Filmikaze!

By: Charlie Kaufman (director, writer)

Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Samantha Morton, Michelle Williams, Catherine Keener, Emily Watson, Dianne Wiest, Hope Davis, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tom Noonan

A theater director struggles with his work, and the women in his life, as he attempts to create a life-size replica of New York inside a warehouse as part of his new play.

At this point, I have a certain level of expectation when I watch a Charlie Kaufman film. His stories are extremely cerebral, often almost to the point of stream-of-consciousness, and in retrospect, I really should have saved Synecdoche, New York for a night when I was less tired. I genuinely feel like, despite being able to clearly recognize many of the themes Kaufman is exploring, the film went way over my head, or maybe just past it in that way creative processes of others sometimes do. It was an interesting film, compelling in unexpected ways, but I’m going to have to watch it at least once more before I can properly review it. There’s brilliance in there, but I’m not articulate enough at the moment to pinpoint and describe it. I actually considered watching another movie for tonight and saving my review of this one for a rewatch, but I didn’t have enough time. So, consider the star rating possibly temporary, as it is subject to change once I finally find the time to give this film the thorough attention it clearly deserves.