Being John Malkovich

Released 1999
Stars John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, Orson Bean, Mary Kay Place, John Malkovich, Charlie Sheen
Directed by Spike Jonze

Remarkable, audaciously original black comedy/fantasy about an iconoclastic puppeteer (Cusack) who discovers a "portal" into the mind of actor John Malkovich, and decides to exploit its possibilities. A far-out premise (by writer Charlie Kaufman) is ingeniously developed into a full-blown story and acted with pizzazz. Malkovich is a marvel in an especially sly, nuanced performance. Other stars make gag cameos. Feature debut for commercial and music video director Jonze.

Summary written by Leonard Maltin