I’m trying to watch more of Charlie Kaufman’s work this year. I’d heard lots of good things about Anomalisa and finally decided to rent it. It’s a film that is about loneliness and, possibly, mental illness. The film is both innovative and, at times, disturbing as this claymation film moves through its story. I give Anomalisa the Not Quite Golden, Ponyboy rating.
Anomalisa is another surrealist film by Charlie Kaufman
Michael Stone (David Thewlis) has become emotionally impaired by the mundanity of his life. He meets Lisa (Jennifer Jason Leigh) who is like a beacon of light amongst the darkness that is the other people he knows.
The film takes the idea that every other person in the world is essentially exactly the same. Tom Noonan voices every character whether man, woman, child that appears in the film. Michael is the only exception, but we see the world through his perspective. Or, at least, that’s what I think is going on. His life is boring and everyone in it is the same. That is until he meets Lisa. Everything about her is different than anyone else. The amount of possible meaning that can be extracted from the film is staggering.
I’ve not really taken the time, as I’ve been extremely swamped, to decide exactly how I feel about this film. However, it’s another Charlie Kaufman surrealist film. Does Michael really see everyone as the same? Is he in some kind of hell? How is it that Lisa is different? There are so many possibilities and I think what you walk away with determines your love of the film. It moves rather well and at only 91 minutes is an easy watch.
If you’re a fan of Kaufman then it is definitely one to add to the que. I’m not sure if this film would appeal to everyone. There is an intimate sex sequence, and it has to be reminded that it’s claymation. It’s a little on the uncomfortable side of things. Nevertheless, it’s a thought provoking film with a lot of work done to it.
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