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January 01, 2000

Best of 1999

What a year for the movies! When a no-budget movie that threatens but never shows a witch attack can generate as much interest as a Star Wars prequel, Well, neither film made the cut, but a bevy of terrific films did...

Top 10 of 1999

1. Being John Malkovich
Like a trip more twisted than any Alice ever took down the rabbit hole, Being John Malkovich is as bewilderingly inventive as it is gloriously absurd. Nestled somewhere on the 7 1/2th floor of the Mertin Flemmer Building, a miniature door leads thrill-seekers directly into actor John Malkovich's head for short 15-minute visits. The kooky head-trips serve each of the characters with a wildly unique experience, offering bizarre enlightenment and a taste of fame.

The year's cleverest, most original concoction combines the genius of Charlie Kaufman's script (unsurprisingly, numerous studios seemed baffled by its premise) with director Spike Jonze's just-right attitude, further buoyed by Carter Burwell's score and actors glad to embrace parts drained of all glamour. The elements merge as a playful and intelligent comedy with a knockout concept and plenty of substance.

Kudos to Malkovich for a delightfully self-deprecating performance, with congratulations extended to a cast including John Cusack as an out-of-work puppeteer, Cameron Diaz as his frazzled pet-peeved wife and Catherine Keener as the sneaky manipulatress who leads them both on.

With its constant narrative and stylistic innovation, Being John Malkovich tantalizes audiences into following its sprawling creative path. Moments of startling originality spring forth welcome along a path of unpredictable intellectual abandon. Curioser and curioser, Jonze and Kaufman's mad little movie far surpasses its many worthy competitors in a year virtually bursting with excellent films.

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Posted by Peter Debruge at 12:01 AM | Comments (0)