Review of Synecdoche, New York (2008) by Caleb L — 02 Aug 2011

Iâ(TM)m not sure how I feel about this movie. I couldnâ(TM)t tell you if it was entertaining or enjoyable. I canâ(TM)t deconstruct its plot, criticize its direction, or judge its approach. Itâ(TM)s hard for me to even articulate my reaction to the film, let alone critique it.

So why are there 5 gold stars attached to this review?

If nothing else, I strongly feel that this movie is singular, unique, unlike anything that has been made, and something that can never be remade. In turn, the experience of watching this film is singular, unique, unlike anything that may have been experienced before, and something that can never be replicated. This film couldâ(TM)ve only been made by this writer/director, at this time in his career, and at this stage in his artistic pursuits. It is wholly his vision; pure, unadulterated, and put to film. Isnâ(TM)t that what true art really is?

I feel that the witnessing true art occurs when you experience anotherâ(TM)s creation that you know is above you. In other words, you know you couldnâ(TM)t have possibly created yourself, and that it probably couldnâ(TM)t have been created by anyone other than the creator himself. Itâ(TM)s the experience of seeing something that you canâ(TM)t quite fully wrap your head around⦠when you canâ(TM)t quite conceive of the thought processes of the person who brought it into existence. So you simply watch, almost in a state of awe, and experience the film exactly how it is, and how it was meant to be.

Maybe with future viewings I can sort out the minor details⦠like if I was âentertainedâ? or if this movie was well made, paced, and constructed by the standards of modern cinema. But these details ultimately donâ(TM)t matter. All that matters is that this film provided me a unique viewing experience⦠one that I have never quite experienced before and one that I donâ(TM)t think Iâ(TM)ll ever quite experience again. And itâ(TM)s something I wouldnâ(TM)t trade and certainly wonâ(TM)t soon forget.