{"id":40202,"date":"2008-10-19T09:20:39","date_gmt":"2008-10-19T16:20:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lookingcloser.wordpress.com\/?p=4803"},"modified":"2013-03-22T16:13:20","modified_gmt":"2013-03-22T22:13:20","slug":"film-forum-charlie-kaufmans-synecdoche-new-york","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/lookingcloser\/2008\/10\/film-forum-charlie-kaufmans-synecdoche-new-york\/","title":{"rendered":"Film Forum: Charlie Kaufman’s “Synecdoche, New York”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Reviews for Charlie Kaufman\u2019s Synecdoche, New York<\/em> are piling up at GreenCine Daily<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ll post other memorable responses here soon. I\u2019m seeing the film on Thursday, and, if all goes as planned, interviewing Kaufman on Friday. If you have any questions for him, let me know.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s Alissa Wilkinson\u2019s review at Christianity Today Movies<\/a>, an admirable summation of a very complex film. Well done, Alissa!<\/p>\n

Make no mistake: Synecdoche<\/em> starts out plausibly enough, but by the end it has completely (and purposefully) veered off into fairy-tale territory. At this point in his career, writer\/director Charlie Kaufman could be called the founder, or at least the patriarch, of a cinematic brand of naturalistic surrealism. This is his directorial debut, but he\u2019s best known for writing brain-benders Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Adaptation<\/em>, and Being John Malkovich<\/em>. Kaufman has a unique voice in today\u2019s cinema. He can take a twisted premise that only occasionally dovetails with the real world and still somehow strike a chord in the audience\u2019s consciousness.<\/p>\n

\u2026<\/p>\n

At its core, Synecdoche, New York<\/em> is a brilliant, gut-wrenching plunge into the painful work of facing the decisions we make and choosing to either continue onward, or live in regret. It\u2019s a powerful reminder that the choices we make each day matter \u2014 not just in our own lives, but in the lives of those around us. Those looking for some light entertainment to go along with their popcorn will likely come away frustrated, but those who are willing to take the plunge will find plenty to chew on for a long time.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Amen!<\/p>\n

I just saw the film, and I\u2019m overwhelmed. It\u2019s a profound, and profoundly disturbing, piece of work, depicting one man\u2019s desperate and relentless search for meaning and consolation in a world where fulfillment can only be found through art and human relationship. Sadly, God is not a part of this man\u2019s perspective.<\/p>\n

I spoke with Kaufman last night at a public Q&A, and this morning in a small round-table interview. I\u2019ll be writing that up for you soon.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, here\u2019s another article by Liz Ohanesian in the LA Weekly<\/a>, which explores Kaufman\u2019s first experience as a director.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Reviews for Charlie Kaufman\u2019s Synecdoche, New York are piling up at GreenCine Daily. I\u2019ll post other memorable responses here soon. I\u2019m seeing the film on Thursday, and, if all goes as planned, interviewing Kaufman on Friday. If you have any questions for him, let me know. Here\u2019s Alissa Wilkinson\u2019s review at Christianity Today Movies, an […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1051,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[527,61,2462],"class_list":["post-40202","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","tag-alissa-wilkinson","tag-charlie-kaufman","tag-synecdoche-new-york"],"yoast_head":"\nFilm Forum: Charlie Kaufman's "Synecdoche, New York"<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Reviews for Charlie Kaufman's Synecdoche, New York are piling up at GreenCine Daily. 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