Charlie Kaufman Catch Up
Monday, October 3, 2011 at 12:40PM 
JA from MNPP here, with a look at the latest Charlie Kaufman news. If you’re like me – and generally that’s something I encourage, since I just really think my opinions are top drawer – then you think that Charlie Kaufman’s Synecdoche New York was one of the finest films of the last decade. Endlessly rewarding and deeply moving... I’ve seen it five or six times at this point and it’s like looking through a prism, new colors and shapes forming in front of me with every new glance. So I’m primed to follow news of what he’ll be handling next. We first heard about Frank or Francis back in March but details were few and far between.
Now, notsomuch. You can read all about it over here but the general idea is this is a musical (of sorts) about a war (of sorts) between a director and a blogger that aims to eviscerate every aspect of Hollywood (of sorts). Nothing is that simple where Charlie’s words are concerned, but that condenses it into a sentence, I guess. Steve Carell is set to play the director, and Jack Black is set to play the blogger (of course he is since all bloggers look like Jack Black). Kevin Kline will be playing two roles a la Nicholas Cage in Adaptation. Speaking of Cage he’s also in this movie, playing “The Emcee,” which, name-alon,e immediately brings to mind Joel Grey’s role in Cabaret, right? And if this thing's as musical as they say it is, that can't be an associative mistake.
The first thing that strikes me here is how man-centric the cast is. Synecdoche was so heavily populated with fantastic actresses – Catherine Keener and Michelle Williams and Samantha Morton (dear god, she’s so good in it) and Hope Davis and Jennifer Jason Leigh and Emily Watson and Dianne Weist all bouncing off of Phillip Seymour Hoffman in the middle. CK’s always given women such plum goods to play with – Meryl in Adaptation! Diaz in Being John Malkovich! – that I find myself longing to hear some lady names soon. But I’m certainly ready for whatever Kaufman sends my way. And on top of this he’s also written Spike Jonze’s next movie, too! Oh, yes.
Reader Comments (6)
I suppose at some point i'm going to have to give SYNECDOCHE another chance (since so many people i love love it) but i just h-a-t-e-d it. (though agree that Samantha Morton was incredible in it)
You generally think your opinions are top drawer? Not that I disagree, but I find that lack of modesty somewhat off-putting. Anyway, I did re-watch Synecdoche New York a few months ago and thought it was pretty fantastic, but I still feel that Kaufman bites off way more than he can chew in the movie (I feel Kaufman, like many other writers, needs a director to hone him in). To me, the high point of Kaufman's career is still Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (I'm sure a lot of people agree with me on that one), and I am very excited to see what he does next, because usually, no matter what the finished product is, a Kaufman film tends to be something very special and a wild ride (Being John Malkovich and Adaptation are also two films I consider favorites. And, with Steve Carrell in the cast, I seriously can't wait (seeing how Kaufman wrote the role that turned into Jim Carrey's best performance to date, IMHO).
Well, I gave Moulin Rouge, for example, a second and even third chance, but there are way too many scenes that are just embarrassing to watch (esp. when Leguizamo or Roxburgh are onscreen). It's the same thing with Singin' in the Rain - Gene Kelly and his sidekick's mugging makes me cringe, and it overshadows the good moments for me.
I basically love Synecdoche, New York, even if the psychiatrist/daughter subplots get a little extraneous/over-the-top. And Dianne Wiest is fantastic in it. And Adaptation. is an A+ and Eternal Sunshine an A for me, so I can't wait for the next Kaufman film.
"You generally think your opinions are top drawer? Not that I disagree, but I find that lack of modesty somewhat off-putting"
While I've never shied away from off-putting, Richter Scale - I revel in it! - my tongue was stuffed firmly in cheek on this count here. :)
As for Kaufman, I'd much rather have somebody biting off too much than too little, and I find his grand ambitions spell-binding. Although I say that and then I see Jan bringing up Moulin Rogue which "suffers" (that word's not right, it makes it sound too miserable) from the same OVERWHELM, and is indeed a little bit much for me. So I guess it boils down to what you want too much of. I want too much misery and green poop, while Moulin lovers - hi Nat! - want jigs and coughing blood into hankies.
I see. Tongue-in-cheek is a little hard to grasp when it's in writing (for some reason it just didn't read the way you intended it). I actually love Moulin Rouge, and I did not like it very much the first time I saw it, but the more I see it, the more I admire the vision of Baz Luhrmann and the way he can make both comedy and tragedy so energetic. Plus, I love many of the songs performed in the movie, even if they're not original renditions. But, I also love Synecdoche New York. Honestly, I would also like to see a director use too much of something interesting and exciting rather than someone who isn't even trying to put a stamp on a film. I do, however, feel Kaufman makes Synecdoche a little difficult to relate to with everything he tries to do (even though I still find so much that is brilliant in that film, particularly Samantha Morton). I guess I'm also not a fan of that much misery (one thing I love about Eternal Sunshine is that it manages to be optimistic and cynical at the same time, which makes for a ride that is as emotionally resonant as it is wild).
hear! hear! MORE JIGS & COUGHING BLOOD INTO HANKIES!!! jigs and coughing forever.
i feel a song coming on from another musical entirely
♫ Now, can't you see to look at me
That I'm a nach'ral Camille?
As Camille I just feel
I've so much to offer.
Kid, I know I'd be divine because
I'm a nat-ur-ral cougher.
[*cough cough cough*]
Some ain't got it--not a lump,
I'm a great big clump of talent! ♪♩