Being John Malkovich

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Awards

Academy Awards 2000 - Nominated - Best Director

Academy Awards 2000 - Nominated - Best Original Screenplay

Academy Awards 2000 - Nominated - Best Supporting Actress

BAFTA Awards 2000 - Nominated - Best Editing

Academy Awards 2000 - Nominated - Best Director

Academy Awards 2000 - Nominated - Best Original Screenplay

Academy Awards 2000 - Nominated - Best Supporting Actress

BAFTA Awards 2000 - Nominated - Best Editing

BAFTA Awards 2000 - Nominated - Best Supporting Actress

BAFTA Awards 2000 - Won - Best Original Screenplay

Chlotrudis Awards 2000 - Won - Best Director

Chlotrudis Awards 2000 - Won - Best Screenplay

Chlotrudis Awards 2000 - Won - Best Supporting Actress

GLAAD Media Awards 2000 - Won - Outstanding Film (Wide Release)

Independent Spirit Awards 2000 - Nominated - Best Male Lead

Independent Spirit Awards 2000 - Won - Best First Feature (Over $500,000)

Independent Spirit Awards 2000 - Won - Best First Screenplay

NYFCC Awards 2000 - Won - Best First Feature

NYFCC Awards 2000 - Won - Best Supporting Actor

NYFCC Awards 2000 - Won - Best Supporting Actress

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Being John Malkovich

Director:
Spike Jonze
112 Minutes
 

At A Glance

Film Synopsis

Craig, a puppeteer, takes a filing job in a low-ceilinged office in Manhattan. Although married to the slightly askew Lotte, he hits on a colleague, the sexually frank Maxine. She's bored but snaps awake when he finds a portal leading inside John Malkovich: for 15 minutes you see, hear, and feel whatever JM is doing, then you fall out by the New Jersey Turnpike. Maxine makes it commercial, selling trips for $200; also, she's more interested in Lotte than in Craig, but only when Lotte is inside JM. JM finds out what's going on and tries to stop it, but Craig sees the portal as his road to Maxine and to success as a puppeteer. Meanwhile, Lotte discovers others interested in the portal.

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Our Take

"A little bit crazy, very funny, and one of the most inventive movies you will ever see."

Others Who Liked the Film

 

Details

Runtime:
112 min.

Genres:
Comedy
Drama

Country:
UNITED STATES

Language:
English/American

Color:
Color

Tagline

• Ever wanted to be someone else? Now you can. • Ever Wanted To Be Someone Else? • Be All That Someone Else Can Be

 

Memorable Quotes

Lotte Schwartz: Don't stand in the way of my actualization as a man. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig Schwartz: Nobody's looking for a puppeteer in today's wintry economic climate. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig Schwartz: Do you know what a metaphysical can of worms this portal is? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig Schwartz: My name is Craig Schwartz and I have an interview with Dr. Lester. Floris: Please have a seat, Mr. Juarez. Craig Schwartz: My name is Schwartz. Floris: "My name is Wartz"? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Floris: Welcome to Lestercorp. How may we meet your filing needs? Craig Schwartz: No, no. Um... my name's Craig Schwartz. I have an interview with Dr. Lester. Floris: Oh. Please have a seat, Mr. Juarez. Craig Schwartz: Schwartz. Floris: Pardon? Craig Schwartz: Schwartz. Floris: I- I'm sorry. I have no idea what you're saying to me right now. Floris: My name is Schwartz. Floris: My name is Warts? [Craig takes a seat] Floris: [intercom beeps] Floris: Mr. Juarez? [Craig doesn't respond at first] Craig Schwartz: Oh. Yes? Floris: Chest? Craig Schwartz: I said, "Yes?" Floris: You suggest what? I'm sorry I have no time for piddling suggestions from mumbling job applicants. Besides, Dr. Lester will see you now. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig Schwartz: You see the world through John Malkovich's eyes. Then after about 15 minutes, you're spit out into a ditch on the side of the New Jersey Turnpike! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charlie: Truth is for suckers, Johnny Boy. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charlie: Maybe she's using you to channel some dead lesbian lover. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Malkovich: The weird thing is, this Maxine likes to call me "Lotte". Charlie: Ouch. That is hot. Maybe she's using you to channel some dead lesbian lover. Sounds like my kind of gal. Let me know when you're done with her, yeah? John Malkovich: What are you talking about, "Done with her", man? Tonight really freaked me out! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Lester: She has her doctorate in speech impedimentology from Case Western. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig Schwartz (in John Malkovich): You see, Maxine, it isn't just playing with dolls. Maxine: You're right, my darling, it's so much more. It's playing with people! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maxine: Meet you in Malkovich in one hour. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Waiter: Malkovich? John Malkovich: MALKOVICH! Waiter: Malkovich. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Guy in Restaurant: 'Scuse me. John Malkovich: Mm-hmm? Guy in Restaurant: Are you John Malkovich? John Malkovich: Yes, I am. Guy in Restaurant: Wow! You're really, uh, great in that movie... John Malkovich: Oh? Guy in Restaurant: ...where you play that retard. John Malkovich: Oh, thank you very much. Thank you. Guy in Restaurant: I have a cousin... who's a retard. John Malkovich: Oh, thank you. Guy in Restaurant: Yeah. So, um... as you might imagine, it... means a lot to me to see... retards... portrayed, uh, on the silver screen so compassionately. John Malkovich: Well, thank you very much, I appreciate it. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maxine: Craig, I don't find you attractive, but Lotte, I'm smitten with you. I am... but only when in you're in Malkovich. When I was with him last night, I was looking into his eyes and could sense your feminine longing. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Malkovich: I have seen a world that NO man should see! Craig Schwartz: Really? Because for most people it's a rather enjoyable experience. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [a truck drives by and the driver hits Malkovich's head with a can] Driver: Hey Malkovich, think fast! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig Schwartz: With all due respect, John, It's MY portal. John Malkovich: It's MY HEAD, Schwartz. It's MY head! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Malkovich: This portal is mine and must be sealed up forever. For the love of God. Craig Schwartz: With all respect, sir, I discovered that portal. Its my livelihood. John Malkovich: It's my head, Schwartz, and I'll see you in court! [Malkovich trudges off along the shoulder of the turnpike] Craig Schwartz: [calling after him] And who's to say I won't be seeing what you're seeing... in court? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig Schwartz: Can I buy you a drink, Maxine? Maxine: Are you married? Craig Schwartz: Yes, but enough about me. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [During sex] John Malkovich: Did you call me Lotte? Maxine: Yeah, do you mind? John Malkovich: No, not really. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Lester: I've been very lonely in my isolated tower of indecipherable speech. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig Schwartz: There's a tiny door in that empty office. It's a portal, Maxine. It takes you inside John Malkovich. You see the world through John Malkovich's eyes, then, after about fifteen minutes, you're spit out into a ditch on the side of The New Jersey Turnpike. Maxine: Sounds delightful. Who the fuck is John Malkovich? Craig Schwartz: He's an actor. One of the great American actors of the 20th century. Maxine: What's he been in? Craig Schwartz: Lots of things. He's very well respected. That jewel thief movie, for example. The point is that this is a very odd thing, supernatural, for lack of a better word. It raises all sorts of philosophical questions about the nature of self, about the existence of the soul. Am I me? Is Malkovich Malkovich? Was the Buddha right, is duality an illusion? Do you see what a can of worms this portal is? I don't think I can go on living my life as I have lived it. There's only one thing to do. Let's get married right away. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maxine: Have you ever had two people look at you, with complete lust and devotion, through the same pair of eyes? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charlie: Hot lesbian witches! It's fucking genius! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [During a job interview] Dr. Lester: Which of these two letters comes first, this one or this one? Craig Schwartz: The symbol on the left is not a letter, sir? Dr. Lester: Damn, you're good. I was trying to trick you. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Lester: Any questions? Craig Schwartz: Just one. Why are these ceilings so low? Dr. Lester: Low overhead, my boy - we pass the savings on to you! But seriously, that'll all be covered in the orientation. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maxine: Tell me a little about yourself. Craig Schwartz: Well, I'm a puppeteer... Maxine: Check! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig Schwartz: You don't know how lucky you are being a monkey. Because consciousness is a terrible curse. I think. I feel. I suffer. And all I ask in return is the opportunity to do my work. And they won't allow it... because I raise issues. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- John Malkovich: Ma-Sheen! Charlie: Malcatraz! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig Schwartz: If I can guess your name in three tries, you have to come have a drink with me tonight. Maxine: Why not? Craig Schwartz: Okay. You look like a... BarrrRuuu - BellllLuuuu - Lllll - Carolllll - Taaaa-Sharrr - - SusaaannnEmmmmilllly - - Marr - laaarr - Maax... ine - M-M-M - Maxine? Maxine: Yeah! Who told you? Craig Schwartz: Nobody told me. That just came out. Isn't that odd? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lotte Schwartz: I think it's kinda sexy that John Malkovich has a portal, y'know, sort of like, it's like, like he has a vagina. It's sort of vaginal, y'know, like he has a, he has a penis AND a vagina. I mean, it's sort of like... Malkovich's... feminine side. I like that. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- First J.M. Inc. Customer: Now when you say that I can be somebody else, whaddya mean exactly? Craig Schwartz: Well, we mean exactly that. We can put you inside someone else's body, for fifteen minutes. First J.M. Inc. Customer: Can I be anybody that I wanna be? Craig Schwartz: Well, you... actually... Maxine: You can be John Malkovich. First J.M. Inc. Customer: Perfect! It's... my... second choice, but it's wonderful. I'm a fat man. I'm sad and I... Maxine: Two hundred dollars. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Lotte comes home late at night] Craig Schwartz: You were him, weren't you? Lotte Schwartz: Yeah. Craig Schwartz: And he was with her! Lotte Schwartz: We love her, Craig. Craig Schwartz: We? Lotte Schwartz: John and me. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig Schwartz: I was thinking about what you were saying the other day, about the orientation film being bullshit. Maxine: Yes? Craig Schwartz: I think maybe you're on to something. Maxine: And fifty other lines to get into a girl's pants. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maxine: Here's the thing: If you ever get me, you wouldn't have a clue what to do with me. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Lester: Don't toy with Floris, Schwartz. Craig Schwartz: Oh, no. Dr. Lester: If I was 80 years younger, I'd box your ears. Craig Schwartz: I wasn't toying with her sir, I wouldn't - pardon me, how old are you, sir? Dr. Lester: 105. Carrot juice, lots of it. I swear, sometimes it's not worth it. I piss orange. I have to piss sitting down like a goddamn girlie-girl every fifteen minutes. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig Schwartz: I like you, I don't know what it is about you. Maxine: My tits? Craig Schwartz: No! No, no, no. Maxine: No? Craig Schwartz: It's your energy, your attitude, you know, the way you carry yourself. Maxine: You're not a fag, are you? Craig Schwartz: No, I am really attracted to you. Maxine: "No, I am really attracted to you", Christ, you are a fag. Okay, we can share recipes if you like, darling. Craig Schwartz: No, no, I love your tits, love 'em, I wanna fondle 'em. Maxine: Great, now we're getting somewhere. Not a chance. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maxine: You're not someone I could get interested in, Craig, you play with dolls. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charlie: You're nuts to let a girl go that calls you Lotte, I tell you that as a friend. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig Schwartz: What happens when a man goes through his own portal? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Lester: Hello, Mr. Juarez. Craig Schwartz: Dr. Lester, My name is Craig Schwartz, a small mixup with your secretary... Dr. Lester: [into intercom] Security! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Lester: Floris, Get Guinness on the phone. Floris: Right away, Dr. Lester. Genghis Khan Capone. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig Schwartz: [as Maxine Puppet] Tell me, Craig, why do you like puppetering? Craig Schwartz: [as Craig Puppet] Well Maxine, I'm not sure exactly. Perhaps the idea of becoming someone else for a little while. Being inside another skin - thinking differently, moving differently, feeling differently. Craig Schwartz: [as Maxine Puppet] Interesting, Craig... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lotte Schwartz: Suck my dick! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Lester: My spunk is manna from heaven. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Larry the Agent: John! Great to see you! Sorry about the cunt at reception. Craig Schwartz (in John Malkovich): This is my fiancÈe Maxine. Larry the Agent: Great to see you, Maxine. Sorry about the cunt at reception. Please have a seat. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig Schwartz: I've fallen in love, and this is what people who've fallen in love look like. Maxine: Well, you picked the unrequited variety. It's very bad for the skin. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Craig Schwartz (in John Malkovich): There is truth, and there are lies, and art always tells the truth. Even when it's lying. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Floris: I can't understand a word you're saying [pauses] Floris: asshole. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charlie: Lookin' great, Flo. Floris: "Lookin' grateful"? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [first lines] Lotte Schwartz: Craig, honey, it's time for bed. [fade out and in] Orrin Hatch the bird: Craig, honey, time to get up, Craig, honey, time to get up, Craig, honey, time to get up, Craig, honey, time to get up, Craig Schwartz: Lotte... Lotte Schwartz: I'm sorry. I didn't know Orrin Hatch was out of his cage. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [last lines] Craig Schwartz: [voiceover] Maxine. Maxine, I love you, Maxine. Oh, look away. Look away. Look away. Look away. Look away. Look away. Look away. Look away. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maxine: Let's have sex on his table and then make him eat an omelette off of it. John Malkovich: NO! [Craig regains control] Craig Schwartz (in John Malkovich): Shut up, you overrated piece of shit.

 

 

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