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Synecdoche, New York (2008)

Synecdoche, New York (2008)
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Synecdoche, New York marked the directorial debut of iconoclastic, cerebral screenwriter Charlie Kaufman. Philip Seymour Hoffman stars as Caden Cotard, an eccentric playwright who lives with artist Adele Lack (Catherine Keener) and their daughter Olive in Schenectady, upstate New York. Prone to neuroses, misgivings and enormous self-doubt, Caden also begins suffering from accelerated physical deterioration - from blood in his stools to disfigured skin. Upon receiving a prestigious MacArthur grant, Caden decides to use the money to concoct one gigantic play as an analogue of his own life; he builds massive sets amid a New York City warehouse, casts others as his friends, family and acquaintances, and casts others to play the ones he's casting. After Adele whisks Olive off to Europe but demonstrates no sign of returning soon, Caden drifts into a series of relationships with lovers - first with box office employee Hazel (Samantha Morton), who purchases and moves into a house that is perpetually on fire; then with Tammy (Emily Watson), an actress assigned to play Hazel in the theatrical project; and subsequently with others. Unfortunately, the play itself grows so big and unwieldy - and rehearsals go on for so long, taking literally decades - that it becomes unclear if the production itself will ever launch.

~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

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Starring:
Philip Seymour HoffmanSamantha Morton, (more)
Director(s):
Charlie Kaufman
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD  |  Blu-ray
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Synopsis of Synecdoche, New York

Synecdoche, New York marked the directorial debut of iconoclastic, cerebral screenwriter Charlie Kaufman. Philip Seymour Hoffman stars as Caden Cotard, an eccentric playwright who lives with artist Adele Lack (Catherine Keener) and their daughter Olive in Schenectady, upstate New York. Prone to neuroses, misgivings and enormous self-doubt, Caden also begins suffering from accelerated physical deterioration - from blood in his stools to disfigured skin. Upon receiving a prestigious MacArthur grant, Caden decides to use the money to concoct one gigantic play as an analogue of his own life; he builds massive sets amid a New York City warehouse, casts others as his friends, family and acquaintances, and casts others to play the ones he's casting. After Adele whisks Olive off to Europe but demonstrates no sign of returning soon, Caden drifts into a series of relationships with lovers - first with box office employee Hazel (Samantha Morton), who purchases and moves into a house that is perpetually on fire; then with Tammy (Emily Watson), an actress assigned to play Hazel in the theatrical project; and subsequently with others. Unfortunately, the play itself grows so big and unwieldy - and rehearsals go on for so long, taking literally decades - that it becomes unclear if the production itself will ever launch.

~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
124 mins

Complete Cast of Synecdoche, New York


Director(s):
Charlie Kaufman
Writer(s):
Charlie Kaufman
Producer(s):
Anthony BregmanSidney KimmelCharlie Kaufman
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Categories:
Drama
Synecdoche, New York Awards:
  • 2008 - Austin Film Critics - Best Original Screenplay
  • 2008 - Independent Spirit Awards - Robert Altman Award
  • 2008 - Independent Spirit Awards - Robert Altman Award
  • 2008 - Independent Spirit Awards - Robert Altman Award
  • 2008 - Independent Spirit Awards - Robert Altman Award
  • 2008 - Independent Spirit Awards - Robert Altman Award
  • 2008 - Independent Spirit Awards - Robert Altman Award
  • 2008 - Independent Spirit Awards - Robert Altman Award
  • 2008 - Independent Spirit Awards - Robert Altman Award
  • 2008 - Independent Spirit Awards - Robert Altman Award
  • 2008 - Independent Spirit Awards - Robert Altman Award
  • 2008 - Independent Spirit Awards - Robert Altman Award
  • 2008 - Independent Spirit Awards - Best First Feature
  • 2008 - Independent Spirit Awards - Best First Feature
  • 2008 - Independent Spirit Awards - Best First Feature
  • 2008 - Independent Spirit Awards - Best First Feature
  • 2008 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Production Design
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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    Member Reviews
     
    Natalie W.

    I've heard so many people say this movie changed their world, but I now believe those people suffered so much that they wanted others to suffer, too. Haphazard, ill-conceived symbolism doesn't make a movie worth watching. I started hoping Caden would kill himself to make the movie end faster when I was only like 30 minutes in.

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    Ann G.

    This is the most underrated and ignored film I have seen in a long time. Hoffman is terrific, and the film itself merits multiple viewings. It's witty, poignant, complex -- and most of all, true.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Jeremy R.

    The greatest film to come out in the 21st century, the director sets out on an ambitious quest to capture life in all its glory and contradictions in art, which is also what the protagonist tires to achieve. The film itself stands as that unachievable art, the truest representation of life.

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    Read All 136 Reviews