Almost There: Cameron Diaz in "Being John Malkovich"
Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 8:10AM 
We asked you to choose the next two subjects of the Almost There series, and you came through. After more than 800 votes overall, Cameron Diaz won out from the new-to-streaming batch. Her against-type supporting turn in Spike Jonze's 1999 Being John Malkovich conquered around 24% of your votes, with Jim Carrey in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind coming in as a close second. So, for now, let's focus on Diaz and her frizzy-haired Lotte…
Cameron Diaz is an actress with plenty of performances that fit the criteria for this series about acting feats that came near to an Oscar nod but failed to make the cut. From her breakthrough in 1998's There's Something About Mary to 2005's In Her Shoes, she was regularly in the awards conversation, often garnering a lot of precursor support before a disappointment come Oscar nomination morning. Of her snubs, none seems more noteworthy than that which came in 1999, after Diaz managed to secure Globe, BAFTA, and SAG nominations for her performance as a puppeteer's discontented wife in Being John Malkovich.
When we first meet Lotte Schwartz, we see her through the eyes of her misanthropic husband, Craig. She's a central piece of his life, but is usually at the periphery of his perception – a good morning kiss, a comforting hug, a tender hand, fragmented gestures, and body parts, never a full person. Jonze's camera indulges in this sidelining of Lotte for her first scenes but gradually allows us to see that there's something more to this woman than her wifely presence. For starters, she's caring to a fault, something that's plain to see thanks to the way she turned her house into a menagerie for animals in need.
However, when the movie lingers on her face, Diaz hints at a sad reality painted over by kind eyes and an understanding smile. There's an unhappiness to Lotte, something that's marrow-deep and unsettling to behold. It's so ingrained that she's learned to live with it and rarely lets any evidence of its existence shine through her mask of shallow sunniness. Only when some bizarre turns of events shake the foundation of her routine does Diaz truly reveal Lotte's depths, her prickly discontentment towards Craig, the caustic need for love that bubbles under the surface, the pent-up sexual want, and much more.
After getting beaten up on the street for the umpteenth time, Craig decides to put his dreams of puppeteering glory on hold and applies for a desk job. His new place of work turns out to be a half-floor of a nondescript office building where, one day, he finds the doorway to a strange tunnel that leads into the mind of John Malkovich. For 15 minutes, anyone can live inside the actor's head before being vomited unto the New Jersey Turnpike. Maxine, Craig's office crush, doesn't seem particularly fazed by the metaphysical and existential ramifications of his discovery, worrying, instead, about the mercenary profitability of the phenomenon. In no time, they have a small business running on the side, selling rides on Malkovich's unsuspecting head.
What prompts Lotte's transformation is her first foray into Malkovich-land, after which she starts to question her identity, her gender, her sexuality, and her own sense of self. More than any other character in the movie, Diaz's animal lover wrestles valiantly with the intimate complexities at the heart of the story's wacky premise. Because of that, she often functions as a grounding element, an anchor tying the absurdist writing to an earthly reality. The situation is only made trickier and more prone to heartbreak when Lotte starts falling in love with Maxine through the proxy of Malkovich's body. Diaz, for her part, matches the script's challenges with impressive actorly fervor.
Far from playing Lotte's obsession and romantic epiphany for laughs, Diaz drains her portrait of any irony. The actress performs it all with the sincerity and the seriousness of a born tragedienne. Even her more endearingly goofy moments, like the nervous flirting she does during a dinner with Maxine and Craig, come off as reflections of the character's inner turmoil. Unlike many movie stars playing dowdy people, Diaz doesn't just rely on cosmetic effects to sell the idea of an unattractive individual who's aware of how others perceive them. During that dinner, she is fidgety, constantly touching her hair and fixing her expression, trying to call attention to herself but hide her body at the same time.
It's a spectacle of mousy self-consciousness that tells us all we need to know about Lotte's trepidation when dealing with Maxine's allure. Such is the actress' talent, that I have to say that nothing delighted me more about this re-watch of Being John Malkovich than seeing how generous Cameron Diaz is as a scene partner. She has great chemistry with everyone, even a chimp, and makes each instance of disconnection from the other actors count as a deliberate, pointed, choice. As she is repeatedly betrayed, caged, and cheated on, Lotte starts to give in to despair, but Diaz never lets us forget that, at her heart, this is a kind-hearted person who cares about those in her life - except, maybe, Craig.
Her goodness is evident and Lotte's naked longing vibrates off the screen, at the same time as passion makes her consider living inside the head of a stranger. At a certain point, that ardor even makes her hold a pistol to the woman she claims to love and threaten her with a swift death. If there's one negative aspect to point out about the performance is that, just like Catherine Keener's unable to make a cohesive sense of Maxine's late-film maternal instincts, so does Diaz struggle with Lotte's homicidal fury. That being said, in both cases, the performers' commitment to the script's oddities make up for the shaky characterization.
Awards bodies and critics certainly seemed to agree back in 1999, with the two actresses receiving numerous nominations in the Best Supporting Actress category. Keener went on to get an Oscar nod, along with Angelina Jolie for Girl Interrupted, Samantha Morton for Sweet and Lowdown, Chloë Sevigny for Boys Don't Cry and Toni Collette for The Sixth Sense. It's an impressive lineup, where Collette probably took Diaz's spot. While I wouldn't take the Australian actress's nod away (she's my winner out of Oscar's selection), I can see why others mourn Diaz's snub. She's given many nomination-worthy performances over the years and, since she quit acting, it seems like we'll never see her get some overdue love from AMPAS.
Being John Malkovich is newly available to stream on Netflix.
Reader Comments (32)
Best choice for an Almost There piece, so wonderful voting readers. I really like this Worthy performance. Am surprised Collette coat-tailed in (personally so pleased she did, but the film’s super hit status got her there) and that we didn’t have two nominees from one film (Most likely Being John Malkovich, or even Girl, Interrupted for Brittany Murphy)
I love Diaz in this - I think she's fully Keener's equal, and wish they both could have been nominated.
The full slate is impressive, and I wouldn't want to lose Collette or Sevigny, but there were so many better performances that year than Jolie or Morton (just look to Magnolia or Mr. Ripley.)
I too think Diaz deserved the nomination, but I don't mind Toni Collette being an Oscar nominee at all.
Besides, 1999 was full of amazing supporting roles by women: Magnolia, Ripley, American Beauty, All About My Mother.
Nix Samantha Morton and put in Cameron Diaz and it's perfect
Thanks for profiling this performance. In Diaz's mere 20 year film career, this performance definitely was her high point. Many laughed when the NYFCC awarded her the Best Actress prize for There's Something About Mary and she giggled her way through her MTV Movie Award speech, but this role really proved that she had chops and it's too bad that she didn't have another chance to prove her worth to this extent. I've also personally never been all that impressed with Jolie's Oscar winning role, like Diaz's timing, also appeared to occur after the previous years of building support with attention getting performances. And I never understood the attention Diaz got for Vanilla Sky 2 years later, although I do admit to picking her to get nominated for Gangs of New York based on sheet momentum before actually seeing her performance in that movie! Yes, Lotte stands alone in Diaz's filmography and really should have garnered her an Oscar nomination.
I know the default position is that the Oscars are hopeless screw ups who never get it right, but at the risk of sacrilege I’d say they pretty much nailed that line up.
Were I to monkey around with the list I would drop Jolie, but Diaz’s very fine work would still have to get in line behind Magnolia’s Melora Walters and Election’s Jessica Campbell.
The fact that that Diaz was supposed to be Maxine and that they swapped roles is so amazing.
I still think they would have nominated Keener over Diaz whichever role she plays.
The Oscars will never think of Diaz as as award worthy, which is sad.
I love that Susanna Kaysen, author of 'Girl, Interrupted' called Angelina Jolie's Oscar-winning performance "histrionic."
I would have dropped Jolie like a hot potato, nominated Diaz in her place (or, going farther outside the mainstream, the wonderful Tina Holmes for 'Edge of Seventeen') and given the actual Oscar to Chloë Sevigny. 1999 was a fantastic year for Best Supporting Actress that was not represented by the Academy's winner at all.
Not the greatest fan of this perf but I totally agree she should have been an Oscar nominee at one point. I know There’s something about Mary is and was not Academy material but Cameron’s NYFCC awarded work could have filled one of the Best Actress spots the previous year. Keener and Malkovich are MVP in Jonze’s film
Should have won hands down.Jolie looks amateurish in GI in hindsight..
On the race
Jolie totally OTT,look at me,cannot sell that last weepy monologue,infact she can't cry convincingly in anything,she's turns into Max Cady at the end,better options around her.
Morton a Woody picture I don't like and that applies to the 2 lead performances
Collette for naturalism and charisma gr8 chemistry with Haley and the car scene.
Keener I was so awe of Diaz in 99 I overlooked Keener,she can't sell that abrupt late shift in Maxine though,a solid nominee.
Sevigny whiny,stiff line readings,no emotion,I did not get the fuss over this performance,Swank walks all over her.
My Nominees
Cameron Diaz in BJM my winner
Jean Smart Guinevere
Julianne Moore Magnolia
Gwyneth Paltrow in Mr Ripley
Toni Collette The 6th Sense.
For the record, my 1999 Best Supporting Actress lineup would look like this:
Cate Blanchett in THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY (winner)
April Grace in MAGNOLIA
Shirley Henderson in TOPSY-TURVY
Nicole Kidman in EYES WIDE SHUT
Julianne Moore in MAGNOLIA
That being said, this was an amazing year for this category.
Other honorable mentions include Collette, Keener and Sevigny from the actual Oscar nominees, Diaz, Manville in TOPSY-TURVY, Helena Bonham Carter in FIGHT CLUB, Marisa Paredes and Antonia San Juan in ALL ABOUT MY MOTHER, Jessica Campbell in ELECTION, Miranda Richardson in SLEEPY HOLLOW, Mira Sorvino in SUMMER OF SAM, Gwyneth in THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY, Jessica Lange in TITUS, and Tilda Swinton in Tim Roth's caustic WAR ZONE. I'm sure I'm forgetting someone, too.
Thank you all for the feedback, by the way. It's always appreciated.
Cláudio - I am thrilled that someone else loves April Grace’s masterful performance in Magnolia. Diaz is great and better than Keener IMO but 1999 is such a tough year to break into. My own ballot -
1) April Grace - Magnolia
2) Gwyneth Paltrow - The Talented Mr Ripley
3) Marisa Paredes - All About My Mother
4) Cate Blanchett - The Talented Mr Ripley
5) Helena Bonham Carter - Fight Club
Angelina Jolie, Antonia San Juan, Julianne Moore, Toni Collette and Whoopi Goldberg (Girl, Interrupted) round out my Top 10.
I also really love Chloe Sevigny but she’s in my Leading race.
Honourable mentions to Diaz, Keener, Kidman and Dunst (The Virgin Suicides).
A banner year for the category - and I still have Summer Of Sam to watch...
I will never comprehend the April Grace obsession for Magnolia.
Jolie won because she's a global superstar that crosses all demographics in terms of popularity. It was her moment being an It girl.
Cameron Diaz deserved better than Hollywood was willing to give. Glad her retirement is giving her a sense of relief. I'm sure some enterprising auteur will Tarantino style bring her back to the forefront and possibly collect an overdue nod and win.
My 1999 Supporting Actress nomnees...
Toni Colette, The 6th Sense
Cameron Díaz, Being John Malkovich (winner)
Catherine Keener, Being John Malkovich
Julianne Moore, Magnolia
Antonia San Juan, All about my mother (Todo sobre mi madre)
It's really frustrating Díaz was never nominated, despite plenty of great performances. I hope she comes back and gets the nom and the Oscar she so richly deserved already.
Loving the nods for Kidman in Supporting for Eyes Wide Shut.
I'd have Blanchett win this year and definitely include Colette and Moore (and Sevigny if she's not Lead) among the nominees - but yeah even though I tend to prefer Diaz when she's allowed to go full-on crazy/funny/lighter, I'd strongly consider her for the last slot or two. I'd favor her over Keener in this.It's remarkable work.
Btw I love that markgordonuk would nominate Jean Smart in Guinevere. I think about her in that all the time. I probably wouldn't nominate her because of the limitations of the role - but she absolutely kills it so I might.
The simple adding of the actual year's nominees at some point of the article is so much better.Great listening to great suggestions to augment your already wonderful blog-making writing.
I am decidedly NOT a fan of this film, but Cameron Diaz sure had a nice late-1990s/early-2000s run with not much to show for it.
If I recall the lead-up, she was a favorite to get a nomination; and Samantha Morton and Toni Collette were the surprises.
Nobody's mentioned her yet, so I'll throw out that my supporting actress pick for that year is Cherry Jones in "Cradle Will Rock".
It was a really strong year in the category, maybe Diaz deserved a nod a couple years later for Vanilla Sky.
My top 5:
1.Samantha Morton (Sweet and lowdown)
2.Antonia San Juan (All about my mother)
3.Julianne Moore (Magnolia)
4.Catherine Keener (Being John Malkovich)
5.Angelina jolie (Girl, interrupted)
Next I have Sevigny, Collete, Kidman, Spacek , Paredes and Diaz.
Jean Smart has 5 - 8 minutes on screen i'd guess but she absolutely kills those moments esp where she confronts Rea's character,the film is a bit of a gem..
Barely remember Catherine Keener in it. Diaz should have been nominated instead. My favorite among the actual nominees is Samantha Morton... she’s so adorable in Sweet and Lowdown.
I do like Cameron Diaz as she definitely earned that NYFCC prize for There's Something About Mary and I think she should've been nominated for Best Supporting Actress in Being John Malkovich. I think it's that she's made a lot of film choices that don't really play into her strengths and talents as an actress or have her work with filmmakers who can play to her strengths. It's a shame she's chosen to retire but I can't begrudge her for being happy right now with her life despite the fact that her husband is a total poser.
Imposter “adri” is so vulgar and juvenile, it’s no wonder they don’t even have the brains to think of their own poster name.
Trolls confuse tawdriness with cleverness, but even then don’t have the guts to do it under their own name.
Jessica Lange for Titus definitely needed more award attention
Finally watched BJM which was on my queue for the longest time due to my love of Cameron Diaz, but after seeing this was next on the Almost There series, that was the extra push. Such an unique and unforgettable film, and now I see why people were so upset at Diaz not getting that nom. I thought Keener was memorable, but Diaz really surprised me here. Also, was Cusack ever in the running for a nom? I know he got a Golden Globe nom for HIGH FIDELITY, and there was some buzz for his performance in GRACE IS GONE. It would’ve been cool to have another Oscar-nominated sibling pair, but he’s been in a lot of subpar projects in the past decade or two. Back to Diaz, I’m very happy she’s found some peace and happiness, and if she ever decides to return back to acting, I’m sure we’ll all welcome her back with love. Meanwhile, I just finished her white wine over the weekend which was delicious. Now to chill the rosé for this week.
She definitely got my vote and should have been nominated for BEING JOHN MALKOVICH. It's easily her best performance. I also love Diaz in THE COUNSELOR. While the movie as a whole is an entertaining mess, her performance always stands out to me.
Hiro - What adri said is vulgar only because of an actual quote, the humor is the possibility of such a tawdry line being an Oscar clip (despite the Oscars not choosing clips like that). Unless "Hiro" is the actual adri or a Peggy Sue/Joan Castleman than I think you've let out a personal grudge or axe to grind when it wasn't necessary. It makes you look above board and arguing in good faith if you wait for an inevitable infringement from a troll. And trust me the trolls don't leave you long to wait for one!
Anyway, I'm sure you're usually a good/better person than this.
Michelle P -- Hiro is correct. That was a troll. I've spoken to the actual Adri who is no longer using that name due to the troll. Sigh. This is why i will have to reinstitute the moderation (double sigh)
Apologies. I hope that Hiro was upset because of the knowledge of somebody intimidating and bullying adri out of their name and not what this imposter posted, which was fairly innocuous.
So messed up that she missed out on an Oscar nod TWICE when she was definitely in contention. She was so great in this movie. I haven't seen Vanilla Sky yet, but I know she deserved it for that one as well.
It's also always unfortunate when someone you LOVE got that fifth slot... like, I was sad when Mila Kunis was snubbed, but I knew Jacki Weaver got her spot, and I would want them both in.
Same here. I know Toni Collette got her spot, and I love that nod, but I wish they had both gotten in.
I hope she comes back and gets a nod one day. It would actually be cool to see her work with Tarantino. He could bring her that overdue nod, like Jennifer Jason Leigh.