
Synecdoche, New York
2008, Comedy/Drama, 2h 4m
194 Reviews 50,000+ RatingsWhat to know
critics consensus
Charlie Kaufman's ambitious directorial debut occasionally strains to connect, but ultimately provides fascinating insight into a writer's mind. Read critic reviews
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Where to watch
Synecdoche, New York Photos
Movie Info
Life is looking pretty bleak for theater director Caden Cotard (Philip Seymour Hoffman). His wife and daughter have left him, his therapist is more interested in plugging her new book than helping him with his problems, and a strange disease is causing his body to shut down. Caden leaves his home in Schenectady, New York, and heads to New York City, where he gathers a cast of actors and tells them to live their lives within the constructs of a mock-up of the city.
Cast & Crew
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Caden Cotard
Caden Cotard
Samantha Morton
Hazal
Hazal
Michelle Williams
Claire Keen
Claire Keen
Catherine Keener
Adele Lack
Adele Lack
Emily Watson
Tammy
Tammy
Dianne Wiest
Ellen Bascomb , Millicent Weems
Ellen Bascomb , Millicent Weems
Critic Reviews for Synecdoche, New York
Audience Reviews for Synecdoche, New York
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Oct 08, 2015Intentionally or no, this film is an entertaining and farcical trip. Synecdoche is mainly about finding out the truth about oneself by looking at one's relationships to other human beings. It is a romantic film, but in an amazingly absurd one at that. To enjoy this film, one has to be able to just go with everything that happens (all manner of weird and crazy things) and maybe make some sense out of it or not. (And for those that do like a challenge, there is plenty of brain candy strewn throughout the background of the film.) Synecdoche is reminiscent of Woody Allen films (as well as 8 1/2 and Barton Fink), though the energy level is higher: more manic and more depressive. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is a great fit for the lead role with a performance that highly projective, the world is his shadow. The main character is honestly and apologetically imperfect (again, reminiscent of the Woody Allen characters, but also very different) and striving. It is hard to know who to recommend the film to since it is just a bit on the dark side. Those who love arthouse films will probably pick up on a lot that is in it, and enjoy it. But there is also plenty in there, plenty of drama and humor, for the casual viewer. Whether or not you enjoy it, may be highly dependent on whether or not you are in the mood for the experience.Robert B Super Reviewer
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Sep 15, 2015A portentous, pretentious film that draws on Fellini's 8 1/2, Bergman and Woody Allen but never manages to become an original, coherent piece on its own. The work is so fragmented and delights so much in its own playful fragmentation that it becomes tedious in the end and whatever existential message it contains feels convoluted and shallow. Charlie Kaufman, who is famous for bringing post-modern sensibilities in screenwriting to Hollywood audiences, gives in under his own ambition here. The actors are doing some excellent work though and they are the only reason to see the film.George M Super Reviewer
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Jun 15, 2014[img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]Directors C Super Reviewer
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Oct 08, 2012I waited four years to finally see this. It's a long time for a film I was really looking forward to when it was first announce. This isn't for everyone. It's a very, very complex screenplay with lots and lots of intricate elements and themes. This is a film that requires more than one viewing to get it all, if it's possible. The performances are amazing and Kauffman is as good a director as he is a writer. My first experience with this film is a successful one, the film moved me in unexpected ways. There would be a lot to say about it, but I don't know how to do it.Hugo S Super Reviewer
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