Synecdoche, New York

Now if like me you’re a big Charlie Kaufman fan, then you’ve probably already sought out this film. However for those who aren’t fans of Kaufman may I recommend watching Synecdoche, New York, his first directorial effort. Not quite a tear jerker, but certainly a very sad film. The sheer ambition of the film is absolutely incredible, and it takes on many different themes. The film, like many of Kaufman’s, is set in a complicated alternate reality. Some of you might remember the New York from Being John Malkovich, well the New York of Synecdoche is equally off kilter, if in a more spartan way.

The film revolves around Caden played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, and his creative difficulties and ego. Hoffman’s performance is spectacular, with the famously critical Robert Ebert arguing that his performance opens up the film to everyone. I would agree with Ebert, but at times the film is incredibly esoteric, with many of the mêmes requiring a reasonable knowledge of film to infiltrate. The major themes are still related to the challenges of the everyman, but in order to understand some of the film it might be best to seek out some highfalutin film theory. Caden’s character is also easier for some to empathise with than others, being a white middle-aged theater director. I can already see how feminist critics would tear the film apart, as the only character you are asked to empathise with is Hoffman’s. Mentally you can’t help but choose between Caden’s numerous romantic interests, in a way that is reminiscent of Fellini’s 8 1/2 (incidentally one of my favourite films of all time). However all films need a vehicle for the viewer’s emotions, and Caden serves well as a character.

If one were to look at the narrative of the film, the main peaks and lows would revolve around the romantic and theatrical success of Caden. However the film attempts to be about far more than that. At the very heart, this film is almost all encompassing. In fact Caden almost sums up the intent in one scenem when trying to describe his play he says “it’s about everything, dating, birth, life, death, family all of that.” One of my favourite character’s was the psychologist, who could be likened to one of Hitchcock’s icy blondes. However I see the psychologist as being part of our desire to understand ourselves, and how we can understand ourselves on other people’s terms rather than our own. Caden’s quest to understand himself is ultimately doomed from the beginning. Kaufman wants the viewer to realise that analysing oneself inherently brings about change, but also that life is far too short to become quite so self important.

Anyway, that was the view of a very cliché uni student. If you’re still reading by now, you’ve probably done better than most.