Extremely interesting and gripping first half (with a terrific performance by Hoffman) is marred by a last half an hour that goes too far even for me. I need to see it again to make a final decision, but I know it won't easily be forgotten. At the very least worth seeing.

This is like the existential 8½, but nothing like this has ever been done so maybe this comparison is futile. Truly brilliant, this also has room to grow.

Kaufmann not only wrote the script but directed this one. I have to say he did a real good job. It was the first time he could get a script done the exact way he itended to. And Hoffmann is as great as always. In my opinion it's just a little too long but still a very good movie.

Um roteiro poderoso, uma direção que não compromete e atuações ótimas, fazem desse Synecdoche um filme obrigatório, tanto para os fãs de Charlie Kaufman, quanto para os críticos. Eu como fã só posso dizer que fiquei mais que satisfeito.

"die"

I agree with Roger Ebert that a viewer needs to see this film twice (or even three times) in order to understand it. Ebert believes a second viewing is worth the undeniable effort: this is an exhausting film on many levels. So I regard my rating of this film as provisional, contingent on a second viewing. It would be in keeping with the spirit of the film if that viewing never took place.

greatest movie ever?

Charlie Kaufman creates a seamless film that seems to run circles through your mind on every level. It is incredibly moving and filled with Charlie Kaufman's stroke of genius that cannot be fathomed by any one person. One of the best movies of 2008.

I'm gonna have to see this one again someday... I think my experience of it was being heavily influenced by my father to my left, and my unvle to my right... They were just getting more-and-more bummed out about it...

Syndecdoche New York makes it very clear that a multitude of sittings is needed to take it all in, but my first gut reaction was one of dissapointment (after all the hype it got, seeing it named one of the most important movies of this decade and whatnot). This is, first and foremost, a filmcritic's film. Made, not to be seen, but dissected; not to be enjoyed, but digested. Should you give it a watch anyway? No doubt about it!

This is a movie apart from most others. Don't expect something you have even remotely seen before. It is more like literature than a movie, and i think the difference is what kept it from being entirely successful. This movie is an interpretive, symbol-laden, and poignant exploration that pushes the viewer to forget what they know and to stop trying to find coherent plot in this self-aware mess that Kaufman has created--just enjoy the brilliance.

As per usual Kaufman implodes. Watching Kaufman is no different than drug abuse. I watched, got depressed, inspired, bored, melancholic, angry and confused in potent doses. Side effects and flashbacks should start in about a day. Right now I'm trying to wash myself off of it.

The best film i didn't enjoy watching, SNY is a wallow in desperateness from start to finish. Kaufman treats his whimsical premise without wonder, and turns the movie into a fractured and ugly study of a lonely man searching for connection and meaning. Initially repulsive, I think because very few movies bring their ugly questions to the front so brutally. Certain scenes are heartrending, certain scenes are bizarelly humorous. Storytelling could be defter, but it's a first with a lot of promise.

"A nightmare for those who like things served easy - but if you relish off-the-deep-end bravado, its pleasures are boundless."

The film is a snake eating itself. More than that, it's a snake in a snake costume consuming the tail, uncertain if it's eating tail, costume, both, or if the distinction even matters. Whether it even matters is a whole other element. Kaufman has employed a foolproof methodology to make his film impervious to criticism. If the film is irredeemably messy, it is intentionally so, that messiness fully representative of the messiness of life, of art, of art rendering life, and life mirroring art.

Charlie Kaufman outdoes himself here moving closer to a modern day Beckett and reminding us that film doesn't always mean naturalism. Much like the "play" that the film centers around this movie is essentially about everything and, therefore, nothing. Don't watch it if not understanding or solving things is inclined to frustrate your personality type, you'll find no answers here.

Der Film erfordert 100% Aufmerksamkeit, die Handlung ist sehr komplex.

The best response to 8 1/2 that's been made. It goes beyond just a simple retelling, it adds to the artistic conversation.

Forget about the specifics, just enjoy the ride.

A complex and (sometimes) weird Movie by Kaufmann. You have to see it twice. You will discover more and more details after knowing what the end is all about. I think it´s important to know how everything ends, to construe this depressiv and exceeding sad Masterpiece. There is not even one little moment of real happiness in Caden´s life,that´s lead by unrequited love. Caden sacrificed himself for his lifework. That´s what artists do, isn´t it ? To perish on their brilliancy...

Ugh.

Maybe the most disturbing movie I've ever seen. If you want to get inside the brain of a paranoid delusional person, then watch this movie. Extremely original, but after an hour or so I found it too uncomfortable to continue with.

It's about tackling the meaning of life, like so much art is about finding truths. And just like the film and Cotard, Kaufman finds himself in his own warehouse inside another warehouse trying to make sense of it all. The film is so intimately entwined with Kaufman it feels as though it is an extension of him. Fear of death, feeling worthless, an the struggle to make an impact on this world are things we as humans feel at one time or another. Kaufman makes note, serves up advices, and blossoms.

Okay, this film is great. I'm very confused as to what happened at the end, but there are so many topics of discussion in every minute. From denial, fear, homosexuality, hell even loss of time. I know I lost track of time whilst watching this. Like stated, don't go in this without your thinking cap or you'll come out confused and a little angry as to what the hell just happened.

What is it about this movie that I love so much? I asked myself this each of the three times I saw it, but I still can't quite put my finger on it. Perhaps it is the outstanding and all-too-human performances the entire cast turns in,the subtle chaos that everything seems to fall into as the movie progresses,or the fact that the movie takes the 'brutal truth' and turns it into something entertaining and slightly less frightening.

Well, damn...

Kauffman's directing isn't very solid and lacks Jonze's or Gondry's visionary touch. Still, it's a movie of deep characters, that deserves a second (or a third) look.

Kaufman's directorial debut is a masterpiece. I am extremely curious where he's going to go from here.

starts of really great, but gets annoyingly repetitive and noncredible (in its incredibility) during the last 30 minutes. and by the way: DON'T BE SO LACHRYMOSE ALL THE TIME MISTER KAUFMAN.

What started out as a unique premise turned into a boring, depressing take on a man whose bland story did not need to be told. Why people want to see a film where hope and happiness are nowhere in sight, I will never know.

An annoying viewing experience. Kaufman has once again relied on eccentric and intelligent plot structures instead of making a film that's enjoyable to watch. It's more of a headache with annoyingly depressive qualities.

At times beautiful, compelling, and disturbing, this film will stay with you for a long time, if not the remainder of your natural life.

That was pretty cool... I... think...

Very strange film which I wont even attempt to make sense of, an excellent display of acting all round here and worth it just for this.

Amuses at times being relly over the top crazy but otherwise I just didn't get anything out of it. Hoffman saves a bit with his performance. Idea of the movie worked better on paper and the movie also dragged on for too long.

just let the film infiltrate into your head. it will paradoxically possess your mind. i felt so weird while watching, and even weirder after it ended. And yes for some people, it looks like Charlie Kaufman raping audience.

By the end of this film, I had understood something. I can not remember it any longer, but at the time, it was of great importance.

Kaufman is so consistently great it's ridiculous.