Synecdoche, New York

Synecdoche, New York (2008)
Directed by Charlie Kaufman
Length: 124 minutes
Rated R for language and some sexual content/nudity



I've been oddly fascinated by this film for some time and have awaited that little red envelope (Netflix if you didn't get it) since I first saw the preview for Charlie Kaufman's first directorial attempt. Kaufman has written some of the more modern classics such as Adaptation (2002), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004), and Being John Malkovich (1999), but up until this film he has never directed. After viewing Synecdoche, New York I can understand why maybe he should just stick to writing.

The premise of this odd movie centers around the character of Caden Cotard, played by the vastly talented Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Doubt, The Boat That Rocked), who is a talented director dealing with the shit of life: that being his artist wife, played by Catherine Keener (The Soloist), leaving with his four year-old daughter, a disease that will slowly take his life, and his own sexual inadequacies with the number of women in his life. Awarded a prestigious grant for developing a play, Caden decides to cope with his problems by developing a massive play that will recreate his life within the confinement of a huge warehouse. Maybe you're beginning to see why I was intrigued by this film; Kaufman is known for his, shall we say, "out there" concepts. One review I read of Synecdoche, New York (IMDB has some great facts that explain the title better) said it best; usually, Kaufman has someone (a director) to reign in his ideas and make them accessible to the audience. Without a director to tone down the philosophical concepts, it turns the film into a real mind-bender.

I won't claim to be smart enough to truly explain the movie as well as it probably deserves; and rest assured, more of you will hate this film than enjoy it. But it definitely is worth a rental. There are still enough moments that will cause you to laugh out loud, as the movie is intended as a dark comedy - a really dark comedy. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is a really gifted actor and is versatile enough to perform in any type of genre. When he needs to be pathetic, he has it down to an art. When he needs to be upset and emotional, you'll empathize with his character's plights. But that is the whole point behind Kaufman's directorial debut. Everyone has problems in their lives. You may think of yourself as an individual with individual problems, but really everyone deals with the same shit, to put it bluntly.

I know most of you will read this and not think twice about forgetting this film. While I certainly can't claim this is the best example of Kaufman's work, it is still worth checking out. You'll still get a few laughs, and you'll get to see a master actor at work. So keep an open mind, invite a friend who is really profound, and maybe partake in a few mind altering substances, and you may wind up really enjoying Synecdoche, New York.

Final Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote:
Caden Cotard: "I don't menstruate, so I don't know how I could smell like I'm menstruating."