Review: Synecdoche, New York

This was on? Curse having to be in bed by 10pm.
Hopefully it's on the channel 4 iplayer thing.

This whole film is like the kind of arrogant mind-wrong of a sixth-form student. The kind of tosser who'd name their character John Everyman but Kaufman does it knowlingly, uses it to free the story and make a point. That the guy's name is Cotard is brilliant exposition (Cotards Syndrome is an illness where the patient believes they're dead). The beautiful metaphor of the ever burning house to represent mortality will stick with me a long time after this film is over and it couldn't be done within a normal constraint, it is intentionally surreal and contrived in order to focus and move things along.
I do love the whole lack of structure, restraint or respect for any kind of reality which has been abandoned in favour of making a savage unrelenting point. You're going to decay, you're going to die, you're not special, you're going to be forgotten and nothing you ever create will last. The sense of inevitable relentless decay is only made worse by the characters time-lapses in which he loses years of his life in the space of weeks.

This could well be Kaufman creating his vision of himself in the form of Cotard, who creates himself in the guy he hires to play him, and so on in an endless vain attempt to create something honest and lasting. It's a brilliant way to make a point about the denial of the absurd life (Sorry, I'm going into Camus mode now). The scope of this film is quite remarkable, there's so much going on it's beyond me. I wouldn't say it's enjoyable but I would watch it again just for the sheer depth of ideas.

The semi-ending is wonderful when Sammy the replacement accepts the mortality that Caden can't. Even after it's all over, Caden still can't even accept the death of his other self. It really crystlizes the main message that would otherwise be far too easy to miss in amongst so many ideas. Brilliant brilliant film that, in the modern world, couldn't have come from anyone but Charlie Kaufman.

Edited at 01:27 on 18/01/11

I thought it was brilliant in every possible way. A complete headfuck, fo'sure, but with just enough sense to keep you exploring the idea and yet the right amount of unexplained craziness to leave you on the brink of complete mind paralysis.

Already looking forward to seeing what Kaufman does next.

Just saw this now... the smoke has cleared (and then some), and if I'm not mistaken, this movie is critically hailed as one of the best of the 00s (if not the best). Just sayin'.

Personally I loved it, and my mind was blown throughout, even though I can agree with some of Anna's points. More than anything I'll say that I was pretty confused by the time I got to the ending, and so this deserves another watch, but it's one that I'll enjoy for sure. Though, I'll give it some time, hah, it's not exactly what you'd call "easy" watching. So, now that you've seen this, Ali, Goatboy, etc. etc., what did you think?

Kaufman has always been divisive. I think anyone bold enough to purposely derail the entire third act of his film as he did in Adaptation gets the benefit of the doubt.

This looks mad as a benny on the loose, but I'll see it eventually. Needs more Gondry though. See the 'Let Forever Be' video for worlds within worlds within worlds etc.

I'll watch it if it ever comes to my town, simply because films that try to do more than provide flashing lights and explosions should be supported.
I'd rather be baffled & confused that sit gormlessly watching giant robots fight each other on motorways whilst nubile girls scream for help.
Unless the movie has giant Kevin Costners fighting each other, that would be awsome

Kaufman is what drew my interest to this but having read the reviews, I got the feeling this was just a bit too weird, convoluted and ambitious for a first time director and for me as well. I might rent it sometime in the future when I'm bored.