Monday 12th August 2010

Synecdoche, New York

Director: Charlie Kaufman
Year: 2008
Stars: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener

Finally having a free evening, Dan and I thought it would be nice to sit down and watch a movie. We couldn't really decide what to watch, so on the strength of some pretty positive reviews and an "well, it could go either way" attitude we plumped for Synecdoche, New York.

The film follows Caden Cotard (Hoffman) through his life as he contemplates his own existence. Of course, it might not be his life, but just his thoughts, as things all get a bit odd.

The reviews, in the main, state that the film looks at some of the most important issues in life, and deals with them well. What a pile of crap. This film is nothing but self-indulgent, over-important codswallop made by somebody who has spent far too much time in Hollywood. It has basically no plot to speak of, and makes no attempt to answer anything it asks within the film. I get that this may be the point, but call me old-fashioned - I like my films to have something at least resembling a plot. And if you don't think about life, death and the fact that - yes, for most of us, people won't remember you much really when you're gone, then you're a very shallow person. You shouldn't need to watch such a depressing mess of a film to know these things.

There is nothing redeemable about this movie. It's plotless, boring, way too full of its own self-importance, and has nothing to say you shouldn't already know. Oh, and mental note to self: I never like Philip Seymour Hoffman films. They're always self-indulgent claptrap. Avoid. Note to others: Go and watch Inception instead - at least that director respects his audience.

Rating: 0 out of 5 (yes, it's really that bad)