Displaying items by tag: John Malkovich

MINDCAGE

US, 2022, 96 minutes, Colour.

Martin Lawrence, Melissa Roxburgh, John Malkovich, Rob Knepper, Aiden Turner.

Directed by Mauro Borelli.

For audiences who enjoy detective stories, especially in the pursuit of serial killers, Mindcage is an unexpected surprise.

The plot is quite complex. Six years earlier, a number of sex workers have been murdered, an artist using plaster, making them statues, adorning them lavishly, presenting them as angels. Jake, Martin Lawrence, was one of the detectives finding The Artist, but witnessing his partner pouring gasoline over himself and setting himself alight. He is still traumatised.

The film opens with a priest going into a church and discovering a victim, the plaster, the adornment, an angel. Once again Jake is involved in the investigation, working with his superior, Rob Knepper, but a difficult relationship with his partner, Mary. Mary is played with great strength, the main character in the film, by Melissa Roxburgh, a detective with a psychology background, and gradual revelation of a difficult upbringing, an abusive father, her marrying a former priest, her commitment to her work.

The key to the effectiveness of the serial killer is the presence and performance by John Malkovich, one of his most sinister. He is a controller, proud of his artwork and killings, some flashbacks to his childhood explaining why his victims were sex workers, the whole background of his artwork. Mary visits him in prison, his promise of collaboration, his knowing all about her, his background of illness, his seizures.

There are various suspects throughout the film, but a final revelation, twists, psychologically possible, or not, the final confrontation and Mary proving herself finally superior to The Artist.

1. A different serial killer drama? Investigation?
2. The American city, streets, police precincts, churches, prisons and cells, art studios, sinister homes and basements…? Atmosphere? The musical score?
3. The intricacy of the plot, the murders, The Artist, the pursuit, arrested, Jake and the death of his partner, setting himself alight, in prison, his cell, drawing, John Malkovich and his performance, presence, appearance, way of speaking, the doctor supervising him, the death sentence?
4. Jake, as a detective, his manner, with the authorities, with Mary, the tensions, the new murders, Mary as partner, the brutal relationship, discussions? Her volunteering to interview The Artist? Jake not going in, listening outside? His reactions, his story, memories, the investigation, the discussions with Mary?
5. Mary, her back story, her abusive father and burning his hand, his dying, Mary not going to see him, her marriage and relationship to her husband, former priest, the planned trip to Rome at the Vatican, devoted to her work? Psychology background? With Jake, her manner? With Lt Owings, his trust in her, backup? Going to the prison, the encounter with The Artist, the to and fro, her manner, the conditions, his wanting stay of execution, wanting his paints and artwork back? Her granting these? The paintings, the mythology, Samael and Lucifer, the art of Hieronymus Bosch?
6. The new killings, the opening in the church, the priest, the victim adorned as a lavish angel? The further killings, the women as sculptured, embalmed, decorated, angels? The moments of discovering, the shock for those finding the dead women? The backgrounds, sex workers? The kidnapping of the governor? Her being chained in the basement? The issue of the stay of execution?
7. Mary, the further discussions with The Artist, his knowing all about her life, her father in hospital and dying, the abuse in the past, her marrying the former priest, her dreams and anxieties? Issue of belief and disbelief?
8. The buildup, the discovery of the bodies, the chemicals used? The wings and the discovery of the bottle? The missing point of the compass? The later discovering the whole compass?
9. The vagrant and Mary, at the car, home invasion, suspect, death?
10. The Artist, the supervision of the psychiatrist, his phone calls, with Mary, promises, his seizures? And the flashbacks to his story, his art, his mother and sex work, her spurning his art, injuring him, the brain damage, two years in the wheelchair, looking out at the children, his sketching, discovering the art and the mythologies?
11. His giving the address, the discovery of the Lieutenant Governor? His sculpting Mary, her understanding, opening the sculpture, finding the address? Jake, his appearance, The Artist inhabiting him? The confrontation with Mary, her shooting him? The revelation about The Artist and his powers to inhabit other people? Inhabiting Jake, killing and designing the angels through him?
12. Mary, with the Lieutenant, with her husband, the aftermath, the plan to go to Rome? Her father’s funeral and going to see him?
13. The doctor appearing at the cemetery, possessed by The Artist, the turning of the tables, his sucking the end of the pen, Mary putting the poison on it, his death?
14. The ultimate impact of the various twists, art, madness, murder, detection?

OPUS

US, 2025, 104 minutes, Colour.

Ayo Edebiri, John Malkovich, Juliette Lewis, Murray Bartlett, Melissa Chambers, Tony Hale, Stephanie Suganami, Amber Midthunder.

Directed by Mark Anthony Green.

Although it was chosen to screen and the Sundance Festival, Opus received fairly negative critical reviews and failed at the box office.

However, if you want something interesting that is not always predictable, with some themes inviting reflection, you could do worse than see Opus. (This review is in favour.)

At first we are taken into the contemporary media world, press and magazines stories, radio and television, the world of music and entertainment. And the central character is Ariel, played by a Ayo Edibiri, a lively and versatile young performer, award-winning for her role in the TV series, Bear, but also very in films, after the Hunt, Ella McCay. She is young, ambitious, wanting to do research, write stories. Her rather jovial insensitively ambitious boss is played by Murray Bartlett.

There is a lot of talk in the film about a singer and media star of the 1990s, Alfred Moretti, who has been absent from the limelight for 30 years. Suddenly, he sends an invitation for the launching of a new album, Ariel specifically included in the invitation.

And, then, transition to the deserts of Utah and a remote, rather lavish, mansion and site, the home of Moretti.

One of the great advantages of this film is the fact that John Malkovich plays Alfred Moretti, not what we might expect of a star of the 90s but he soon convinces us with his smooth talk, storytelling, charm, eccentricities, then his actually singing and his eccentric dance movements and visual and suggestive imagery. And, John Malkovich can do it (and he could even do variations on his persona in the 1999 Being John Malkovich).

But, the welcoming scene is overdone, lavish, and Ariel and ourselves noticing so many people on the property, dressed uniformly in blue, children and adults, education, workplaces – and then the word is mentioned, “cult”. If this sounds an intriguing mixture, it is.

All guests, including Juliette Lewis as a television host, are treated with great hospitality, exotic meals, their host singing with intriguing lyrics, their all being fitted out with new wardrobes. But, then the move towards some dramatic violence.

The sinister aspects of the cult soon emerge, and Ariel trying to escape, trapped, getting loose – and Moretti making a speech with all his followers standing with champagne flutes (and audiences who remember the mass suicide in Jonestown will be thinking of that). And they drink.

But, that is not exactly how the film ends – some more intriguing characterisation, the fate of Moretti, Ariel having success with a bestseller about her experiences, and the suggestion that the atmosphere of cults with charismatic leaders and power over their followers is still among us.

1. The life and work of Alfred Moretti? His career, retirement, his commitment to the Level?
2. The world of the media, print, radio, television, New York, offices? The journey through the Utah desert? The centre, the buildings, the grounds, interiors? Costumes and decor?
3. The range of songs, the lyrics, dramatising the musical style and performance of Alfred Moretti? And the sinister aspects of the cult?
4. The focus on Ariel, age 27, skill in writing, wanting to be a journalist, stories, interactions with Stan, his gentle demeanour, but wanting to do the writing with her notes, taking credit?
5. The reputation of Alfred Moretti, his career in the 1990s, evocative, provocative, lyrics, visual imagery, movement and gestures? After 30 years? The prospect of a return?
6. Invitation, Ariel, the discussions with her friend, anxious for a career? His urging her to create perspective? her being invited, joining the group, Stan, Clara and her past relationship media, Bianca, paparazza, Emily, The influences, Bill and the media, interviews, previous clashes with Moretti? The personalities, eager to be associated with Moretti? The plane, the welcome, the lavish treatment, the travel on the bus, the instructions, through the desert, the arrival? The fans outside, the touch of the fanatic?
7. John Malkovich as Moretti, an idiosyncratic personality, the charm, sinister aspects, his speeches, jokes, his songs and performance, the welcome to the guests, renewing old acquaintances? His speech, the dinner, talking with Ariel, her questions? The emergence of the current atmosphere, the people of all ages, education, work, craft? Concierges and guards? Jorg and his story at the meal, telling her real? The others with their personal stories?
8. The Level, Levellers, the philosophy behind the cult, religion, achievement, talent, democracy, the emergence of those who are talented, brands and intelligence? Moretti and his leadership, the episode with the oysters and the searching for the pearls?
9. Ariel and her experience, the concierge on guard, the bubblegum sounds, listening to the song in the room, the screens and surveillance, everybody listening to the song? Ariel, going jogging, running through the compound, all the encounters? And the discussions with Moretti?
10. Bill, the massage, his talk, his being killed, the body in the way, Ariel and her fear not noticing it?
11. The day proceeding, Emily and her disappearance, the later appearance in the cushion, the diagnosis, her face, contortions, her death? The tour, Stand being shot with the arrow, the boys apology? Ariel and becoming more suspicious?
12. The gathering, the performance of the song, eccentric, mannerisms, the lyrics? Moretti and his reaction, the press conference, asking the question, Ariel and her knowledge of Julius Caesar and her answers? The appearance of Emily? Clara and her wig, being pulled? Stan and his being stabbed? Ariel, disturbing Moretti, her escape?
13. Ariel, trying to escape, wanting to leave, the sinister attacks on her, the little girl and her friendship, the puppet show, the rats and the critique of Billie holiday?
14. Ariel, in the attic, the concierge coming through the window, her being captured, bound with Clara? The sympathetic member, cutting her bonds, information about her escape? The fire?
15. Her running, the pursuit, climbing the fence, the fan outside (the previous scenes of the fans and their posters), Ariel taking his car?
16. Two years later, the flashback to the police arriving, the members of the cult drinking the champagne, assumptions that it was like Jonestown, the revelation that they were going throughout the world, permeating all kinds of jobs for the Level to overcome? Moretti in jail?
17. Ariel, the publication of the book, her success, visiting Moretti in jail, his admitting the murders, his manipulating her to write the book and publicise him?
18. The TV interview, the interviewer wearing the Level pearls… And the future?

MR BLAKE, AT YOUR SERVICE/ COMPLETEMENT CRAME

France, 2023, 99 minutes, Colour.

John Malkovich, Fanny Ardant, Emilie Dequenne, Philippe Bas, Eugenie Anselin.

Directed by Gilles Gardinier.

This is a surprisingly nice French film. The French title is somewhat obscure. The English title much more indicative. And in some areas, there was a new English-language title, Well Done!

And the question, of course, who is Mr Blake?

In fact, we find at the opening of the film, that he is one of Britain’s leading business entrepreneurs, about to be given a significant honour at a crowded banquet, but not turning up, not feeling up to the occasion, really wanting to retire and disappear. And, he has been grieving for his deceased wife. So far, so intriguing.

But, for many filmgoers over the decades, the actor playing Mr Blake will be something of a surprise. At the end of the 90s, there was an interesting fantasy film exploring identity, actors and their characters, Being John Malkovich (and the actor himself contributing to the issues by appearing in the film). Mr Blake is played by John Malkovich.

Looking back over the career of John Malkovich, light comic touch is not a quality that immediately comes to mind. He can be extremely enigmatic. (A recent example would be his character in the television series, Ripley, with Andrew Scott.), He has a distinctive voice. It can sound menacing. And he has often been a sinister villain.

And, while he still looks the same here, and sounds the same, he is challenged to be a very nice person – and, surprisingly, he succeeds very well.

The story is somewhat tongue in cheek. Mr Blake decides to retreat from the world, return to the French château where he first met his wife, hoping to settle there quietly. The château, visually magnificent interiors and lavish grounds, is managed by a widow, played by Fanny Ardant (who has also played some serious, sometimes sinister, roles in her past but who is really charming here). Mr Blake thinks that rooms are available and would like to stay. This turns out to be a great misapprehension!

The housekeeper, a Odile, very strong minded and determined, has placed an ad for a Butler and makes the assumption… Mr Blake is given a pokey room, given the time of trial to see whether he is suitable as a Butler – and his big advantage is that he is English and therefore the possibility of being a proper Butler personified.

So, the enjoyment of the film is seeing Mr Blake becoming the Butler and how he handles the expected routines. After a rifle being pulled on him, he befriends Magnier, one of the workers on the estate (who actually is very shy but is attracted to Odile). And, there is the maid who comes in regularly and is now pregnant, the father of the baby vanished. Mr Blake has to be something of a Fairy Godfather, so to speak, listening to all the characters, providing opportunities for them to develop and flourish, trying his best to help the owner of the château who is trying to manage the finances, being forced to sell the château.

And, at one stage, who should turn up but his close friend from England and his wife, enjoying ribbing Mr Blake about his new status and his serving drinks…

It is amazing how John Malkovich embodies Mr Blake, being kind, helping, some comic moments (the wig and lipstick so that Magnier might polish his table manners and learn how to speak to Odile), the robbing of a hoity-toity so-called friend of the owner of the ring, the complicated way to help the owner and her resistance.

And, nice romantic touches, the visit to the Cemetery, the sad truth about the owner’s marriage.

For audiences, probably older rather than younger, who would like a very pleasing film night out, Mr Blake is definitely at your service.

1. The title, French and English? The focus on Mr Blake?
2. The settings, London, the banquet, flat? Transition to France, the countryside, the château, interiors, the grounds? The musical score?
3. John Malkovich is casting as Mr Blake? Against type? His success?
4. The introduction to Mr Blake, the banquet, the crowd, announcements, the award? The phone call, his not wanting to go? Richard and his reaction?
5. Mr Blake, leaving London, going to France, arrival of the château, his expectations of a room, memories of his first meeting his wife, meeting Odile, the reaction, her ad for a butler, his shock, the pokey room? On trial? His agreeing to the situation? The perfect English butler?
6. Nathalie, her situation, the death of her husband, financial, the plan to rent rooms, renovations and expenses, the pressure to sell the château? Her personality, her response to Mr Blake, as butler, busy with her expenses, talking to the mannequin of her husband, the later revelation of the truth about his mistress, the is to in the grounds but no words? Her manner, towards Magnier, compassion towards Manon and the pregnancy, allowing her the room and the château? Working with the Odile, housekeeper, maid? Not wanting Mr Blake to interfere, underestimating him?
7. Mr Blake adjusting to the situation, the dress, the routines of the butler, service, trays? A Odile and her demands? The mobile phone, Magnier and his rifle, they’re talking, friendship? His attraction to a Odile, the loner, awkward? Helping with the video of the gate? Other jobs? Mr Blake and the wig and lipstick, the rehearsal for good manners, talking to women, the effect on Magnier, Mr Blake softening Odile, her response? Manon, the pregnancy, the father going off, sleeping out, her mother rejecting her, Mr Blake getting the room, Nathalie and her permission? The household? Mr Blake having to be a kind of Fairy Godfather?
8. The obnoxious visitor, the chat, disdain towards the butler, Nathalie selling her ring, the decision for the robbery, masked, frightening the woman, giving it up, the restoration?
9. The visit of Richard and his wife, the pretence, enjoying having Mr Blake serving drinks as the butler? The later return, the negotiations for the finance?
10. Mr Blake ending the tenure, staying on, the personal relationships, the relationship with Nathalie?

The revelation of who he was? Support – an