Thursday 18 March 2010

Synecdoche, New York (Review)


Is a movie good because the rest are rubbish? When the regular stream of films offered by Hollywood feels so repetitive and cliché-ridden, does that give a left-of-field flick a golden chance to break through regardless of its quality?

That and many other questions were crossing my mind as the final credits of 'Synecdoche, New York', rolled up on my television screen. The brainchild of Charlie Kaufman, the writer behind cinematic gems such as 'Being John Malkovich', 'Adaptation' and 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', 'Synecdoche' had a lot to live up to. The movie works in a similar way to the aforementioned ones, blending the mundane with the surreal. In this case we have hapless theatre director Caden Cotard's (played impeccably by Philip Seymour Hoffman) chasing the Holy Grail, his magnum opus: the play everyone will talk about. By chance he gets a MacArthur grant which enables him to hire a group of actors and actresses who will re-enact their own banal lives inside a gigantic warehouse. But Caden has his own problems and his life is far from dull. He and his wife have been distant for some time (hilarious and cracking scene at the counsellor's office), his health deteriorates rapidly and when his wife leaves him to begin a new life in Berlin, she takes their daughter with her, thus, plunging him into a crisis.

'Synecdoche' functions as a meta-representation of New York and modern society in general, with its neuroses and existential angst. The flaws, and in my opinion there're just a few, are self-inflicted. A movie like this, carrying so many metaphysical motifs in an already crammed plot, will either delight or disappoint audiences. At times I felt bombarded by symbols: the burning house Hazel (Caden's estranged girlfriend) purchases, the blurring of lines between dream and alert states, Adele's (Caden's ex-wife) miniature paintings. And at just over two hours long, I felt that the editor's shears should have come out more often.

But the main theme in 'Synecdoche', that of the play (a part) representing New York, or even the US (the whole), makes for compelling viewing. Caden, as the director intent on creating a piece full of gritty realism, is an example of artistic integrity, especially in our times, when mediocrity triumphs over uncompromising art so often. His medical condition, which makes his body shut down its basic functions gradually, raises questions about our lifestyle and its consequences. And the wordplay combining Schenectady, an actual place and the film title is a stroke of genius.

Coming out as it did in the same year 'RocknRolla' and 'Sex and the City' were also released, 'Synecdoche' is a bold cinematic step in the right direction for Charlie Kaufman, and I can't wait to see his next film. As for my two opening questions: not applicable on this occasion, but still relevant, I think.

Copyright 2010




Next Post: 'Sunday Mornings: Coffee, Reflections and Music', to be published on Sunday 21st March at 10am (GMT)

14 comments:

  1. Thanks Cuban, I really wanted to see this when it came out but it missed Dumfries by (how strange). I shall now seek it out - I presume it's made its way to DVD?
    Enjoyed the review, and the ponderings. And I think your first questions, if not relevant here, are very relevant right now.

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  2. Synecdoche. I have only seen the word (probably in a George Will column) but never knew what it meant...or even how to say it. I love the internet. It is a delightful play on the two words. And I totally would have missed most of the symbols. I always have to remember that most everything in a movie was put there for a reason...and the better the writer and director, the more it really matters.

    Those were provocative questions, too. I have to admit I'm a sucker for the big splashy movies, but some of the small independent movies have really been impressive.

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  3. I really enjoyed this film and luxuriated in his inability to finish his project, knowing that in such a position, with what appeared to be endless funds, choices, and no deadline, I would be exactly the same.

    I was convinced by those opening questions that you were going to pan it, by the way.

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  4. I missed this when it came round and heard either hate it or love it reviews from friends. Thank you for reminding me of it, though; I am definitely adding it to my Netflix list.

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  5. Good morning London! I love Philip Seymour Hoffman and am always on the lookout for a movie that grabs - thanks, once again, for putting me onto something I was, heretofore, blissfully unaware of.

    I don't know why you aren't making money at your book/music/movie reviews (maybe you are?? I hope..) because they are, hands down, the best I've read.

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  6. Hola Cubano! I loved "Being John Malkovich" and "Eternal Sunshine...", I thought they were excellent. I would love to watch "Synecdoche" as well. I happened to watch Rock'n'Rolla very recently and liked it a lot, even wrote about it in my blog.

    Happy weekend!

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  7. Many thanks for your kind comments. I do write reviews, Deborah and sometimes I get paid for them and some other times they are completely voluntary. I used to write more regularly for the now defunct (I think) monthly newspaper Noticias, the supplement of the Latin American community in London. Poor pay but at least I had total freedom to write about what I fancied. I will be posting one of those columns very soon. And like you, I love Philip Seymour. He is one of the most versatile actors I've come across in recent years. Truman Capote, the creepy guy from 'Happiness', there's no end to the guy's thespian power.

    Eryl, ditto here. Titus, I saw the film on DVD. Most of the films I've reviewed so far have been rented using LoveFilm, which is the equivalent of Netflix in the States, seems to me. I've gone for either movies I've seen before and want to watch again (Danton, La Historia Oficial, An Angel at My Table) or films I hadn't seen but I knew they would be good like Synecdoche.

    Have a nice weekend everyone.

    Greetings from London.

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  8. I remember when this came out and was intrigued, although not enough to see it! Phillip Seymour is gifted but sometimes his performances seem a little indulgent to me. You're exactly right about Hollywood rubbish, I look fto you for my Netfilx suggestions!

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  9. Hard questions to answer. A movie may seem good compared to others but I think each movie must stand alone and on its own merits. Just like people and blogging. Its uniqueness and appeal may make it good or not. Hmmm, something to ponder for sure. Nice clip.

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  10. Thank you for your comments.you spread lights to my blog :)Bergen is a nice little place to live.Verdal is a place in North of Norway.Many millionaires from there..won in lotto !!:)I will take more pictures from our city if you like.Thank very much for interesting blog and comments.I see i have a great deal to learn.Thank very much again and a happy weekend to you and all your friends.Hugs!!!

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  11. Well, I'll say... I've never even heard of this movie. And I love Philip Seymour. How did that happen that I missed this movie? Thanks to you I now have a new movie to look out for... or rather, to look for. Amazon will solve that problem. This doesn't look like a Netflix movie; it's an Amazon... which means that when I'm done watching, I get to keep it. ;-) Thank you for the awesome review, Cuban!

    Nevine

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  12. Thanks for letting me know about this. I haven't even bothered to see what's on at the cinema because it seems there's nothing worth watching. Everything I've heard about looks so pointless. I'll keep a look out for this one, though.

    Jai

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  13. I'd wanted to see this one when I heard about it, especially as it has PSH in it, one of my all time favourite actors. Thanks for the reminder.

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  14. Thank you very much for your kind feedback.

    Greetings from London.

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