Review of Synecdoche, New York (2008) by Daniel S — 01 Dec 2015
If you thought Being John Malkovich, Adaptation or Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless mind were puzzling, Synecdoche, New York, writer Charlie Kaufman's directorial debut, will be a jigsaw with circles for pieces.
Synecdoche is incredibly surreal, almost dada-like in nature. It's Kaufman's Satyricon, his Holy Mountain, his Eraserhead, if you will. But that's not to suggest it isn't emotional. Never before have I been so emotionally moved and heartbroken by something so bizaare.
Like most surrealism-heavy films, you shouldn't focus on extracting a conventionally-structured narrative, so much as be taking in the emotions, the images, the feelings that all function on both primitive and highly intellectual levels.
As beautiful and soaring as it is ambitious, with yet another brilliantly nuanced performance by Hoffman, and a stelllar (however brief) supporting performance by Keener. One of the best, and most odd, films of 2008.
This review of Synecdoche, New York (2008) was written by Daniel S on 01 Dec 2015.
Synecdoche, New York has generally received positive reviews.
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