Synecdoche, New York

First off, the film is incredible - no complaints there. It is a dense, sometimes alienating, but richly rewarding and personally affecting film. The acting and actors are all good, with the notable exception of Philip Seymour Hoffman... who shines above the rest with (what my now be seen as) a personal performance; almost animalistic in it vulnerability, but deeply human in its complexity. The production design is impressive, the visual effects are subtle, the direction is very solid. But the thing that make Synecdoche, New York a 5 Star film ("the best of the decade" according to Roger Ebert) is the screenplay. What Charlie Kaufman has achieved transcends the limitations of conventional cinema. The screenplay may not be the most romantic, entertaining or thrilling, but it is intricate, dense, and personally rewarding for those who want to delve into Kaufman's mind - surely one the greatest screenplays ever written. I have always thought to myself that if you don't like this film then you can count yourself as lucky, because that means you aren't as troubled, depressed and anxious as the people shown in this film. The Extras on the Blu-ray are mostly substantial, but ultimately unrewarding for the films biggest fans (or skeptics). In and Around Synecdoche, New York - goes into the production of the film, from the design, makeup, and effects. The Story of Caden Cotard - an interview with the late Philip Seymour Hoffman about his character. Infectious Diseases in Cattle - a bunch of "blogger" sit round a table for half-an-hour being discussing the film, flimsily covering there obvious lack of knowledge into the intricacy of the screenplay. Screen Animations Script factory masterclass with Charlie Kaufman - a paradoxical lesson about writing from the writer who seems so against the idea of unoriginality in cinema writing. Postage and Packaging is all good, got here (the UK from the US) is a reasonable amount of time, undamaged. But the actual Blu-ray case is thinner than other Blu-rays I have, it is about 9 mm "deep" (I'm not sure if that is the right word, but I hope you get what I am saying), rather than the conventional 15mm "deep". Is this because it is from America, the land where the only things thin seem to be their paychecks and their blu-ray cases? Overall, buy this blu-ray for the film if you are an incredibly troubled individual. If you don't worry about death, love, life, art, purpose or meaning then stay clear of this film. Also I would recommend you watch all other Kaufman films first to get an idea of the themes and ideas at play in Synecdoche New York (Being John Malkovich, about art and existence, Adaptation, about the writing process and purpose, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, about Love, life and the mind).

Charlie Kaufman just gets better and better, and more and more enthralling! If you enjoyed Being John Malkewich, Adaptation, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, etc. then you will really enjoy this film. I hardly need to say more than that. (Others here have put it far more elequently than me!!) It's dark, weird, puzzling, strange, bizarre, totally original and utterly absorbing. I even thought there were shades of Eraserhead every now and then. Particularly when Caden is visiting the various medicos, due to his paranoia about his health, with the ominous hum of machinery ever present in the background! Definitely one to watch again. There seems to have been a real campaign against this film on the basis that there aren't any subtiltes on the DVD! I sympathise with those who are hard of hearing who have been unable to enjoy this film because of the lack of subtitles. But to give it a one star review on that basis is totally misleading. This facility should be used for reviewing the film itself, NOT the way the DVD is produced. As a result, the average star rating has been completely, and negatively, distorted through no fault of the film itself. However, after the main protagonists had mumbled their way through the first few minutes, I, too, tried to put on the subtitles, (because I think if there's dialogue there, it must be worth hearing) only for it not to work. I thought it was the fault of the player, or the remote wasn't working. So I just went back and watched it again and picked up more the second time! My own personal criticism of the dvd producers (as other reviewers here have pointed out) is putting "hilarious" on the cover, and "smash-hit comedy of the year". (And a 4 star review from the News of the World?? Who were they trying to kid? Was it because Emma Watson takes her top off and says "Fancy a ****?" or words to that effect...) Surely they must realise that this just gives the completely wrong impression! Funny peculiar, yes, but not funny hilarious! If I could give this film more than 5 stars, I would!!

I'm not sure if I'd call it the "smash-hit comedy of the year", as the box this two-disc dvd set came in proudly proclaimed, but there are funny moments. And tender moments. And heart-wrenching moment. Synecdoche, New York is a brilliant movie, excellently paced (though slower than most films in the modern day; fitting, given the scope). It's an amazing journey, with unreliable narrators and narcissistic protagonists. It's everything we want life to be - and everything we wish it wasn't, often mixed to the point where they can't be kept apart. It's probably not for everyone - but if you like movies with layered meanings that can be watched again and again for a fresh experience and don't mind a film that's happy to share its story with you at its own pace... Then you'll have a blast.

...not to mention a fantastic acting performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman and superb backup from the cast. The basic plot: a toiling theatre director from upstate New York wins a lucrative grant to bring a play to New York, where he converts a warehouse into a mini-metropolis, complete with actors playing actors from his own plays and his own life (including himself). Charlie Kaufman (writer/producer of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Adaptation and Being John Malkovich, among others) has produced his best work (this he wrote and directed). If you like Kaufman you'll love this -it's richer, weirder and more complex, but nevertheless, one of those films you don't want to end.

Excelent thank you!

„Synechdoche, New York“, ein Titel, den ich erstmal drei mal lesen musste, bevor ich ihn drei mal falsch aussprach. Auf dieses Werk bin ich nur zufällig gestoßen, als ich ein Video in „youtube“ gesehen habe und zwar auf dem tollen Channel „Yourmoviesucksdotorg“, hier empfehle ich auch unbedingt das Analysevideo (4 Parts) vom gleichen Channel, natürlich erst wenn man diesen Film gesehen hat. Charlie Kaufmans Debüt als Regisseur. Wer ist Kaufman? Nun, jetzt nach dem Sehen des Films würde ich sagen, dass er einer der talentiertesten und besten Drehbuchautoren und auch Regisseur ist. Er arbeitete öfter als Produzent mit Spike Jonze zusammen, der 2013 einen meiner Lieblingsfilme überhaupt rausbrachte: „Her“. „Synechdoche, New York“ ist ein ganz besonderes Filmereignis, wie ich es nur selten gesehen habe. Nicht nur, dass der Film zum mehrmaligen Gucken zwingt, er ist auch eine bildgewaltige und wunderschöne Metapher für das Leben. Das Genre wird hier als Tragikomödie betitelt, dabei ist der Film so viel mehr! Er ist wie ein Gemälde: Je länger man drauf sieht, desto mehr sieht man wirklich! Theaterregisseur Caden Cotard merkt mit der Zeit immer mehr Krankheiten, die ihn scheinbar befallen. Er geht zum Arzt, lässt sich untersuchen, doch es kann nichts festgestellt werden. Dann verlässt ihn seine Frau, er verliert seine Tochter und auch sonst scheint nichts in seinem Leben zu funktionieren. Doch die Lösung scheint in einem neuen Theaterprojekt zu kommen, das alles bisher Gesehene auf den Kopf stellen soll… „Synechdoche, New York“ ist ein schwer zu beschreibender Film. Er ist ein Kunstfilm, der keinen Wert auf Realismus, sondern auch Bildsprache legt. Wer hier eine Komödie aus Hollywood erwartet, wird sicherlich überrascht oder vielleicht auch enttäuscht. Auch ich wusste anfangs nicht, was auf mich wartet und nach der Hälfte war es schon schwer mitzukommen. Einfach zu verstehen oder zu begreifen ist dieses Werk nicht. Man muss konzentriert dabei sein, erst dann kann man vielleicht verstehen, was hier gezeigt wird. Und vor allem entfaltet sich das Genie hinter diesem Werk erst mit mehrmaligem Sehen. Da wird nämlich klar, was für ein tiefgründiges und durchdachtes Werk Kaufman hier kreiert hat. Wen ich kurz sagen müsste, worum es in dem Film geht, würde ich sagen: Das Leben und die Zeit, die man zu leben hat. Doch das wird dem Film in keinster Weise gerecht! Auch die Trailer sind nicht sehr aussagend, deswegen einfach für wenig Geld kaufen und Ansehen. Ja, Ansehen! Das schreibe ich normalerweise ins Fazit, jetzt schreibe ich es hier schon, denn ich möchte so wenig wie möglich über Kaufmans Werk verraten. Die Darsteller sind alle toll, im Zentrum steht Philip Seymour Hoffman, der hier eine seiner besten Leistungen zeigt! Mit dabei sind Michelle Williams, Jennifer Jason Leigh und Hope Davis und alle liefern tolle Arbeit. Besonders beeindruckend sind aber der Soundtrack und vor allem die stellenweise genialen Bilder, die Kaufman kreiert. Nahezu jede Einstellung ist eine ausgeklügelte Komposition, die sich stundenlang analysieren lässt (ich empfehle hier nochmal das Analyse-Video von „YMS“ auf „youtube“!). Doch der Star des Films, ist der Regisseur! „Synechdoche, New York“ hat trotzdem einige Dinge, die manchen Leuten bestimmt sauer aufstoßen, auch wenn sie gewollt sind. Etwa die schnellen Schnitte an manchen Stellen, die Länge des Films und einige Figuren werden nicht so klar charakterisiert, wie andere, doch das sind in meinen Augen Kleinigkeiten! Fazit: Dieser Film ist was Besonderes und sollte nicht ungesehen bleiben. Im Kino konnte er finanziell kaum überzeugen, doch sowas macht ja keinen guten Film aus. „Synechdoche, New York“ sollte man sich auf jeden Fall ansehen, auch wenn er nicht jedem zusagen wird. Hier haben wir etwas Einzigartiges, ein Werk, das jedem Zuschauer Raum für eigene Interpretationen lässt und trotzdem ein riesiges Universum zeigt. Ein geniales Werk, der meine Sicht auf die Filmwelt ganz schön aufgerüttelt hat!

Una auténtica obra de arte filmográfica que hipnotiza al espectador desde el principio hasta el fin. Hoffman impecable como siempre.

If you liked Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind -- all written by Charlie Kaufman -- you owe it to yourself to see his directorial debut, at least once! Kaufman has done an excellent job of directing a fine ensemble cast, with production design that makes the whole story realistic despite the dreamlike way events unfold. The result has plenty of emotional impact, if you don't get too distracted and disoriented by the hallucinatory qualities of the story. One of the running gags in the film is the director's absurd attempts to come up with a title for his creation, which grow more and more absurd, and never arrive at the actual title of the film. The "Synecdoche" of the title refers to a figure of speech in which the name of a part represents the whole, and you'll see how that fits; but it's also a pun, because the story begins in Schenectady, New York. This invites comparison (in the literary world) with Joyce's Finnegans Wake, and both seem to give us a whole lifetime compressed (or repressed?) into a single dream; but the characters here don't shift identities as much as they do in FW, and Kaufman doesn't play with the language in Joycean fashion. The dialogue is plain as day, often very memorable and very funny, but it throws its light on a story with all the quirky twists and turns that you'd expect from a writer like Kaufman. Like Adaptation, this is a portrait of the artist (in this case a theatre director/playwright) at work on an oddball project, but here it grows to impossible proportions. It's also like David Lynch's Inland Empire (and Mulholland Drive) in being a drama about movie-making where the lives of the actors and the characters they play become inextricably and inexplicably entangled. This kind of film certainly isn't for everyone, but if you enjoy watching the boundaries between life and art, or dream and reality, dissolve, then it's for you.

Me ha pasado ha dos veces. Para que vender película sin subtítulos en español en Amazon Mexico? No me quejo por la calidad del envío o del Blu ray. Solo de el hecho de que vendan productos que no tiene algo que el comprador necesita.