I’m thinking of Ending Things is an existential masterpiece
Credit: allocine.fr
Charlie Kaufman has a disdain for his own existence. At least, the protagonists of his work seem to. From ‘Being John Malkovich’ to ‘Synecdoche New York’ to ‘Anomalisa’, it is clear the man struggles considerably with the nature of his being. Despite this, he remains one of the most thrilling and thought-provoking writer/directors working today. And considering his extremely sporadic output, it always remains an event to see what he will bring to the table. And his new film ‘I’m Thinking of Ending Things’ is his magnum opus.
‘I’m thinking of Ending Things’ is not only (currently) the best film of 2020. Its Kaufman’s best work to date. It has an immense scope that few recent films have had. It recalls Fellini’s 8 ½, going into the deepest and often unpleasant pleasant side of a filmmaker’s subconscious. Its considerable density will frustrate most viewers. However, it finds its way of staying with you that you have no choice but to revisit it. Even better, it makes you want you to explore many of the intertextual references that will pass over the heads of viewer’s heads (myself included). When a film influences how you view your own life, there is a certainly considerable power to it, even when not everything is entirely clear.
The story deals with a young woman Lucy (or is it Louise, Yvonne, Amy?) played by Jessie Buckley. She is on a road trip with her boyfriend Jake (Jesse Plemons) to meet his parents (Toni Collette and David Thewlis) for the first time. Even though they have not been going out for long, she is “thinking of ending things”. She never holds negative feelings towards him but does not feel the relationship is going to last much longer. Once the trip is over, the relationship is over. It is an extremely difficult film to discuss without revealing spoilers. It works best going in completely blind. There is a whole subplot in the film that plays an equally thematic role yet is so crucial to the overall events of the film I would hate to spoil it.
Credit: allocine.fr
Buckley and Plemons deliver Oscar worthy performances. Buckley has the showier role, that includes everything from an extreme passiveness to the surrealness around her, to delivering a spot-on impression of film critic Pauline Kael. It is a remarkable performance and one she deserves full recognition for. Jesse Plemons, always a key supporting player in everything from ‘Breaking Bad’ to ‘Fargo’ has the more subtle role, yet is completely engaging and captivating, especially during the film’s final moments. Toni Collette seems to have become the go to “crazy mum” archetype, yet she remains compelling as always. Plus, I do not think anyone has a better maniacal laugh than she does. And David Thewlis’s character is so strange that you do not know whether to laugh at him or be chilled to the bone. It is a key reminder why he remains of Britain’s great character actors.
There is always a sense of unease throughout the film. A feeling as if the walls are closing in on Buckley. The characters rarely feel anxiety, but it is felt by the audience through every step of the way. Claustrophobia and isolation have become part of our day to day lives and the film intensifies this feeling, especially through the 4:3 aspect ratio. Whilst Kaufman obviously did not predict how things would turn out this way, its strangely fitting during these times. The young woman remarks how everything all seems to look at the same, as she looks out on the snowy landscape.
Furthermore, it is Kaufman’s best-looking film to date. It certainly lends a lot to Fargo (even funnier considering that 3 out of its 4 leads have all appeared in the television series) and many of the Coen Brother’s work. The work with longtime Pavel Pawlikowski collaborator Łukasz Żal is someone that Kaufman should continue to work with.
The ramblings and discussions of art and culture might be a turn off for some. Kaufman clearly has strong opinions on art and film. The literary and film intertextuality Buckley even declares at one point that “movies fill our brain with lies”. Often, they do but in Kaufman’s case, perhaps they provide some enlightenment about our own existence.
tags: charlie kaufman 'i’m thinking of ending things jessie buckley jesse plemons toni collette david thewlis
