I do not like animated movies. At all.
But I do like Charlie Kaufman. A lot.
So, I am basically stuck with this one.
But why animation? What’s the point?
Here is Kaufman’s argument: newsweek.com/anomalisa-why-a … lts-438288
Of course there is a difference between an animated character and a cartoon. But there is also a difference between an animated character and an actual flesh and blood human being playing a character dreamed up by Charlie Kaufman. I’m just not buying his rationale. But at least I recognize it for the prejudice that it is.
Still, this being a Charlie Kaufman production, you know that the characters are going to be spending a lot of time thinking about the gaps between what they do, what others do and why they either ought or ought not to be doing something else instead. Or, as one reviewer put it, “[h]is characters are always searching for something and trying to discern the meaning of life … or at least of their own life.”
Yep, one more convoluted sojourn into the human condition. And one in which, in a postmodern hellhole, almost anything goes. Or surely almost everything has already been rationalized. Only in this effort it is more the viewer’s task to input his or her own rendition of [and reaction to] the American Dream. The madness of consumption and all of the customer service reps needed to keep all of the customers coming back for more “Nibble-O’s”, " Choco-bricks", “Scroochies” and “Brownie-balls”.
And then there is this: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fregoli_delusion
On the other hand, how this is related to the manner in which I construe particular aspects of our identity [re value judgments] as a delusion is anybody’s guess. I still like the notion of dasein better.
IMDb
[b]This film was crowd-funded through Kickstarter.com.
The first R-rated animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.
Michael stays at the Fregoli hotel. The Fregoli delusion, or the delusion of doubles, is a rare disorder in which a person holds a delusional belief that different people are in fact a single person who changes appearance or is in disguise. The syndrome may be related to a brain lesion and is often of a paranoid nature, with the delusional person believing themselves persecuted by the person they believe is in disguise.
With the exception of the two leads, every character (male or female) is voiced by Tom Noonan.
Co-director Duke Johnson stated it took six months for him to animate the sex scene because of technical reasons and making the scene realistic as opposed to comedic.
Michael is in every scene of the film, except the last one. [/b]
at wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anomalisa
trailer: youtu.be/B9osRGkOl54
ANOMALISA [2015]
Written by Charlie Kaufman
Directed by Duke Johnson, Charlie Kaufman
Michael reads a letter to him from his wife, Donna: “Dear Michael. Fuck you. Just fuck you. You just walk away? After all you said to me? After all we did? After all those fucking promises? After all that fucking fucking?”
Already we get a whiff of the existential glum that follows this guy around.
Michael [rehearsing his customer service rep talk]: "“It is my privilege today to talk to you about customer service, what it is and why it’s an essential component of any successful business enterprise. The front line of every customer department is the group of folks who interact directly with the public. The telephone representative at corporate headquarters, the retail associate on the floor of the regional store, the guys or gal…”
Blah blah blah: It’s all plastered right there on his face.
[b]Bella [Michael has called her out of the blue after eleven years]: This is really weird. I’ve gained some weight. Not terrible or anything, but just so you don’t look at me like freaked-out or something, because I just couldn’t handle that right now.
Michael: I wouldn’t do that.
Bella: Okay. And I have a fake tooth in the front because I fell and hit a cement bench with my mouth. But I don’t think you can tell. They matched it pretty well.
Michael: Okay. I look forward to seeing you.
…
Bella: Try to.
Michael: Try to what?
Bella: Try to explain why you left me.
Michael: Huh. I think I might have psychological problems.
Bella: Oh, good. That clears things up. Thanks.
Michael: It’s hard to explain. I’ve been running for a long time now.
Bella: Running? We were special together. That’s what I thought.
Michael: Yeah. I agree. But things kind of shifted.
Bella: But just like completely suddenly? I was so pissed at you. I was so fucking hurt. I didn’t get out of bed for a year. Do you realize that?
Michael: Jesus. I’m sorry.
…
Michael [going over the edge]: Listen, do you feel that you changed? I mean, do you feel that you changed?
Bella: What are you talking about?
Micael: I don’t know. I don’t know. Like, in any way? Like, in any way did you change? Like, while we were together. Like, did I change you? Did you change? Did anything change? Did a change occur? Did a…
Bella: Michael, you’re freaking me out. I can’t take being more freaked out right now.
Michael: I’m sorry. I’m a mess. I’m just…Do you want to maybe go up to my room for another drink? We could talk more privately.
Bella: What?! We are not going to fuck, Michael!..I can’t… I can’t believe you. Fuck you, Michael. Fuck off!!
…
Michael [indicating the scar on her face]: May I kiss you there?
Lisa [startled]: Oh, my god. Oh, my god. No. Oh, god.
Michael: Sorry…
Lisa: You’re not like a pervert or something? Like some weird version of a chubby chaser?
Michael: No.
Lisa: I just don’t understand why you would want to kiss me there.
…
Michael [to Lisa]: I think you’re extraordinary.
Lisa: Why?
Michael: I don’t know yet. It’s just obvious to me that you are.
…
Lisa: I love to listen to Brazilian singers. They sing in Portuguese in Brazil, a little-known fact. It’s kind of weird because it’s the only country in south America where they sing in Portuguese. It’s an anomaly, right?
Michael: Uh-huh.
Lisa: I learned that word in your book. I like that word. Anomaly. I like the way it sounds and I like what it means. I feel like an anomaly. Before I used to know there was a word for it, it made me feel bad to be different. Now I kind of like it.
…
Lisa: It’s just so beautiful. Life can be. Things can work out. That’s the lesson.
Michael: Sometimes there’s no lesson. That’s a lesson in itself.
Lisa: I guess so. I feel anxious, Michael. I feel something. Like you’re different-acting.
…
Michael [giving his “customer service” speech]: Always remember the customer is an individual. Just like you. Each person you speak to has had a day. Some of the days have been good, some bad, but they’ve all had one. Each person you speak to has had a childhood. Each has a body. Each body has aches. What is it to be human? What is it to ache? What is it to be alive?
[he scoffs]
Michael: I don’t know. What is it to ache? I don’t know. What is it to be alive? I don’t know…Uh, yes. “How do I talk to a customer?” How do I talk to a customer? These are the important questions for a customer service representative. What do I say? Do I smile while I’m on the phone? Well, they can tell, if you’re smiling, even if they can’t see you. Did you know that? Try it as an experiment on the phone with a friend. Try it. Go ahead. Watch.
[he turns around]
Michael: I’m lost…
[chuckles and turns back around]
Michael: See I was smiling when I said that? I’ve lost my love. She’s an unmoored ship and she’s drifting off to sea. I have no one to talk to. I have no one to talk to. I have no one to talk to. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to burden you with that, I just don’t know what else to do because I have no one to talk to…Be friendly to the customer. Think of the customer as a friend…
[he goes over the edge]
Michael: I want to cry, but I can’t. Is it the Zoloft, Dr. Horowitz? Is it the Zoloft? My face squeezes into that crying contortion you all know so well but nothing comes out. I need tears. It’s like not being able to come. I need tears to tear me in two and let this nightmare escape, but…
[he collects himself]
Michael: Oh. Um… Anyway, yes, don’t forget to smile. It makes a person’s day. And what does it cost you? A smile is free.
[again he turns around]
Michael [to himself]: This is not working. This is not working. This is not working.
[back to the audience]
Michael: The world is falling apart. The president is a war criminal.
Man in the audience: Boo!
Michael: America is going down the tubes and you’re talking about goddamn intelligent design. They’ve intentionally destroyed the public education system because it’s easier to manipulate dumb workers and soldiers.
Man in audience: There’s no need for that! Support our troops!
Woman in audience: I thought this was about customer service.
Michael: Uh, be personable. Remember to believe in yourself. Believe in your company. And your products or services…I sweat onto my pillow every night. I think there’s something very, very wrong with me… Be friendly. Yes, what does it cost you? Look for what is special about each individual. Focus on that during your conversation… Our time is limited. We forget that. Death comes, that’s it. Soon it’s as if we never existed…So, remember to smile. Remember there is someone out there for everyone. Someone to love. Remember every person you speak to needs love. Remember to…[/b]