IMDb > Synecdoche, New York (2008)
Synecdoche, New York
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Synecdoche, New York (2008) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (See all 54 | slideshow) Videos (see all 21)
Synecdoche, New York -- A viral video promotion for Synecdoche, New York.
Synecdoche, New York -- Oscar-winner writer Charlie Kaufman's directorial debut, SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK follows the life of regional theater director Caden Cotard (Phillip Seymour Hoffman).
Synecdoche, New York -- This is the theatrical trailer for Synecdoche, New York, directed by Charlie Kaufman.
Synecdoche, New York -- A theater director (Hoffman) 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.
Synecdoche, New York -- A theater director (Hoffman) struggles with his work, and the women in his life

Overview

User Rating:
7.3/10   18,101 votes »
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Director:
Writer (WGA):
Charlie Kaufman (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Synecdoche, New York on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
5 February 2009 (Netherlands) See more »
Genre:
Plot:
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. Full summary » | Add synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
Awards:
5 wins & 9 nominations See more »
NewsDesk:
(9 articles)
DVD Playhouse--March 2009
 (From The Hollywood Interview. 10 March 2009, 11:25 PM, PDT)

Rourke Steals The Show At The Independent Spirit Awards
 (From WENN. 21 February 2009, 5:23 PM, PST)

Spirit Award Winners
 (From IMDb News. 21 February 2009, 4:14 PM, PST)

User Reviews:
Brilliant and bizarre! See more (194 total) »

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Philip Seymour Hoffman ... Caden Cotard

Catherine Keener ... Adele Lack

Sadie Goldstein ... Olive (4 years old)
Tom Noonan ... Sammy Barnathan

Peter Friedman ... Emergency Room Doctor
Charles Techman ... Like Clockwork Patient

Josh Pais ... Dr. Eisenberg - Ophthalmologist

Daniel London ... Tom

Robert Seay ... David

Michelle Williams ... Claire Keen
Stephen Adly Guirgis ... Davis

Samantha Morton ... Hazel

Hope Davis ... Madeleine Gravis
Frank Girardeau ... Plumber

Jennifer Jason Leigh ... Maria
See more »
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
MPAA:
Rated R for language and some sexual content/nudity.
Runtime:
124 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (DeLuxe)
Aspect Ratio:
2.35 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
When Caden sees Hazel at the box-office, a brief shot reveals she is reading: page 1 of Marcel Proust's Swann's Way, the first book of his multi-volume novel Search of Lost Time. A recurring character throughout Proust's novel is Dr. Cottard, reportedly based somewhat on Proust's own father, a noted physician, and on the Cotard who gives the delusional syndrome it's name.See more »
Goofs:
Incorrectly regarded as goofs: Announcer on the radio at the very beginning says it's 22 September. The newspaper is dated in October, it's Christmas when the sinks smashes his forehead, New Year's on the ride home and March in the ophthalmologist's office. Kaufman afforded his film a dreamlike quality by playing with the representation of time throughout.See more »
Quotes:
Caden Cotard:I don't think you should tell her she doesn't have blood...See more »
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Little PersonSee more »

FAQ

Does the MacArthur Genius Award really exist?
How is "Synecdoche" pronounced?
What is the film timeline?
See more »
112 out of 165 people found the following review useful.
Brilliant and bizarre!, 11 October 2008
Author: toologize

What a trip. You can't expect a conventional picture from Charlie Kaufman, but this was super weird! So weird that half the people left the theatre before the end, either confused or offended by what they saw. Poor Charlie witnessed the whole scene and I suspect it really got to him.

The film's very much Spike Jonze in style, but grander and more ambitious than Malkovich and Adaptation. The first hour is hilarious, next half an hour is still good and you're struggling not to lose threads, the last half an hour gets really messy and tends to drag a bit. It might be due to Charlie's inexperience as a director, or it might be intentional and a means to express one of the points of the film (futility and dragging of time), or the topics simply grew too difficult to deal with, but it seems to me that the last part could have been made a bit more compact for a stronger impression. Seven to ten minutes less would have helped, if that was possible.

Perhaps Jonze would have done a better job in terms of pacing and craftsmanship, but the content is still really strong. The film had been five years in the making and you can feel the issues that Kaufman wanted to address brimming over. Illness, death, transience, love, relationships, passion, devotion, art, theatre, identity, hope, so many topics dealt with in a painfully sincere way. You both laugh and get emotionally affected all the time along with being confused by the twists of the plot and the grotesqueness of the imagery. You get many 'this is so true' moments that you completely identify with and then you suddenly get struck by a completely surreal scene. The film certainly reinforced my impression of Kaufman as a bastard son of Woody Allen and Tom Stoppard.

The cast is wonderful. Philip Seymour Hoffman has to be singled out for his magnificent performance. I have never been much of a fan of his and I was somewhat bothered by the idea of him as a lead in the next Kaufman movie. I didn't think he had a presence for that, but did he prove me wrong! Appearing in virtually every scene, the man has carried this film on his shoulders. He has created a completely lovable and ludicrous character and conveyed Kaufman's ideas splendidly.

Catherine Keener is as fun and adorable as ever! As a fan, I was really overwhelmed by this experience. I saw it two nights in a row, and spent hours discussing it with friends. The film is a bit difficult to comprehend instantaneously and Kaufman himself insists it requires a second watching. It is an amazing picture, rarely thought-provoking, and I can't wait to see it for the third time.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Synecdoche, New York (2008)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
I can't think of a film more benefiting of a second viewing.. toddtw
Brilliant until... contrazoom
There are nearly 13 million people in the world? Mightaswell21
Absolute Crap roadcustard
The smash-hit comedy of the year! allenap
Roger Ebert Names Synecdoche, NY Best Film of the Decade zzahos
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