go very wrong, which they indeed did.
''The Talented Mr. Ripley'' is very suspenseful, very thrilling. Tom's lies and crimes cause him to get involved in more crimes and lies. He makes a great villain indeed. Matt Damon is fascinating in his role, making Tom look creepier and creepier as the movies goes on, ultimately culminating in an unpredictable ending.
The entire cast is really good: Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow and Cate Blanchett, with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Jack Davenport playing important supporting roles. They all deliver great performances. The film is very well-written and besides being intense and suspenseful, it is a very good-looking film with beautiful cinematography. In short, it is a brilliant.
Directed by: Pedro Almodóvar
Released: 1999
Country: Spain
Genre: Drama
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
Oh, it is always such a great experience to watch a Pedro Almodovar film. It really is. ''All About My Mother'' is a film that displays perfection and beauty all through. I really, really, really loved it.
Cecilia Roth plays Manuela, the protagonist of the film ''All About My Mother''. Manuela is a nurse. She lives in Madrid and is a single mother and is very close to her teenage son, Esteban, played by Eloy Azorin. Manuela and Esteban share almost everything with each other, although Manuela has never told Esteban about his father. The two of them seem to have a perfect life until tragedy strikes one night: Esteban is killed in a car accident. Manuela is heartbroken and devastated, but decides to travel to Barcelona, find Esteban's father, and tell him the news. Esteban's father had never known about the existence of Esteban. However, upon reaching Barcelona, Manuela discovers that Esteban's father has disappeared, but she reunites with an old friend, Agrado (played by Antonia San Juan), who happens to be transsexual. She also meets Rosa, played by the lovely Penelope Cruz. Rosa is a nun who loves to help people in need- and then unfortunately, she finds herself in a difficult situation and Manuela takes her in and cares for her. Also present in the story is Huma, played by Marisa Paredes. Huma is a famous actress of whom Esteban used to be a great fan. Manuela, Rosa, Agrado, and Huma- all having faced difficulties and tragedies in life- form close bonds with one another.
The best thing about Almodovar's films is that he deeply cares for his characters. His films are character-driven, very much so. He makes sure that the characters we see are realistic. I came to love and appreciate all the major characters- Manuela, Agrado, Rosa and Huma. They are made so real, so lovable.
''All About My Mother'' is also about maternal love. Although Manuela learns to move on, we can see clearly how her life has deeply been impacted by the loss of her son, that no matter what happens in her life, she can never forget those seventeen beautiful years she spent with her son, and her son's memories help her to face life even after the heartbreaking tragedy. Huma, the actress, feels a strong affection for Manuela's son, and in this we can also see maternal affection reflected. Rosa loves the child she is carrying. Mother's love is a persistent theme throughout the movie.
''All About My Mother'' is not a bleak film. There is plenty of tragedy but Almodovar makes sure that the tragedies do not cast a dark shadow over the film. The effects of the tragedies remain in the film but the characters are so very lively and realistic that although their lives are deeply impacted and scarred by the tragedies they face, they still know how to move on. There is plenty of sadness in the film, but there is plenty of humor and liveliness. Almodovar's characters are very real characters in very realistic situations and they are characters you cannot help feeling a deep affection for. I first discovered Almodovar's greatness through ''Volver'', a lovely film with strong characters focusing a lot on human relationships and bonds. ''All About My Mother'' also focuses a lot on human bonds, on relationships. Life moves on through tragedies and happiness and what matters the most in human life is the relationship that we have with one another, of the way one person can make the other feel protected and secure even in the midst of dangers, sorrows and difficulties.
Directed by: Jane Campion
Released: 1993
Country: New Zealand
Genre: Drama
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
I fell in love with ''The Piano'' in one of the earliest scenes of the movie, when the protagonist, Ada (Holly Hunter), looks at the sea, there is a focus on her face as well as on the sea itself, and the beautiful- extremely beautiful- piece ''The Heart Asks Pleasure First'' plays inthe background.
''The Piano'' is a very simple film- the subject matter is pretty simple- however, this simplicity is handled with such poetic skill and beauty that it becomes a film impossible to forget and impossible not to fall in love with.
Ada is a mute woman and has not spoken since she was a child. She lives in Scotland with her daughter Flora, played by Anna Paquin. Ada cannot speak but she communicates through two mediums: her daughter understands the sign language she uses and she has her piano. She loves her piano and she plays excellently. The film starts as Ada and Flora are brought to New Zealand, where Ada will be married to a man named Alistair Stewart, played by Sam Neill. Ada's most valued possession is her piano. However, as it is way too heavy, the natives refuse to carry it to Stewart's house, and it remains in the beach. Ada misses her piano, and is devastated to know that a man called George Baines, played by Harvey Keitel, has agreed to give Stewart lands in exchange of the piano, and George- without taking Ada's permission- agreed. Ada desperately wants her piano back, and when she discovers the way through which she can have the piano back, she does not hesitate to take that path, thereby ignoring the consequences that it can bring.
Emotions unfold over the course of the film. Passion, emotions, love, cruelty. The characters develop over the course of the film. And so do their emotions. Holly Hunter's performance is strong and extremely powerful. The character she plays is very strong as well. She does not speak a word, but through her expressions she reflects the determination and strength that is in her character. Excellent, to put it in a single word.
Jane Campion's screenplay portrays the 19th century New Zealand- or the particular coast of New Zealand in which the film is taking place- as isolated and bleak, where the natives and the European settlers coexist peacefully, where storms are not uncommon, and where sunlight is a rarity. The setting of the film is as such atmospheric and adds a lot to the poetic beauty of the film.
''The Piano'' tells a simple yet powerful- very powerful- story. Thanks to Jane Campion's excellent screenplay, the excellent performances by Holly Hunter, Anna Paquin, Harvey Keitel and Sam Neill, the beautiful cinematography, and the lovely soundtrack- particularly the piece ''The Heart Asks Pleasure First''- the film is transformed into a work of art. It is so sophisticated, so poetic, so beautiful. It is one of those films that stay with you.
Directed by: James Ivory
Released: 1992
Country: United Kingdom
Genre: Drama
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
The house called Howards End is deeply cherished by Ruth Wilcox, a supporting character in the film ''Howards End''. The character, played by Vanessa Redgrave, shows her love, her longing for the house that she has inherited when she talks about it, and in her eyes we can clearly see the love that she retains for the house. Although a minor supporting character having comparatively less screen presence, her love for Howards End has a long-lasting impact in the film.
The film, based on the novel by E. M. Forster, has a screenplay by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala. Set in the Edwardian era, the film centers on the Schlegel sisters, Margaret (Emma Thompson) and Helen (Helena Bonham Carter). The Schlegel sisters belong to the enlightened, well-informed, intellectual upper-middle class. The film focuses on their encounter with two different social classes that bring an impact to their lives and the lives of those around. They meet the Wilcox family, an wealthy family headed by Henry Wilcox (played by Anthony Hopkins). The sisters- especially Margaret- are in friendly terms with the Wilcoxes, and at the same time, they come into contact with Leonard Bast (Samuel West), a financially insolvent clerk. The Schlegel sisters want to do their best to help Mr Bast, but over the course of time, their interaction with the two different classes- and the clashes and conflicts, misunderstandings and old revelations caused by it- impacts their relationships and their lives deeply.
I loved the way the story develops over the course of time, helping us to get more familiar with the characters. At the end of the day, ''Howards End'' reflects human nature. Henry Wilcox, while definitely not an evil person, reflects to an extent the upper class hypocrisy, causing much of the conflicts in the story. We can also understand Margaret, levelheaded and sensible, and the way she is eventually stuck between the lifestyle followed by the Wilcoxes and the humanistic principles she has grown up with and has always followed. And then there is Helen, who is more passionate and will do anything to help the Basts.
How many other films give us the opportunity to see Anthony Hopkins, Emma Thompson and Helena Bonham Carter in the same frame? All of them deliver excellent performances in ''Howards End'', making the characters they play real and human. Vanessa Redgrave is extremely memorable too in her brief but memorable and important role. Samuel West is great as Leonard and Nicola Duffett, as Leonard's wife, arises sympathy for the character with her acting as we get to know more about her background and what she has endured.
This is an excellently-directed film. The film starts showing Ruth Wilcox walking through the gardens of Howards End. Although seemingly insignificant at first, I eventually thought that this part was iconic, reflecting Ruth's deep love for the house. Then again there is another scene, much later in the film, when Margaret comes to Howards End for the first time. She walks around the exterior, walking through the gardens, amazed at the beauty. She has, of course, been told all about the house by Ruth, whom she had befriended- the scenic beauty of this scene is excellent.
Class conflict in the society and the impact it brings in human life, how each social class reacts to it and is affected by it- this is presented with depth in this film. At the same time, the characters are strong and well-developed, helping us to live the story with them. ''Howards End'' reflects filmmaking at its finest. Besides having an excellent screenplay and performances, it has a calm atmosphere, but this calmness has a plethora of emotions in it which develops over the course of the film.
Directed by: David Fincher
Released: 1995
Country: United States
Genre: Crime, Thriller, Drama, Mystery
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
Oh David Fincher, David Fincher. ''Seven'' has to be one of the grittiest and darkest films I have ever watched. As such, it is also one of the most captivating and intelligent films I have ever come across. And when I say intelligent, I really, really mean it. It has a storyline so brilliant that I kept- with apprehension and fear, I might add- waiting for what might happen next, trying to guess things, and often being met with shock and horror. Yes, indeed, ''Seven'' is a brilliant, brilliant, brilliant film.
The very first character we are introduced to is William Somerset, played by Morgan Freeman, an experienced detective who is about to retire, who, for the last few days of his career, has to work with the young David Mills, played by Brad Pitt, who has just been transferred to the city. The city is dark and has a lot of crimes going on- something that greatly upsets Tracy- the wife of Mills- played by Gwyneth Paltrow. The very first thing Somerset and Mills investigate together is the murder of an overweight man who was forced to eat until his stomach burst open. The second murder they come across together is that of a lawyer. However, one thing that deeply troubles Somerset is the fact that in the locations of both murders they could discover something written: in case of the location where the obese man was killed, the word has ''Gluttony'' is found, and in the place where the lawyer was murdered, the word ''Greed'' is written on the floor with blood. Somerset immediately thinks that the two murders are linked: the killer, whoever that is, is killing people in a way that would somehow relate to the seven deadly sins: pride, lust, greed, sloth, gluttony, wrath and envy. Somerset, experienced and having seen a lot of the criminal world, has his own ways of tracking the killer down, and Mills, initially not friendly with Somerset, eventually becomes to trust him as they investigate the gruesome murders together, as they try tracking the person who, by means nobody knows, is being able to cover his tracks and continuing to commit the gruesome acts.
The dark atmosphere of the film is clearly reflected in the way Somerset thinks. Having been in the profession for decades, he has seen a lot of the darkness, the extent to which humans can go, how the world can be so scary, so sinister. Mills, on the other hand, young and having a lot more to see, does not feel it the way Somerset does. A feeling similar to Somerset's is reflected in the way Tracy thinks. Having lived in a safe city all her life, the city she has had to come to because of her husband's work seems unfamiliar and strange to her, with all the crimes going on around her. It is definitely not the kind of life she had ever dreamed for herself. Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt both deliver excellent performances, and Gwyneth Paltrow, although having comparatively less screen presence, is great too. Kevin Spacey is unforgettable in his role as well. The screenplay is excellent- much more than excellent- and about the director, David Fincher, nothing really needs to be said. He astounded me with ''Fight Club'' and now, having seen ''Seven'', I can understand what a great filmmaker he is.
I kept thinking about the film, the storyline, and the way it culminates so unpredictably for hours after I finished watching the film. The story is so masterfully designed, each and every brick is placed so perfectly that when I came across the final, shocking twist, I was undoubtedly surprised but at the same time, I could not admire the film enough for its sheer perfection, for the way everything falls into place, the way things lead to the finale. Trust me, I was kept in a great suspense throughout the film, and when the final scenes came along, I kept waiting, with my heart beating fast, for something that I knew was sure to shock me but at the same time, something that I thought would give the film the perfection I now know it definitely has.
Directed by: James Ivory
Released: 1993
Country: United Kingdom, United States
Genre: Drama
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
''The Remains of the Day'' is set in Darlington Hall, a large English country house, and the central characters are the butler of the household, Mr Stevens, played by Anthony Hopkins, and the housekeeper Miss Kenton, played by Emma Thompson. Mr Stevens has worked as a butler all his life, and is a man with a serious composure, almost never expressing his feelings. The comparatively openhearted Miss Kenton finds it odd that Mr Stevens never expresses his feelings. But the middle-aged man thinks that a man in his profession should solely focus on his work, properly serving his employers. Miss Kenton, with the the passage of time, finds herself developing feelings for Mr Stevens, feelings which the man could have perhaps been able to return had it not been for his strict dedication to his work.
The story of Mr Stevens and Miss Kenton is told along with a number of subplots concerning the household of which they are a part. A major portion of the film is set in the mid-1930s and Lord Darlington's (the owner of Darlington Hall, played by James Fox) political views- which would eventually make him despised by everybody over the course of the years- is an important subplot. Minor subplots include one about Lord Darlington's nephew, played by a young Hugh Grant, and a very minor subplot concerning the affair of one of the maids of the house. All these subplots help in the weaving of the gentle main plot concerning Mr Stevens and Miss Kenton, as they witness all the incidents happening in the house.
Miss
Kenton. Mr Stevens. These are two characters that you start caring for.
The plot and the character development are so very good, and the best
thing about all these is that these developments happen gently, slowly,
giving us the opportunity to properly get to know the two characters.
Emma Thompson's quiet performance is extraordinary, while Anthony
Hopkins is perfect as Mr Stevens, making the character believable. Ruth
Prawer Jhabvala's screenplay is brilliant, it really is. The developments of the characters and the story are done so very well.
The
film is as simple as it can be but this very simplicity is beautiful
and heartbreaking. At the end of the day, we are left with a film that
is simple and gentle yet extraordinarily powerful. ''The Remains of the
Day'' is a beautiful film.
Directed by: David Fincher
Released: 1999
Country: United States
Starring: Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Helena Bonham Carter, Meat Loaf Aday, Jared Leto
Genre: Drama
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Review
Theme-wise, ''Fight Club'' is a satire of the increasingly materialistic society of the modern world, the effects of isolation, how consumerism has taken away from human beings their souls and energy. Storywise, its a captivating psychological thriller that climaxes with something that is unpredictable and culminates in an unforgettable ending.
''Fight Club'' is basically the story of a narrator whose name we never get to know know, played by Edward Norton. Entangled in a monotonous corporate life, his life seems to revolve around the materialistic society of the present world, collecting expensive furniture and commodities to satisfy himself. His life feels dull to him, he feels monotonous, lonely and bored, and suffers from insomnia. He starts going to support groups pretty much everyday, finding out that the things said by those at the support group- cancer patients, for example- helps him to actually get a taste of life, as there he can find the soul that he feels is missing in the otherwise materialistic society.
The narrator's life changes the day he meets Tyler Durden, played by Brad Pitt. They meet on a plane. Tyler is a soap salesman. Finding out that his house has mysteriously caught a fire, the narrator moves in with Tyler, who he feels is a charismatic friend. He engages infistfights with Durden, finding it strangely entertaining. Very soon, seeing them fight in the streets, curious onlookers crowd around them, and, encouraged by their curiosity, Tyler and the narrator open a ''fight club'', an underground club where at nights, men meet and engage in fistfights. They feel as if fistfights are giving them solace and relief, and the narrator's life eventually changes as with the passage of time, things start getting out of control and he is not exactly sure about Tyler's plans anymore.
Important in the story is the character of Marla Singer, played by Helena Bonham Carter. The narrator had initially met Marla in the support groups he visited, and he had found out that like him, Marla also was not affected by any of the problems these support groups were for but rather frequented them because she wanted to. Things get messy as Marla starts a relationship with Tyler, much to the narrator's shock.
This is such a thought-provoking film, a film with excellent depth. It presents a story that is unpredictable and way too twisted. It is one of those films which, when watched for the second time, will have you see all the situations in a completely different way as you will be aware of the twists, allowing you to view the incidents in a whole new way.
Besides having an excellent story, the film is a social commentary and satire, a criticism of the materialistic culture prevailing in the modern world. At the beginning of the film, the narrator lives just another corporate life, trying to find happiness amidst furniture and appliances. Isn't this the major problem prevailing in the world today? People lacking souls and finding pleasure in commodities and appliances? I found the narrator a very believable character: entangled in the present world, living a monotonous and soulless existence. How can only commodities- not emotions- give someone a happy life? This is the major issue that the film tackles. Why are human bonds and emotions so ignored and avoided by many in the present world? Where the narrator truly finds relief are the support groups- where he cries hugging the people actually suffering from different problems- and experiencing these true emotions gives him solace. I appreciated the satire and the social commentary prevalent in the film from the beginning to the end.
Brad Pitt is unforgettable as Tyler Durden, and Edward Norton is amazing, really very amazing as the unnamed narrator. From the insomniac person at the beginning of the film, to the the person finding a different meaning in life, to the person realizing that something is wrong with what is happening around himself and figuring things out- leading to the big twist- he is perfect, simply perfect. Helena Bonham Carter- she is great, just great as Marla, a mysterious and strange woman.
''Fight Club'' can get a bit too violent at times, but the film is a must-watch. It is an exceptionally brilliant satire with a story that left me wondering and trying to interpret it in a lot of different ways.
4.5 out of 5
Directed by: Spize Jonze
Released: 1999
Country: United States
Genres: Comedy, Fantasy
Rating: 5 out of 5
Review
''Being John Malkovich'' is pretty much a breath of fresh air: an extremely imaginative and original film that left me impressed and fascinated. This is definitely one of the most unique films I have ever watched.
The story revolves around three people: Craig, a puppeteer played by John Cusack, his wife Lotte, played by Cameron Diaz (in a makeup and hairstyle that almost makes her unrecognizable. I did know that Diaz was in this film and I kept looking for her and only a while later did I realize that the actress playing Lotte is actually Diaz), and Craig's colleague Maxine, played by Catherine Keener. Craig gets a job and his office is situated in the 7 1/2th floor of a huge building- this very interesting floor is situated between the seventh and eighth floors, and have low ceilings. This is fascinatingly interesting, and there is a popular (and interesting) story about why the ceilings are so low. Craig feels attracted to the beautiful Maxine, though the latter does not really pay him much attention. One day, Craig discover a portal on the wall of his office. He enters the portal, only to find himself in the mind of the famous actor John Malkovich. For ten or fifteen minutes, the portal allows the person who enters it to become Malkovich, to see the world through Malkovich's eyes. Craig is amused and tells this to Maxine: who comes up with a potentially profitable business plan: they would let people enter the portal and get into John Malkovich's brain in return for money. However, things take an unpredictably different turn when Craig tells about the portal to his wife Lotte, resulting in incidents that eventually, besides sparkling up revelations, changes the lives of all three of them.
I started watching ''Being John Malkovich'' knowing only the basic premise. I only knew that the film is something about a portal leading John Malkovich's brain. I was curious as the premise sounded pretty interesting. Once I started watching it... I was getting speechless scene after scene. The concept is so very original, so amazing! New revelations, unpredictable revelations crowd the film, and we can never guess what will happen next. No formula works in this film: each and every scene of it is something new, something refreshingly original. Each revelation is interesting.
You can probably guess that the thing I loved most about this film is the fresh and imaginative concept. Over the course of the film we get to know more and more about the portal around which the film is centered. We get to know what will happen if John Malkovich himself enters the portal. We get to know secrets about the portal. And of course, in the center of the film we have three very, very interesting characters: Craig, Maxine, and Lotte, whose lives will never be the same as they themselves go through continuous realizations and revelations that not only change their lives but are also powerful enough to leave the audience speechless and fascinated.
The performances are wonderful, of course. John Cusack is really good as Craig. Cameron Diaz, looking pretty unrecognizable, and Catherine Keener, playing Maxine, deliver unforgettable performances, making the two characters strong and believable. I found these two characters better-developed than Craig. John Malkovich portrays himself and he is wonderful.
''Being John Malkovich'' is one of the most original and imaginative films I have ever watched. Films as imaginative and fresh as ''Being John Malkovich'' are hard to find, and when found, they should be devoured and enjoyed to the fullest.
5 out of 5
