Anomolisa

ANOMALISA (15)

D: Duke Johnson & Charlie Kaufman

Paramount/Hanway/Starburns/Snoot (Rosa Tran, Duke Johnson, Charlie Kaufman & Dino Stamatopolous)

USA 🇺🇸 2015

90 mins

Animated

W: Charlie Kaufman [based on the play by Francis Fregoli (Charlie Kaufman)]

Mus: Carter Burwell

Animated/Comedy/Drama

voices of: David Thewlis (Michael), Jennifer Jason Leigh (Lisa), Tom Noonan (everyone else)

Anyone familiar with Charlie Kaufman's work would know that his films are equally bizarre, surreal and hugely metaphorical. He doesn't buck that trend with Anomalisa, an arthouse animation film which doesn't have much about it in the way of its story, but it's still beautifully told...

A customer service expert, fed up with his mundane life, embarks on a business trip where everyone he interacts with at his humdrum hotel speaks with same monotonous voice (that of Tom Noonan). The only person with any individuality is Lisa (voiced by Jennifer Jason Leigh), who he has a one-night stand with, before returning to the routine of his existence.

An animation film which certainly isn't for children, especially for its lengthy sex scene and industrial language, it's unlikely to appeal to many adult also, but fans of Charlie Kaufman's other works will witness another groundbreaking piece of intelligent cinema.

7/10

Did You Know:

The film was crowd-funded through Kickstarter.com.

Award Wins & Nominations:

MILSTEAD MOVIE AWARDS:

Wins: none

Nominations: 2 (Best Animated Film; Best Original Musical or Comedy Score)

OSCARS:

Wins: none

Nominations: 1 (Best Animated Film)

BAFTAS

Wins: none

Nominations: none

OTHER WINS:

Boston Film Critics (Best Animated Film); Indiana Film Journalists (Best Animated Film); Internet Film Critics (Best Experimental Film); Los Angeles Film Critics (Best Animated Film, Best Music); San Diego Film Critics (Best Supporting Actor, Best Animated Film); San Francisco Film Critics (Best Animated Film), Vancouver Film Critics (Best Screenplay); Venice Film Festival (Grand Special Jury Prize); World Soundtrack Awards (Best Original Song)