Synecdoche, New York

by Dano on 19-May-09 12:12

Last night the South West Screen Film club went to see Synecdoche, New York. It had us talking well into the night. If you have seen it, let us know what you think.

Synecdoche, Film Club review by DeCoursey

Last will and Testament of Jeremy DeCoursey Oh, sorry wrong place. But slightly apt considering the content of the Charlie Kaufman's directing debut Synecdoche, New York. Let me start by saying that I think some of Charlie Kaufmans previous work has been some of most thoughtful I have seen in the past few years. Every time I watch Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind I seem to see something that I had either forgotten, or hadn't noticed. So, Synecdoche, New York.

First off what's with the title. I cannot pronounce the title, and to me it doesn't really mean anything. Going to buy my ticket, and not being able to say the name of the film isn't always the best. I was kinda hoping that during the course of the film, it was going to say the title at least one, so I might be able to hear how it's actually pronounced. To the review, from the above I hope you can see that, regardless of not being able to say the title; but I am a fan of Charlie Kaufman so was looking forward to it. The film looked great, there are scenes from a constantly burning house, to the facasard of a set-building being made. The city within the warehouse was nothing more than impressive. Slightly dodgy greenscreen moments, but that's fine.

Phillip Seymour Hoffmans acting was superb; he seemed to suffer from OCD and loads of other mental illnesses. And it's funny. His make-up to make him look older was great, I know I was sitting there wondering how they were doing it. BUT It's long. It's run time is just over 2 hours, but it seems like 5 hours long. Just after an hour I was just waiting for Hoffmans character to die, as it was ineitiable. Every time someone else died I though "oh, still not Cotard" Another problem is trying to work out ... what's fiction, what's happening, whats happened, what's in his head etc. Some of this includes; Cotard reading his daughter's diary, while she had been out of the house for 14year, yet it seems to be up to date.

Because of this blurring of realities I found it very difficult to know what was in his mind and what was actually happening... this isn't nessicary a bad thing. But certainly contributed to the film seeming longer than what it was. Finally I think If you go in with Kaufman on a pedestal then you will walk away thinking that the film is a masterpiece. Otherwise, I think you will just try to keep on top of the plot. (sorry if this waffles or doesn't really make much sense... just keeping in style with the film :D)

Tagged:South West Screen Film Club, Film

trillbilly - said on Fri May 22, 2009, 13:09:29:

Re: What did you think?

i loved the film but had a hard time making it through toward the end. i had to watch it again after it all sunk in. part of developing my understanding of the film was to read the definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synecdoche

nortonia - said on Fri May 22, 2009, 10:35:17:

charles kaufman

i think charles kaufman is much too clever for his own good. what's more he seems intent on showing us this at every possible opportunity. he's like some precocious kid scientist.

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