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movie. Columbine's comments on Being John Malkovich make me very curious as to exactly when he walked out of this movie. It doesn't quite sound like he made it halfway, and the second half of the movie has some of the best parts: the John Malkovich scenes, of course. He is, unsurprisingly, the saving grace of this film. I agree that the characters are unlikable. Cusack plays a sniveling, boring, man with absolutely no introspection (which makes the irony of his metaphysical rants to Maxine even more painful); but, Columbine, did you stay to see Mr. Malkovich channel this character? I found myself believing whole-heartedly that the Cusack character had control of Malkovich, and it was only afterwards that I realized I had suspended my disbelief and Malkovich was just being his usual brilliant self. Really, when Cusack was "inhabiting" Malkovich I found myself wishing desperately that Malkovich would come back, so convincingly did he portray that ass. A few other scenes with Malkovich - when he enters his own portal and plays himself a hundred times over, when he freaks out afterwards, when he does the "Desperation" scene (which is the live version of the puppet show at the beginning and is the scene you see on the previews when he's doing barrel-roll turns) are all breathtakingly acted. Even when he's not "possessed", when he's playing himself, I found him captivating; I especially liked his quiet voice when he's thanking someone who is complementing him on a movie he did not make ("I loved that movie where you played a retard. My cousin's a retard, so it means a lot to me to see retards being played like that." Malkovich: "Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. Yes. Thank you." The guy walks away and Malkovich puts his fingers over his mouth and tries not to roll his eyes.) Then, there's the gender identity thing. Ok, true, this movie touches on a lot of points and doesn't delve into any of them deeply. Oh well. I said afterwards that it would make a better book, as the author could develop some of his ideas, flesh them out. And, so, the gender identity of Lottie, the wife, is never really examined (probably because she spent so much of the film in the cage with Elijah, the monkey who has the best flashback scene I've ever seen and was an amazing actor himself). But I found it interesting to think about - what would it be like to be inside a man, to touch myself all over AS a man (as Lottie does in the film) - would I find it irresitable and feel the urge to go back again and again? Oh, yes. I loved the way Maxine played her, working it so she had Lottie's feminine sensitivities in Malkovich's handsome male body. I would love to be able to get inside a man like that, and know what it was like to make love to a beautiful woman. I did want more from the film on that, but then again, I was happy just to imagine it. What I really loved, however, was the dark ending that was presented almost as a happy one. I was depressed that Malkovich didn't get himself back for more than an instant before the old folks took over; I found that scene, as he's jerking from their entry in front of the mirror, extremely sad. As I said, Malkovich saves this film; he can convey so much with so little screen time! And I just loved how bizarre the film was. You really don't see this kind of movie coming around on the big screen too often. And I had no problem cringing at the adult puppet show near the beginning - that was just a taste of the bizarre to loosen you up. Anyhow, enough ramblings on Malkovich (on whom I've now got a crush the size of the ones I have for Robin Williams and Patrick Stewart). I admit, my attraction to Malkovich made me like this film a lot more than I ever would have otherwise. I also saw Dogma which both Ian and I thought was terrible. Funny in parts, but over-the-top-then-fall-flat was the name of that game. If you're still in high school, debating religion with your peers, you'll think it's a hoot. Otherwise, you've probably already worked out a bunch of these issues yourself, and you'll be disappointed and possibly grossed out by the excessive violence and occasional shit-demon. Really, the disclaimer(s) in the beginning are the best part. Raining here. Raining hard, streaking the windows and making me wish I'd brought my umbrella. Welcome, winter. Mary Anne's back! I didn't realize until I read her entry today how much I miss her early morning chatty entries. I've been bugging David, "So, how's Mary Anne doing? Is she still super-busy?" (which is like asking if the roads are still crowded in the Bay Area). But it's not the same as reading her own words in her journal. For one thing, she usually makes me want to write; more importantly, it usually gives me the urge to get *organized* about writing, which sometimes is the real challenge. Anyhow, I've been struggling not to ask her what she thought of "Undercurrent", which I submitted to her Aqua Erotica anthology on Saturday. I know she's busy, and I don't want to bug her. But this entry sorta implies that it has some redeeming qualities. I'll happily be lumped with that group of writers anyday :-)
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