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	Vol.7, No 34, October 27, 1999
	Bizarre comedy film a hit By Amanda Thomason Special to the Daily Forty-Niner "Being John Malkovich" gives new meaning to the phrase 'traveling on a mental journey.' Lingering disbelief from the movie's unusual yet appealing scenes propels the viewer around the blind corners as the bizarre plot unfolds.  Craig Schwartz is trapped. An unemployed puppeteer, he is plagued by intellectual isolation and suppressed sexual desires. Amusingly, he exhibits these personality quirks through his puppets. His wife, Lotte, clueless to her husband's angst, constantly comments about their dubious future and her pet chimp, Elijah's, ulcer.    MOVIE REVIEW Finally, when at his new job at Lestercorp, he finds two potential escapes from his personal prison: a sexy colleague and a door that leads into John Malkovich's head.  The characters in this film are unforgettable. John Cusack turns in his usual clean-shaven look for the scruffy, sloping Schwartz.  Cameron Diaz is anything but an effervescent, blonde "Mary." Her character, Lotte Schwartz, is far more complex. Lotte's personal revelations, such as when she announces that she wants to become a man, stretch Diaz's acting repertoire.  Catherine Keener plays Maxine, the third member of the story's bizarre love triangle. Keener gives a sharp performance as the crisp, manipulative colleague who masterfully exploits Schwartz's discovery and talents.  This cinematic effort marks big screen debuts for director Spike Jonze and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman. They have created a film in which unexpected twists occur every time the characters open their mouths.  This film is rated-R.		Happiness found in L.B.   College tuition lowered   Fine Arts buildings to be made over   Overseas scholarship awarded to CSULB student   Crime Log Death is part of war   Gun dealers senselessly targeted Fright Fest   Apollo Four Forty worth import price   Legendary band reunites for new release   Reality film features strong performances   Bizarre comedy film a hit Home schedule ends with defeat   Hockey team clubs its way to existence Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.