Review of Synecdoche, New York (2008) by Katie B — 18 Apr 2010

Similiar to Kaufman's Adaptation, following a writer looking for inspiration but from a bizarre angle. Synedoche, New York begins strongly- establishing a world where Philip Seymour Hoffman's character struggles to maintain his time and space while finding his inspiration during a crumbling marriage.

The main focus of this film is the world within a world within a world that the director builds to create his masterpiece that should be utlimately truthful. This leads to actors playing people in his life and as time goes by, actors playing those actors who are playing people in his real life.

Sounds confusing?

I recommend it people that like their films long, eclectic and involved and for fans of Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine, Adaptation, Malkovich). I'm a big fan of his, but I'm not a big fan of this. To create this film was a remarkable undertaking, its thought provoking, interesting with some great imagery and of course imagination but it lacks the entertaining spark of his better work.