Being John Malkovich
Trailer
Synopsis
Craig Schwartz, a talented but frustrated street puppeteer, takes a job as a filing clerk on the 7½ floor of an office building. There, he discovers a portal that leads directly into the mind of famous actor John Malkovich. Craig, his wife Lotte, and his co-worker Maxine, with whom Craig is obsessed, decide to exploit this discovery, allowing others to experience life as Malkovich for fifteen minutes before being ejected.
Context & Trivia
The film features marionettes primarily designed by Kamela Portuges-Robbins of Images in Motion, with additional artistry from Luman Coad, Lee Armstrong, Tim Miller, and Mary Nagler. Philip Huber of Huber Marionettes was responsible for the puppet manipulation. Huber designed a simplified paddle control for the puppets, as the more complicated German-style controls used for the film's visual aesthetic were not practical for the varied and rapid actions required. A puppet sequence not in the original script was added to give more legitimacy to Craig's street performances, including a version of "Heloise and Abelard." The film uses puppetry as a central metaphor to explore themes of control, identity, and the ability to inhabit another person's skin.
Puppeteers
Philip Huber, Luman Coad, Kamela Portuges, Lee Armstrong, Tim Miller, Mary Nagler
Puppet companies
Images in Motion · Huber Marionettes
Direction
Spike Jonze
Writing
Charlie Kaufman
Cast
John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, John Malkovich, Catherine Keener, Orson Bean, Mary Kay Place, W. Earl Brown, Carlos Jacott, Willie Garson, Byrne Piven, Gregory Sporleder, Charlie Sheen, Reggie Hayes, K.K. Dodds, Judith Wetzell, Octavia Spencer, Ned Bellamy, Eric Weinstein, Madison Lanc, Kevin Carroll
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