Starring John Cusack, Catherine Keener, Cameron Diaz, John Malkovich, Charlie Sheen, Orsen Bean, Mary Kay Place. Directed by Spike Jonze. Craig Schwartz (Cusack) is unemployed and depressed. He is a skilled puppeteer who can't find work - he plies his trade on the street, often getting beat up for his risque subject matter. His wife Lotte (Diaz) works with animals, and has filled the house with birds, cats and a monkey with issues. She gently prods her husband into looking for work to pay the bills. Because an ad requests people with quick, nimble fingers, Craig applies for a job as filer with Lester Corp. located on floor 7 1/2 of the Mertin-Flemmer building in Manhatten. Dr. Lester (Bean) gives Craig the job, and in orientation he meets Maxine (Keener). He is obsessed with her at first sight. He takes every opportunity to talk with her and see her, but she isn't much interested. One day Craig drops a file behind a cabinet, and after moving the cabinet out he discovers a door which opens up to a long tunnel. He slowly enters the tunnel, and then the door slams shut behind him and he is sucked in at lightning speed. And he ends up ... inside the brain of John Malkovich. He sees what John sees, and even senses what John senses. But he only can stay in 15 minutes, and falls out on the New Jersey turnpike when his time is up. Craig is excited and overwhelmed. And his discovery will have even weirder and unexpected results in his life, and in the lives of Maxine, Lottie, Dr. Lester and Floris (Place), the lusty Lester Corp. secretary. If there is an award for possibly the most unique film this year, or any year, Being John Malkovich would go to the top of the list. While the description above might seem a bit far-fetched, it doesn't begin to indicate the interesting twists and turns the film takes. And the bizarre story is strangely plausible. The portal to Malkovich's brain is eventually explained, and the weird events make warped sense. One of the points of the film is that a person can often say things and do things more confidently, with others being more impressed by them, when they're delivered by someone else. Many people would rather be someone else, and who better than a sophisticated, respected actor. The film often moves quietly from funny to moving and poignant as Craig and Lotte attempt to understand the confusing turns their lives are taking. The film is enhanced by two outstanding performances and several other strong ones. Keener is magnificent, playing Catherine as a completely self-absorbed narcissist. She says to Craig and Lotte that there are two types of people - those who go after what they want, and those that do not. Catherine goes after what she wants without regard for anyone else. Keener breezily moves between sexy, funny and narcissism seamlessly. Malkovich starts off illustrating a mundane and ordinary life, but eventually his life spins out of control. He somewhat departs from his usual controlled, sometimes bloodless style, delivering an often very funny and frenzied performance. He allows his life to be parodied unmercifully, and he lets it all hang out. Literally. His "puppet" dance is outstanding and a total surprise. And here's a surprise - Charlie Sheen shows up for two scenes and he is hilarious - sharp, funny and you wish he was around longer. I'm not kidding. Cusack is excellent as the timid puppeteer, who can express his feelings better through his puppets than in real life. Diaz successfully plays against type as the mousy housewife who begins to take charge of her life. If you are open to a weird and wonderful story, rush out to see Being John Malkovich. If you would like to respond, please click the E-Mail Press Here To Go To The Review List Page