Indie Gems: Synecdoche, New York

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I'm not sure what I just watched but man, did I like it.

That's a thought I had frequently when watching Synecdoche, New York for the first time. Several times I was like "wait, what?" but never in a bad way.

Caden (Philip Seymour Hoffman) is a theater directing suffering from somewhat of a mid life crisis, despite him being very good at his job. He wants to achieve something different, so he takes a crew to a warehouse to build an elaborate mock up version of New York. As he gets deeper into this, the rest of his life takes a strange course. 

It's very depressing for me to watch movies with Hoffman in them now, knowing he's no longer with us. He's so talented, and it's a shame he's gone. But at the same time, I love seeing this films of his I missed for the first time. He really is a powerhouse here, and the expansive cast is wonderful as well. The make up also stands out as we follow these characters through several years.

The film is pretty ambitious, and sometimes the lines are so blurred that it's easy to get a little lost, but I can't help but appreciate it as a whole. It's very clever and well done.

Grade: B

Memorable Quote: "Everyone is tattooed." - Claire (Michelle Williams)

Comments

  1. DellApril 3, 2015 at 7:37 AM

    You enjoyed this one better than I did. It's definitely ambitious. I just don't think it pulled off what it was trying for. Felt too cryptic and way too convoluted. The performances were great, though.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 3, 2015 at 9:54 AM

      I can see that, it was hard to follow at times, but it worked for me.

      Delete
  2. UnknownApril 3, 2015 at 8:49 AM

    It is hard to see Hoffman onscreen now, isn't it? I felt the same way about Heath Ledger when re-watching 10 Things I Hate About You yesterday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 3, 2015 at 9:43 AM

      I know. Hoffman and Ledger were two of the greats. I love watching them, and feel terrible at the same time. I kind of want to re watch The Master and I'm a little afraid.

      Delete
  3. s.April 3, 2015 at 9:10 AM

    It's such a fantastic movie. The monologue during funeral is my favorite movie quote of all time

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 3, 2015 at 9:42 AM

      I should've used that one! Sometimes I have issues with the long quotes from memory. ha

      Delete
  4. AnonymousApril 3, 2015 at 12:04 PM

    I really, really like this film. It's such a unique story, and so special because of that. Hoffman...UGH...I hate that he is gone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 4, 2015 at 6:36 AM

      I do to. I get depressed all over again when I think about it.

      Delete
  5. JoshApril 3, 2015 at 1:01 PM

    Glad you liked it. It really is a fascinating little movie.

    ReplyDelete
  6. LukeApril 3, 2015 at 3:01 PM

    It's great that you like this. This one takes a lot out of me so I don't watch it as often as some of my other favorite movies. Especially considering the passing of Hoffman. Caden Cotard is one of his best performances. At least in the top three.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamApril 4, 2015 at 6:36 AM

      Oh for sure. It's not my favorite Hoffman movie, but it was still so good.

      Delete
  7. thevoid99April 3, 2015 at 7:02 PM

    I saw this on my 28th birthday and it was quite difficult to decipher yet it's grown on me over the years. It is a very bold and ballsy film. I hope Charlie Kaufman does make a grand return.

    ReplyDelete

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