Comments on: TIFF Review: Synecdoche, New York http://www.rowthree.com/tiff/synecdoche-new-york-2/ Thu, 24 May 2012 19:12:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Glenn Loucks http://www.rowthree.com/tiff/synecdoche-new-york-2/#comment-157 Glenn Loucks Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:40:30 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/tiff/?p=764#comment-157 My brain sort of felt a little tired after this flick. Not that I mind giving my brain some exercise, but I'm not a fan of the self indulgence here. I'd describe it as a guy who gets sucked up so far into his own a-hole that he comes back out through his own brain again several times over, if that makes any sense. Can't help but wonder if this is what Kaufman might be like in real life. His movies are very hit or miss with me, except this one which was a minor hit. Usually I like good characters first, followed by a good story second. Here, the story engages me as much, or more, than the people in it. My brain sort of felt a little tired after this flick. Not that I mind giving my brain some exercise, but I’m not a fan of the self indulgence here. I’d describe it as a guy who gets sucked up so far into his own a-hole that he comes back out through his own brain again several times over, if that makes any sense. Can’t help but wonder if this is what Kaufman might be like in real life. His movies are very hit or miss with me, except this one which was a minor hit. Usually I like good characters first, followed by a good story second. Here, the story engages me as much, or more, than the people in it.

]]> By: Kurt http://www.rowthree.com/tiff/synecdoche-new-york-2/#comment-137 Kurt Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:38:48 +0000 http://www.rowthree.com/tiff/?p=764#comment-137 Well said Rot. Coming out of the screening (Just Now). My first thoought was that the film was those russian dolls where we start in the centre and gradually pull out (opposite to the usual way off looking at those things), that you mention the dolls pretty much prevents my urge to write up the film, so I'll just comment. I look forward to discussing this one in person though. One element that you didn't describe above is simply how much of an egotistical trip the thing is (moreso than Adaptation even). I found the film occasionally drowned in its own primordial soup. This is most definately Charlie Kaufmann's "8 1/2" A film that will likely resonate completely differently at each age/life-period you watch it. I don't think it hit home emotionally (it undercuts and self-mocks in an almost self-abnegating way) to the degree that Eternal Sunshine did for me. But then again, that is probably as much reflective about my age (33) than about the film. Ouch, my own ego is getting in the way now. I liked the film. A Lot. But didn't love it as much as I thought I might. See, it's all about me. Doesn't that disgust you? (on a bit of an unrelated note, I found it amusing how similar Emily Watson and Samantha Morton look in the film, it was yet another bit of weirdness. Well said Rot. Coming out of the screening (Just Now). My first thoought was that the film was those russian dolls where we start in the centre and gradually pull out (opposite to the usual way off looking at those things), that you mention the dolls pretty much prevents my urge to write up the film, so I’ll just comment. I look forward to discussing this one in person though.

One element that you didn’t describe above is simply how much of an egotistical trip the thing is (moreso than Adaptation even). I found the film occasionally drowned in its own primordial soup.

This is most definately Charlie Kaufmann’s “8 1/2″ A film that will likely resonate completely differently at each age/life-period you watch it. I don’t think it hit home emotionally (it undercuts and self-mocks in an almost self-abnegating way) to the degree that Eternal Sunshine did for me. But then again, that is probably as much reflective about my age (33) than about the film. Ouch, my own ego is getting in the way now.

I liked the film. A Lot. But didn’t love it as much as I thought I might. See, it’s all about me. Doesn’t that disgust you?

(on a bit of an unrelated note, I found it amusing how similar Emily Watson and Samantha Morton look in the film, it was yet another bit of weirdness.

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