Being John Malkovich is likely one of the most interesting movies to ever see release, giving us an odd story, the greatness of Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze, and a new look at John Malkovich — particularly one from inside his head. In an upcoming interview with Rolling Stone, Malkovich looks back on the film and describes its legacy today. There’s plenty of praise heaped onto Jonze and Kaufman, but Malkovich seems to look at the film a little differently with some very colorful descriptions:
“He said: either the movie’s a bomb and it’s got … my name in the title, so I’m f*cked that way; or it does well and I’m just forever associated with this character,”
“But [the legacy] for me, not so much,” the actor adds. “I mean, in modern culture… [Long pause] It’s kind of like if you get a bl*wjob from the wrong person, then your life becomes a bl*wjob. So Being John Malkovich always has to be referred to in some allegedly clever or ironic or snarky way.”
“Your life becomes a bl*wjob.” Some folks would likely disagree and say that one job is as good as the other, but who knows? I guess one could change your entire life, especially if it’s a poor job.
He does talk a bit more about the actual process behind the film, leaving the colorful visuals behind:
“I would say the film’s biggest legacy was that it was an introduction to the world of two extremely gifted filmmakers: [screenwriter] Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze, whom I hold in great esteem,” Malkovich tells Rolling Stone. “In my mind, they’re visionaries who have gone on to do some of the most excellent work in American movies for a long time…
“I never thought anybody would be goofy enough to actually film [the script],” says Malkovich. “But I hadn’t met Spike. And when they asked me to do it, I was slightly worried. Not at all about the tone or content, but the feeling of, if you do a film where your name is not above the title but in the title, then you may have some serious narcissistic tendencies which would require looking at.”
Rolling Stone also adds that Malkovich himself was going to direct the film with another star in the lead — someone like Tom Cruise or a bigger name. He also adds in that there were some things that he disagreed with and didn’t want to have in the film, despite the insistence of Kaufman and Jonze. Charlie Sheen is included in that discussion and it’s worth a read.
(Via Rolling Stone)
