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jekylljuice · 06-02-2009, 12:05 AM

Synecdoche, New York

The latest mind-bending journey from screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind*). As much as I enjoyed it, and as much as I was moved and enthralled by it, I find myself at something of a loss for words right now. In short, I loved it, but I haven't yet been able to pinpoint what it was about it that most stood out for me. It doesn't have a distinctive, madcap storyline a la Being John Malkovich, nor the same degree of character or playful reflexiveness of Adaptation - though, like the latter film, it works by blurring the boundaries between reality and fiction, and, like Eternal Sunshine, the similar boundaries between objectivity and subjectivity. The common themes of loneliness, self-entrapment and the desire to make one's mark in the world that pervade Kaufman's works are all there, as is his quirky sense of humour (even if it did start out a little too scatologically for my tastes), and the ending leaves that same lingering, somewhat unsettling (in the case of Malkovich, tenfold) aftertaste. And, as with all the aforementioned films, these ingredients are all complimented by a strong lead performance - coming from Philip Seymour Hoffman, I certainly wouldn't expect anything less.

I didn't fully understand this film, but nonetheless, I look forward to picking it up on DVD a little later in life.

*(still haven't seen Human Nature)

06-02-2009, 12:05 AM	#1879
jekylljuice Executive Weasel Ball jekylljuice was here. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: the 44th floor (not counting the mezzanine) Posts: 1,568	Synecdoche, New York The latest mind-bending journey from screenwriter Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). As much as I enjoyed it, and as much as I was moved and enthralled by it, I find myself at something of a loss for words right now. In short, I loved it, but I haven't yet been able to pinpoint what it was about it that most stood out for me. It doesn't have a distinctive, madcap storyline a la Being John Malkovich, nor the same degree of character or playful reflexiveness of Adaptation* - though, like the latter film, it works by blurring the boundaries between reality and fiction, and, like Eternal Sunshine, the similar boundaries between objectivity and subjectivity. The common themes of loneliness, self-entrapment and the desire to make one's mark in the world that pervade Kaufman's works are all there, as is his quirky sense of humour (even if it did start out a little too scatologically for my tastes), and the ending leaves that same lingering, somewhat unsettling (in the case of Malkovich, tenfold) aftertaste. And, as with all the aforementioned films, these ingredients are all complimented by a strong lead performance - coming from Philip Seymour Hoffman, I certainly wouldn't expect anything less. I didn't fully understand this film, but nonetheless, I look forward to picking it up on DVD a little later in life. (still haven't seen Human Nature) __________________ That's it, The End, But you'll get over it, My Friend. Last edited by jekylljuice; 06-02-2009 at 08:14 AM.*