Anomalisa

2015 "Welcome to the Kaufman surreal-neorealism tale in a dull world of sameness."
7.2| 1h31m| R| en| More Info
Released: 30 December 2015 Released
Producted By: Paramount Pictures
Country: United States of America
Budget: 0
Revenue: 0
Official Website: http://www.anomalisa.com/
Synopsis

An inspirational speaker becomes reinvigorated after meeting a lively woman who shakes up his mundane existence.

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Reviews

Incannerax What a waste of my time!!!
Nonureva Really Surprised!
BoardChiri Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay
Neive Bellamy Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.
proud_luddite Michael (voiced by David Thewlis) is a middle-aged, upper-middle class family man travelling to Cincinnati to deliver a corporate lecture on customer service. While there, he reacquaints with an ex-lover who was heartbroken by their breakup and then shows interest in another young woman whom he meets at the hotel. "Anomalisa" is a stop-motion animated film.The film begins with some questions. One is, why are all the characters' faces split in the middle? Another is, why are all the women's voices (except one) voiced by a man? (In fact, Tom Noonan voices all the men as well except Michael.)The answer to the first question takes time after the film's conclusion but the second is more easily answered during a breakfast scene near the movie's end.The highlight - and a big one at that - is a romantic conversation scene followed by a sex scene. The sex scene is warm, loving, and compassionate. This is a rarity as sex scenes in most modern films are cheap, vulgar, and casual. The romantic scene that precedes it is even more compelling.Lisa (voiced by Jennifer Jason Leigh) could easily represent many modern young women (and perhaps young men too) who seem to find every reason possible to believe that they are "not good enough". Lisa measures herself according to the more superficial societal standards of looks, career success, education level, and perceived intelligence. In this powerful scene, Michael is easily able to see Lisa's greatness despite her low self-esteem.As a character study, Michael could be called a sex/love addict or someone with pathological intimacy issues. This is evidenced in an earlier scene with an ex-lover and further exposed throughout the movie.There is an implication that much of Michael's misery comes from the corporatization of our modern world - something he helped create. The film could have been even more fascinating if it dealt further with this theme.However, it remains above par and how could it not be? The screenplay is by the brilliant Charlie Kaufman who also co-directed with Duke Johnson. As the writer of such gems as "Being John Malkovich" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", his latest could only be equally unusual in a fascinating way. Likewise, Thewlis and Leigh are very powerful in their roles.
invisibleunicornninja This is a well-made and entertaining movie. Animation - This is probably the best thing about this movie. It could easily have been live-action but the decision was made to have it animated. it is done incredibly well and is worth watching just to witness the claymation marvel. Everything looks so realistic. Audio - There are only 3 voice actors which was probably to serve some kind of point I didn't get but either way it was annoying. Other than that, the sound design was pretty good except for a few bits where the mouth movements aren't quite right. Plot - The plot has a lot of potential. Though this is more of a slice-of-life story, it was almost interesting. There is a dream sequence that had so much going for it until it was revealed to be a dream sequence. The part of the movie that everything else seemed to be building up to didn't happen, and everything after that is so random and stupid. This movie could've been amazing if it wasn't for the route it could've taken. Though this movie is incredibly made and has potential, I probably wouldn't recommend it. It moves really slow and has a lot of awkward scenes.
FilmBuff1994 Anomalisa is a great movie with a well developed plot and a spectacular trio of voice actors. It is entirely made by clay, but there is nothing about the film that insisted on it being animated, it easily could have been live action. Making it claymation created a unique project that made is feel as if we were taking in to another world, it is a little uneasy, and yet very familar. Charlie Kaufman manages to create some truly groundbreaking animation that you will never see in any previous cartoons. I did feel that it had more potential than what it delivered, the biggest issue for me was that Michael is a very unlikeable character. It is difficult to sympathise with him and the journey he goes on, he is self destructive and all the heartache that comes his way is deserved. The cast is terrific, David Thewlis really shines as Michael, adding so much depth and passion in to the part that it is difficult to imagine he was just sitting in a recording studio. Jennifer Jason Leigh also brings so much passion to the film as Lisa, and Tom Noonan as Everyone Else, actual credit, is terrific, he adds something new to every character, while using his own voice. Very different. Unique and beautifully animated, Anomalisa is certainly worth the watch if you are looking for a good drama or animation.
Harhaluulo54 Despite me watching 5 airing TV series and 2 completed ones, seeing 3 movies and played one story-driven video game, I am still thinking about Anomalisa week after seeing it and all this other stuff. Keeping the rating at 5/10 has been an uncertainty for me, but I have now decided to call it a 6/10 work. Anomalisa is definitely thought-provoking, unique and even memorable experience. The execution is very different from anything that's been done before. It feels heavy on substance even though it rides with the power of a single sentence. Some would go as far as calling this a masterpiece. Some think it has nothing to offer. Should have been 40 minutes long short film instead. I will just say this: is not necessarily a must watch, but it is a must try.