What I find remarkable about this interview is how he barely talks about himself, how he mentions many people by name, what their roles were in making the movie, and gives them credit for the success of the movie. Seems like a great all around, talented guy.
After watching "Adaptation", it wouldn't surprise me at all if while writing the "Malkovich" script, Kauffman identified with the puppeteer more than anyone else, as some sort of hack fraud. He even got Cusack in full costume as the puppeteer to look down on and rudely dismiss him in "Adaptation".
spike seems to be really good at understanding the emotional core of all the people he works with. His language isn't particularly flowery, but it's clear he's extremely observant, and very intelligent.
This movie left a deep impression on my life, not a depression in the slightest, but a bright imprint of sorts upon my mind. Reflecting back on the other side of the door brings me fond memories of my dreams from childhood. Thank you for such a beautiful storyline filled with beautiful people beautifully seen and captured through a lens. This movie captured my imagination then as a kid, films like this amazed audiences. Being John Malkovich’ inspired me to fill everyday of my life with art ambition and beauty. Thank you for a great interview and a freaking fantastically awesome movie!
Adding “fill light” to “make it look like a comedy” would have been such a terrible thing. Spikes saved this movie by standing up for the Photographer.
Way back before the film was released a friend told me about it. He was very excited. And I thought it sounded crazy. But it was the kind of idea you might have as a joke but Hollywood would never make it. So I wanted to see it. I had seen “in the line of fire”. So naturally he seemed like the right actor to play himself. My point is, I imagined a movie with lots of fill lighting. I expected it. When it wasn’t like that I was instantly very pleased. It instantly became one of my all time favorites and it still is.
I love how everyone forgots John Cusack was in that movie while he was literally the main character. He says Craig a lot but he doesn't mention Cusack once!!
