Despite how hard I try, I cannot seem to remember the first time I saw John Malkovich in a film.
My gut is telling me it was probably Con Air, but as I dig deeper, I realize I have sadly only seen (as of this writing) thirteen of his films (I’m a tad embarrassed to reveal some of the essential ones I have yet to see). Even so, it does not take many of his films (and I imagine his work on the stage) to see that he is more than just a solid talent. He has a unique quirkiness about him in his manner and delivery that is hard for me to put my finger on, yet is never dull. That is why his work in Wild Horse Nine is so darn good.
Written and directed by Martin McDonagh, the film takes place back in 1973, when CIA agents Chris (Malkovich) and Lee (Sam Rockwell) leave their station in Chile to vacation at Easter Island. Chris is one of the premier agents in the CIA, with a history of operations I won’t ruin here, but he is nearing the end of his career. Lee is assigned to make sure Chris is not letting too much be leaked out in his upcoming memoirs.
Even with a relatively small cast (about eight or so), the characters are nothing short of memorable. There are two young college-aged students that the agents keep running into, where politics is often discussed (the students are very liberal in the Chilean environment of 1973). While brief, Parker Posey makes the most of her time as Lee’s very estranged wife. Then there is MJ, the boss of Chris and Lee. Played by the ever-effective Steve Buscemi, he, like the rest of the characters, harbors his own secrets.
Despite the friendship/mentorship between the agents, there are definitely moments where Chris seems to give off the vibes of a Grandpa one needs to keep an eye on before he says something bad. It is the dynamic between Malkovich and Rockwell that is worth the ticket price alone. It helps when you have a script from McDonagh, a true maestro in black comedy, when expressed between two characters (see In Bruges, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, and The Banshees of Inisherin). The only downside is that, while Malkovich is the one with the most awards buzz, it would not exist where it is not for Rockwell (who himself has won an Oscar for McDonagh for the aforementioned Three Billboards…)
Parents, when Martin McDonagh makes a film, it is not for kids. While the film has no real sexual content or nudity, his take on black comedy is more than peppered enough with profanity (and some violence as well). The R rating is completely justified here.
In the past, very few categories at the Oscars have been as competitive as Best Actor. Still (as of this writing), Malkovich is the frontrunner, all the more impressive considering his role is in a comedy. Historically, comedic roles don’t win Oscars (especially in the lead categories), but it can happen now and again.
For Malkovich, it looks like that now and again.
(Helped, of course, by talking about the connection of democracy, cheese, and homosexuality).
He and the rest of the cast and crew make this a sublime classic peppered with dark humor.
Overall:
