With screenplays like “Adaptation,” “Being John Malkovich,” and “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” Charlie Kaufman has long cemented himself as an acclaimed writer. But as a filmmaker, his work is acclaimed in some circles and hated in others. No film captures that polarizing reputation quite like his 2008 directorial debut, “Synecdoche, New York.” Kaufman himself knows it.
Speaking with IndieWire to promote his new short, “How to Shoot a Ghost,” the conversation naturally turned toward “Synecdoche.” Kaufman recalled:
“The Academy was doing a Philip Seymour Hoffman retrospective, and Spike [Jonze] presented the film. I wasn’t able to make it. It was divisive when it came out. There were people who loved it, and people who absolutely hated it — most especially [former New York Observer critic] Rex Reed. For Roger Ebert, it was the best movie of the decade. I’m happy I made it. I’m happy with the movie. It wasn’t helpful to my career as a director, as you can also chart, which doesn’t make me happy. I’m happy with the movie and the people I worked with. It’ll do what it will do in the world. It’s out of my hands.”
I’ll admit, “Synecdoche, New York” wasn’t for me. I’ve tried to rewatch it a few times, but it’s never really hit me. The execution didn’t live up to the sheer ambition of its ideas. The haze between reality and fiction, the exploration of art’s role in life — these were familiar Kaufman themes, but the film felt too unwieldy to stick the landing. Still, more than 15 years later, its reputation continues to grow in some circles.
In our critics poll for the best films of the 2000s,, it finished in 34th place. Not bad for a film that initially puzzled many, was a box office flop, and was supposed to end Kaufman’s career.
The same can be said of Kaufman’s other polarizing directorial effort, “I’m Thinking of Ending Things,” which was shockingly produced by Netflix. In fact, five years later, Kaufman still hasn’t directed another film.
The last we heard from Kaufman, he was rethinking “Later the War” after production abruptly shut down in Poland earlier this year. Adapted from a short story about a man who manufactures dreams for others before sliding into nightmares. Eddie Redmayne, Tessa Thompson, and Patsy Ferran are among the names attached.