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Movie Review: Synecdoche, New York Alternate Title: Theater of the Absurd
Story: Synecdoche
(si-nek-duh-kee) is a riddle wrapped in an enigma or some other head
scratching work of art and bullshit. The definition of synecdoche is
as confusing as this muddled film. It is a figure of speech by which
a part is put for the whole (as fifty sail for fifty ships), the whole
for a part (as society for high society), the species for the genus
(as cutthroat for assassin), the genus for the species (as a creature
for a man), or the name of the material for the thing made (as boards
for stage).
Written and directed by Charlie Kaufman
we meet a middle aged man, Caden Cotard, who spends most of his time
obsessed over his insignificance, health and mortality. He is a regional
theater director who wins a 'genius' award (a MacArthur Grant) which
allows him to finally create his life's meaningful work. Sadly it will
take the rest of his life to figure out just what his life work is all
about and we get to live that with him.
The film starts out very promising but as soon
as Cotard's wife and little daughter leave him for fame and fortune
in Europe the film starts to erode and dissemble. Characters come and
go, people age in odd time flows and after a bit - I just did not care
anymore.
I like writer Charlie Kaufman's work but this
film was overstuffed, self-indulgent and simply not worth your time.
Sorry Charlie.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIizh6nYnTU Acting: Philip Seymour Hoffman as Caden Cotard, always
gives a good performance but this time his character did not have the
special essence that leaps off of the screen.Samantha Morton
as Hazel, was delightful. Michelle Williams as Claire,
was good too. Catherine Keener as wife Adele, did not
get enough screen time for me. Emily Watson as Tammy,
was wonderful as always. Dianne Wiest as Ellen Bascomb/Millicent
Weems, came in late to the play,movie/lifework and I wanted more of
her. Jennifer Jason Leigh as Maria, was her usual loony
self. Hope Davis as the therapist was a hoot. Trivia: The Cotard delusion or Cotard's
syndrome, also known as nihilistic or negation delusion, is a rare neuropsychiatric
disorder in which a person holds a delusional belief that he or she
is dead, does not exist, is putrefying or has lost his/her blood or
internal organs. Rarely, it can include delusions of immortality. Writer/director
Charlie Kaufman is notorious for avoiding the press
and in particular dislikes the idea of being interviewed on television.
His first and only television interview was for Charlie Rose at the
end of March 2004. 3 of the 5 movies he has penned so far are based
around real people in fictional situations: Susan Orlean, John Laroche
and himself in Adaptation. (2002), Chuck Barris in Confessions of a
Dangerous Mind (2002), John Malkovich in Being John Malkovich (1999)
(obviously).
Predilection: I like Charlie Kaufman's work and will
not give up on him.
Sex Spectrum: Some fumbling around.
Opening Titles: Simple titles superimposed over the
opening sequence.
Visual Art: The attention to detail was the best
part of the film.
Theater Audience: About 20 other confused theater
goers.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 3
Squirm Scale: If discussions about poop and other
bodily functions and malfunctions are disturbing to you then the squirm
factor will soar.
Drift Factor: I started looking at my watch at about
an hour into the film.
Predictability Level: I did not have a clue where
this was going.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: If you are a Charlie Kaufman
fan then the big screen is the way to go. You can also rent some of
the better films he has written such as:Adaptation, Confessions of a
Dangerous Mind, Being John Malkovich and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless
Mind
Length: Too long at a bit over two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 4 |