Yes, I watched this without even knowing there was a book of the same title (until I saw it written on the screen in the credits). I came away from the 2+ hours saying those exact words. "What the hell did I just watch?"
I watched it before reading the book. Its pretty obvious to me though. Like super obvious. You guys were just on ur phone while watching it and didnt pay attention.
That's me.. i didn't get the movie until I saw these explanations.. i figured the old guy was the young guy, but i figure out who the female was, i figured she might be imaginary or that some supernatural (alien) event occurring here.
The movie was the same for me. Just incredibly dreadful and depressing. I could tell right away it's that kind of take on existentialism, in this case, through the hallucinations of a dying old man. Time and death are the fears that trap us all, like a never ending snowstorm.
I was happy to see that you made this movie explanation because I was left totally confused by this movie. I realize that I must be a simpleton when it comes to movies like this one. I was totally confused while watching it and afterwards I was simply left feeling sad and even somewhat depressed for hours and I couldn't understand why. This movie has really felt like a mindfk to me. It's so interesting to see people that understand movies on a much deeper level, so thanks again for this video, it gave me at least an idea of what the heck was going on in this movie 🙂
Definitely not something to feel bad or stupid about. The movie was made to be intentionally vague and confusing with its central ideas, so that you as a viewer can project your own ideas onto it. It's cool that you took a chance and watched the whole movie even though it was probably not the type of film you'd normally seek out. And interpreting/understanding films on a deeper level is a skill that you learn over time. As you watch more movies and expose yourself to different points of view, you start to develop a system of how to break down and analyze symbolic elements of filmmaking. Hope this movie serves as a gateway to explore different kinds of storytelling, rather than a barrier that prevents you from seeking those weirder films out!
I asked myself "what the f@💀 k ?" more times in this movie than any other movie in my entire life!! After this brilliant explanation of the movie here, it is truly an amazing movie that I must watch again, and I need the book in my life as well
Oh you are fine! She read the book before and analyzed it and watched the movie twice. Other you tubers similarly watched the movie twice. By no means you should feel bad for not getting something that isn’t a typical mode of storytelling. Stream of consciousness vs memory or the present. What does that even look like!? That’s why the movie is sooo good when you realize they’re trying to portray the former.
It's a sign of a good movie if it stays with you after watching, and this one certainly did that. Really useful analysis of a complex plot, and I feel now a second viewing is needed.
Thank you! And I completely agree - it's always great to see a film that makes you think, stays with you, and makes you want to examine it on repeat viewings.
I didn't read the book and went into this movie completely blind. This is the first time that I really needed an "explained" video to understand a movie. Usually when I watch very complex movies I have a pretty clear idea of what the film is saying or have theories what the director tried to accomplish and why I thought the movie failed to convey his or her message. But while I picked up on little detail after detail (this movie is so full of them) all I could correctly figure out about the overarching theme of the movie was the fact that the narrator was probably an unreliable one. I was focused on making sense of the complex relationships between the characters and on the brilliant dialogue that felt like deep, real conversations that opened up big questions I was lingering on. I also got stuck on many little details that didn't help my understanding of the story, for example the scratches on the basement door, the dog drying itself by shaking for too long and disappearing instantly, the fact the girlfriend whose name I tried keeping track of lied about the caller on her phone (and what the hell was the call she finally took?!?), the urn of Jimmy (probably the dog) in Jakes bedroom to name just a fraction. Feeling the whole time something was off I expected a heavy horror twist when Lucy(?) was about to enter the school. My perception at that point was that Jake had the power of time-manipultion and somehow sucked all accomplishments out of his victims, so I saw all the ice cream cups in the trash container as confirmation for my theory. The rather wholesome interaction between the janitor (I had no idea where to place him in my theory exept for maybe an accomplice) and Lucy(?) threw my theory off, the ballet sequence confused me profoundly and the acceptance speech/musical number f**ked my brain up for good. But I was kind of happy that my pretty boring theory was obviously wrong. Was it all about the janitor? At that point I wasn't able to wrap it all around anymore. I was never that confused by a movie, probably period but at least not by one I thought of as absolutely brilliant when it ended. The atmosphere of the entire film was beautifully melancholic with just the right amount of nostalgia and suspense. The performances were captivating and extraordinary across the board and I think I have never experienced dialogue as interesting as this. Thank you for helping me understand what my brain couldn't comprehend. My questions are answered and my admiration for this movie is complete :)
At about 8:08, we're pretty sure that the actress who blink-and-you'll-miss-it plays "Lucy" is the actress who plays "Yvonne" in the movie that older janitor Jake is watching during his lunch break (the one "directed by Robert Zemeckis"). We agree with, honestly, all of your interpretation, and think that you lay it out very articulately. Something else that we think might be worth mentioning in those moments of projection and fantasy--though neither my better half nor I can say for sure what it all means--is the big dance scene: In 'Oklahoma', a musical that recurs throughout 'I'm Thinking of Ending Things', there is a key moment called "The Dream Ballet," where--in many productions--performers who are different from the actors of all the other scenes tell a wordless dream-sequence story entirely through dance, much like near the end of this film. We'd have to re-familiarize ourselves with 'Oklahoma' (each of us has only seen it one time individually in our long-ago past and remember very little), but this all seems to go hand in hand with the idea of fantasizing for a far different life. The idea of "failed potential" often pops up a lot in the film, including in that final moment of receiving the Nobel in the fantasy/dying vision; it recalls a bit of Toni Collette's often talking about/clinging to an instant in the past in which Jake won a pin of some kind when younger (isn't she also seated onstage during that moment?). Jake, needless to say, never won a Nobel prize, and while we believe there is nobility and integrity of its own kind in being a janitor, it does not suggest that he went on to, say, do any work with the essays by Guy Debord or Pauline Kael that he's read or the other kinds of literary and visual media about which he's clearly well-educated (be it self-educated or academically-educated or both). Perhaps another fantasy of how he wishes life and his connections with people had played out. [EDIT] We'd also shared an (admittedly clumsily-worded) interpretation regarding the references to Robert Zemeckis, 'A Beautiful Mind', and 'Oklahoma', but have deleted; Impression Blend posted an awesome link to an interview as a reply that is far more illuminating. If you or anyone took the time to read this tome of a comment lol, thank you! (We really did try to keep it on the shorter side and are practicing brevity, but there's just SO MUCH to process and discuss here lmao) And thank you for the WONDERFUL analysis and sharing of interpretation. ))) Extremely articulate and clarifying, it taught us a lot, and also helped connect lots of dots and put into words ideas/observations otherwise difficult to explain.
WhatEverNoID I appreciate that, thank you. In the book, that moment actually does not happen; no reference to Zemeckis. I fear that even perhaps that might be too much info divulged, inconsequential as it might seem and as much of a non-worry as that fear assuredly is. I’ll withhold further comparisons though as I I 100% recommend the book (and also the audiobook-wonderfully performed).
Guys, it's not a dig at Zemeckis or Howard or "Oklahoma". Kaufman actually talks about all of these in his interviews - check this one out in particular, I think it will answer a lot of your questions: www.indiewire.com/2020/09/charlie-kaufman-explains-im-thinking-of-ending-things-1234584492/ Even without that though, come on now. Do you really think someone like Kaufman would intentionally take shots at his colleagues? That would be very surprising and disappointing.
Impression Blend Didn’t think it was a shot, just a nod to his brand or style of movies. As opposed to this style. A little bit different. Though thanks for reference. Will check it out. Thank you. Love your channel.
What an interesting analysis! I usually don't like movies that end with "it was all in his/her head!", but this was so well done. Vauguely anxiety inducing story with fantastic acting, set and production design.
Exactly bc it didn’t come bc our off nowhere. It was there all a long subtly and if one were to watch it again one would see it. It actually explains the damn thing
My interpretation of the movie (without reading the book) was actually that it was about thinking to end the relationship. Throughout the movie we see how some unfulfilling relationships start, and one gets stuck in it despite thinking of ending it. We see that the female character tells herself that she will end the relationship, and it will be their last drive together. But when they arrive at his parents' house, she finds herself witnessing his parents get old, symbolizing she never left. The concept is also reinforced by the scene where she walks down the stairs again and again, and says she has lost herself and her existence is marely for approving Jack and his actions. It is also shown towards the end that when in the high school she finds jack, there appears two dancers who represent their younger selves, and they marry during the dance, but after they marry, old jack appears and kill the younger jack, symbolizing jack is not someone she married anymore.
I feel like the film’s ending is meant to be more open-ended than the book. There’s a brief time during the credits where you hear an engine starting, which would imply that maybe Jake decided to keep going. I love when films do this, it makes theories and discussions much more intriguing.
Thank you for breaking this all down so clearly! I had not read the book before viewing this movie recently, and I was just constantly confused until it got near the end of the film (I interpreted it as his life flashing before his eyes as he was dying from hypothermia in the car). I am excited to go back and watch it again now that I have a better context for understanding things.
the only video with "EXPLAINED" in the title which actually explains instead of rehearsing of what happened on the screen thank you!! i was utterly, devastatingly confused
I saw the movie without having read the book, but I was delighted throughout the running time! Confused? Yes. Understood very little? Totally. Even still, once I realized this movie was talking about loneliness in a level no other movie had before, I just fell in love with it. It's a great movie that I wouldn't recommend to everybody, for obvious reasons, but still a great movie!
Commenting late, but having seen the film without reading about the book, I actually thought it was about dementia, particularly as we see the father has it later on. I always assumed that the woman changing her name and jobs was more that she represented a LOT of women he might have come across - not even just crushes, but teachers, friends, etc. Kind of like how the girls at Tulsey Town are seen as students at the high school he works at. I never believed he actually had a long-term girlfriend, but perhaps very short relationships. However, knowing more about the book and after rewatching a third or fourth time, I'm inclined to go with Schizophrenia. It also helps explain other aspects of the story. Not to mention that Jake's mother also seemed a little mentally unwell - clearly when we last see her alive, she's doing poorly, but even at that first "dinner". She could also have had it, or other mental health issues.
Been waiting patiently for this! The film felt so alive like it was constantly evolving and the viewer was a part of it. I like the sense of purgatory that Kaufman added.
it was a joyride of a film. My partner and I had an increasing "what the hell are we watching" feeling that evolved into sharing our own perspectives and theories with each other while the film was happening. the movie is about loneliness but i could not have enjoyed it as much without someone to share it with
This was someone's interpretation that I felt was very well done. I wish I would have thought of it. Kira on goodreads I agree that the entire book takes place in Jake's head. He is actually the janitor at the school and has been for many years. The one thing that it seems to me people keep missing is when the "girlfriend" finds a little blue blouse she wore when she was a child, but now it has blood on it. Blood is always significant, especially under these circumstances, where we are in the mind of someone who is severely mentally ill. I believe Jake was the man standing outside the "girlfriend's" window when she was a child, and he actually came in the window and killed her (perhaps he carried her somewhere else, probably back to the school, to kill her). Now, when part of him is trying to convince himself to commit suicide and the part of him that wants to survive is trying to show him that he really could have a decent life, he imagines that little girl all grown up and he meets her in a bar. If he'd had the courage to ask her out, maybe they could have had a relationship. But all through the book she is thinking about ending things, because Jake is thinking about ending things, meaning ending his life. Death is all around in this book: cold, snowy winter weather is often symbolic of death; there are the dead lambs and the horrible, grisly death of the pigs. I will never forgive Iain Reid for putting that image into my head because it was so unnecessary, especially since there wasn't anything comparable *anywhere* else in the book. If you're wondering why the ending goes from first person singular to first person plural, the general consensus is that Jake suffers from dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality) and all of the characters in the book are parts of his psyche.
I don't think he murdered that girl. That clothes are his. Its not a blouse, but a light blue shirt for a child and its not blood in it, but paint stain instead.( paperback page 166- 167) Everything, especially near the end, when the girlfriend talks about her blue chair, brown teapot, blue slippers, are all Jake's( because in the farmhouse when she visited, Jake's room had blue chair, brown teapot, and also blue slippers she was wearing were Jake's) . In the end, we are seeing them all becoming one. We realize that something is not right when she saw a pic of child with tricycle in the farmhouse. Jake told her it was him, but she thinks that was her and after reading the novel, we realize why both think its them. Also, I think that pigs and the maggots were foreshadowing of what was about to come, so it was important. Jake had some medical conditions(we don't know what he really had, but was definitely sick with something), he had nosebleeds, extreme sweating, very bad headaches, rashes, physical issues (and probably insomina) and also had social phobia and probably had some mental illness. The maggots most likely represented his condition. So he is basically in pain by being eaten alive by those medical conditions. . So just like how his father killed the pigs, he chose to kill himself, so that he didn't have to suffer anymore. Near the end of the novel before he kills himself, he/his(characters in his mind) repeat this "What if it doesn’t get better? What if death isn’t an escape? What if the maggots continue to feed and feed and feed and continue to be felt", which still shows his fear of still suffering after death. But in the end, he chose to kill himself.
Great review and very eye opening! I think what clicked with me the most is how Jake's parents are reflected in the relationship of Jake and his girlfriend. They way she acts/talks/laughs and even stutter when they were having dinner was very similar to his mom's, and the way his father always corrected her mother after everything that she says to the point that she is not sure if she should say it or not is reflected on his girlfriend as well! This can especially be confirmed as they said "all families are they same" when they first entered his parents house! The way she said she doesn't know "where i end and Jake starts" and in the car when she justifies being with him saying he is nice and that "Jake doesn't beat me" also says a lot about relationships, that's mainly why i was confused in the movies, if it should be Jake's imagination why is she so relatable to women, her thoughts, the way she got angry by the "rape song" he sang her! Maybe she is a version of his mother? someone Jake thought he would date? maybe, because of being so lonely, his mother was the only woman in his life that's why his girlfriend was mimicking her every action in the visit? Maybe his mother suffered some sort of domestic abuse from his father that lead to her stater and (and Jake showed some signs of physical violence as well when he hit the car and when the mother told the girlfriend how he has a way of controlling people? just like his father?) . The conversation in the car about how people blame mother's for psychological issues in their kids also highly confirms this theory.
I love movies like this. At the beginning it just seems like bizarre scenes mashed together. But then at the end they all just align and make sense. To me as most people know "Lucy" doesn't exist. This character to me was an idealized version of a girlfriend that Jake desired and also an idealized version of himself. In the scene when the mom is talking about the ringing in her ears, I noticed the dad does not look at "Lucy" at all just like he doesn't look at Jake. And when "Lucy" sits next to the dad and leans on him shows what Jake actually wanted. He wanted affection and love from the dad which the dad never gave him or even "Lucy" in that scene cuz it seems like he doesn't notice "Lucy" there either. And let me just say the cinematography on this is just amazing. Like when the camera goes behind a corner and focuses on "Lucy" excludes her from everyone else showing that she doesn't belong another indication that she doesn't exist...Damn this is definitely the longest stuff I've typed. But yea I think the ratings on this movie according to IMDb is so not right but for me its among the best of this year (considering the amount of bad movies we've been given so far)
I read the book in one sitting and that same night I watched the film. I truly enjoyed the book, and although I think the movie does it justice, the movie for me was too exaggerated in trying to portray the big reveal. Great video as always Marianna! 👍😌
I love your interpretation, especially the about the impact of culture on our thinking. I saw the entire film as a conversation the old janitor was having with himself. He wanted a complete fantasy of a relationship with the girl in the red coat so he filled her personality with ideas from books and movies. He wanted the fantasy to be so real that he even tried to see her perspective of things- feminism, dating, movie reviews. Unfortunately, his depression and self loathing entered into the fantasy and so he had to create arguments with this fantasy girl. Even in his fantasy this girl must be thinking of breaking up with him.
I didn’t read the book but I didn’t stay too lost just with the movie. Kaufman made a good job with the script, cutscenes and photography exploring the wild trip of jake’s brain. It’s like you said: the movie give to all of us the feeling to rewatch and to discover new interpretations. Love your video! ❤️
Have not read the book yet (bought it yesterday), but the way I saw the film was that the visit is a dream like amalgamation of all the actual visits that HAD happened in the past, with different women at different periods - hence the changes of appearence and age of the characters - and that the visit was always the straw that broke the camels back for Jake, that shattered his confidence in himself and the relationship he was in, despite wanting it really bad. The parents clearly had no idea how to handle a child that is lightyears more inteligent and more curious than they are, Jake did not get any support system at home or at school, so he became a recluse. He is clearly ashamed of his parents and their ignorance, but at the same time, he cannot shed the burden they represent because they are his parents and Jake is a decent person. Unfortunately, his resentment and growing responsability towards his parents, combined with a general lack of self confidence just eats away any chance of happiness, both in personal and professional space (see the dance scene, where the janitor kill the happy "Jake"). His only moment of peace come when he accepts the fact that someone has to be the rotting corpse of a pig as well and that someone is him. To be honest, I was convinced that this movie went completly over my head until I remembered that I saw Stay (2005 - dir. Marc Forster; with Ewan McGregor, Ryan Gosling and Naomi Watts), which could be a really nice companion piece to this.
Thank you for posting this follow up so promptly. I did not read the book. I watched the film the same day I watched your first video about it and initially was left frustrated. Turns out I just needed time to let it percolate in my mind. I also read two different reviews after and they helped me process what I'd just seen. I was struck most by the language used in the story, both the direct quotes from various media but also from the characters. So beautiful, yet equally mournful as well. This is a film I plan to revisit several times. Both your videos enhanced my experience. The first to fire my enthusiasm to see it, the second to help fill in the gaps of a mysterious film that changes like a chameleon as it unfurls. It's actually fun to contemplate this thing!
Thank you for watching! Happy to shed some light no the story, there are a lot of interesting analysis videos and articles out there, so it's been fun to participate in the conversation.
Watched film, haven’t read the book (yet). I didn’t know there was a book until the credits rolled. (I clicked on your video because you showed the book in the thumbnail) I loved the tongue in cheek meta-humor (a staple to many Netflix originals imo). I knew something was up when the closed captions identified the “Lucy” as “young woman” and knew at that point the movie was either about her regaining her memory, or him projecting onto her. Initially I was preferential to the former. By the end, I knew it was the latter because they argued about the value of youth and Jake harped on its beauty and life. When I thought on the young woman’s defining adjective, it made itself clear the relationship was about his love of youth and woman. I love how intentional they were about subtle inconsistencies and was sparked to imagine time travel, alternate timelines, or memory loss (given the media that I traditionally consume). However the film seemed too concrete to explore those films. My favorite scene was before she went upstairs in the house. She stood by the living room window and turned to find the room empty. Then, the camera panned to the hallway with the stairs. The young woman walked into frame from a different room with a different outfit. I was shook. By the end I halfheartedly landed on schizophrenia, but thought it could all be a doctored memory. I went with schizophrenia because it was blurted in the midst of one of their conversations. Positively loved the film and your analysis gave me context (which made me love it more). First time I’ve seen one of your videos, but this analysis proved you are worth subscribing to!
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the film and my take on it )) And yes, my viewers are an amazing group of people, there are always very interesting conversations going on in the comments - I couldn't wish for a better audience.
Not having read the book (I was planning to based on your recommendation before I knew there was a movie) this video helped so much. I was on the verge of understanding but needed this to sort everything out. Can't wait to get reading! (Also, I just wanted to give praise to the sound design of the movie. Incredible. Too many instances of it being great, but the main one being when the mother whispers for her to go to the basement and suddenly the low drum of the storm--that you don't really notice--cuts out and leaves a deafening silence. Ah! so good!)
Guess I'm a little late to this vid, but I thought you did a fantastic analysis of the story. I had not read the book, but aside from a few scenes at the school toward the end, I gleaned nearly everything you said from the film itself. I remember everything clicking into place with the Pauline KaeI connection, and it was like a kick in the chest. I thought the ending was possibly my personal interpretation because I immediately went online and watched a breakdown like yours that didn't come to the same conclusions. I remember the person thinking the man lived because some snow fell off a tree or Jake's vehicle , and he mistook the sound of the snow plow for Jake's engine starting. His breakdown made me question my own take until seeing your vid. I haven't watched it a second time (has it been 2 years?), but I may get the courage to after seeing this. The movie shook me. I saw so much of myself in Jake's character. From the fragmented memories of parents long gone, to the "what might have been" thoughts of what I should have said or done differently to potentially lead to a better life. I remember reading many years ago that Charlie Kaufman wanted to make a horror film. He said it was going to be about what truly terrifies us (or something to that effect). I think he was talking about this movie, and the fear is living a wasted life and dying alone. On second thought, I think I'll read the book before rewatching the movie. I've become more of a series watcher than film buff over the years. The last movie I truly loved was Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind nearly 20 years ago, although Everything, Everywhere, All At Once made me feel some of that old movie magic this year and may join that list. Charlie Kaufman seems to have my number when it comes to emotional storytelling. I have no idea how the algorithm put this 2 year old vid in my suggestions, but I'm glad it did. I don't even know what your channel is about, but I subscribed. If you made it this far, I apologize for the long-winded post. Have a great day.
"...or are our thoughts a shattered reflection of a perceived reality?" What a great line to end on! I was just listening to this and thought of the scene where the girlfriend looks at herself in the cracked car window when she said that. I later watched the video and saw she showed that scene. Nice.
Absolutely well done. You got to the point of it without summing the whole movie. Oddly enough, even with spoilers your explanation still makes me want to watch.
I loved this review, it made me think more about my personal interpretation! This may be the first book I will read several times, I feel like there are parts of the book I’m forgetting because it was all so fleeting. Thank you for this video!!
great analysis! i have to admit the ending of the film was a bit jarring to me because it was so different than the book, though it hits at the same themes and has the same heart as the book. i just was not expecting the ballet/musical/animated pig haha. but the more i think about it, the more i like it. i did love how different the conversations in the car were from the book and watching Buckley inhabit these different personas, especially when she recites the film review of 'A Woman Under the Influence' and she looks right at the camera. brilliant acting.
Thank you! I'm with you, the ending really took me by surprise on my first viewing - it's something that I had to let sink in for a bit. I'm still not 100% sure that it needed to be THAT out there, which is why I kept the rating at 9/10. I know Kaufman said that he didn't want it to be all about the plot twist, but I really don't think have a more defined ending like the book would have taken away from any of the themes. Glad you enjoyed the film!
@@ImpressionBlend yeah I watched it with my roommate and he had not read the book, so he was pretty confused about what literally happens. i explained what i thought happened based on the book, which helped him a lot. but i often have trouble with films, or books, shows, etc. that feel a bit needlessly confusing? just to be artsy? idk if that's exactly the case here but i think a bit more clarity would have been helpful.
First attempted to watch when it came out - didn’t know it was a book. I wasn’t familiar with Oklahoma at all, but after a little research the song and knife fight made SO much more sense. Honestly never seen a film like it, and have lost count of how many times I’ve watched it, but every time I pick up a little something I missed. Well worth the effort to experience that film. Definitely checking out the book.
Thanks for making this Marianna. Given the detail of your analysis I was hoping to hear your thoughts on the very end of the closing credits, as it casts doubt over the fate of Jake. A brief moment, but clearly a deliberate one by Kaufman, seemingly missed by many viewers.
Appreciate the reply Marianna, a really pleasant suprise. No, I'm not referring to the snowfall (though that may be a result of what perhaps is happening in the scene). If you pay close attention to the audio at the very end there is the sound of someone attempting to start their vehicle (presumably Jake, still alive, trapped within his snow cocoon?). Specifically I believe it's the sound of wheels spinning. The sound is confirmed if you turn on subtitles ("clunking" and "whirring"). To many it may seem trivial, but I'm truly curious as to why Kaufman chose this and your thoughts on it. Particularly as most people assume Jake died (which he indeed may have, making it an even sadder ending depending on how you take the sounds we hear).
This explanation has helped immensely. I never read the book and i did not know what to make of what I had watched after viewing it for the first time earlier today.
The arts shaping our thinking is definitely a theme throughout the film, but there also seems to be a recurring idea that the arts are very different from reality. Jake says 'Ta-da!' when they arrive at various locations, and I think that the stark contrast between this simple phrase and the complex monologues that draw on novels etc. is doing some work in the film.
Absolutely, and I think that's part of the whole "arts shaping our thinking" thing - if it's something that shapes our ideas, and if it doesn't reflect reality, then our ideas are disconnected from reality.
Absolutely incredible take on this movie. I love Charlie Kaufman's work and despite I really enjoyed the movie, I had a hard time focusing on what was going on and what the movie really is about. I agree 100% with your point of view. Discovered your channel just this morning and have binge watched since. Amazing work on every single video. Keep it up Marianna. Cheers from Bogotá, Colombia.
One of the best interpretations I have hear thus far, I love that brought to my attention the fact that the movie chose to include the part of "A Beautiful Mind" that is a romanticized version of reality, which basically fake reality.
Comment about suicide references Albert Camus and the existential question as to whether to continue living or not in spite of the absurdities and apparent meaninglessness of life. I did not see Camus on his bookshelf though. Your explanation makes a lot of sense and is similar to David Lynch’s “Mullholland Drive” which is about what is going through the mind of a failed actress before she commits suicide. The scene with the diner in the middle of nowhere remains a mystery.
Excellent! I’ve watched four of these explanations, and yours seems to be the most accurate. I had my own opinions of what I thought was happening, but having not read the book I needed clarity. Great job!
I haven't read the book! But my movie watching group and I actually took away a lot of feminist social commentary from the film. Jake's character had a lot of characteristics of societal stereotypes that we've been coming to be aware of the more we examine toxic masculinity. He's with a woman (real or not) who is smarter than him in many ways which intimidates him and highlights his own self doubts and views on his own inadequacies (never following his artistic dreams, etc.). When the stream of consciousness moments started happening in the parents' house, it almost felt like a hyperbolic representation of gaslighting. Lucy would find reality being different than she had just thought and was told that nothing was wrong. I think this can also exist at the same time as it being Jake's romanticized memories of his life and that fake relationship. Towards the end when he leaves her in the car, she has a short monologue about whether or not he could possibly be a monster and how she (and many women) are pressured into saying yes a lot in life, just to avoid the possibility of anger and backlash from men. I feel like this was also represented in the choice of Oklahoma being referenced throughout the movie as that play has a very problematic perspective on gender roles (product of it's time, meh). There were also a few other things such as Jake's timidness towards the girls in the school and at the Tulsey Town and the friendlier girl's warning to Lucy/Lucia/Louisa/Ames. I think there's also something to be said about the nature of the male perspective on the female perspective (if that makes sense) both in pop culture throughout history and still to this day. And like I said before, I think all of these things can coexist alongside all of the metaphors and symbolism that you discussed here about Jake's perspective on his own loneliness and failures and hopes and fantasies. That's one of the incredibly impressive things about this movie. No idea how much of this was intended or if we're interpreting these things because they're things my friends and I care a lot about in life and therefore that's the perspective we get. After watching a few reviews and explainers though, I haven't seen anyone else talk about this possible side of it. But let me just also say, the way that body language and micro aggressions were portrayed in this movie were STELLAR. I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it in that regard.
interesting, because i thought his representation of her as a feminist, rang "true" in the fact she seemed more like a jake-centric movie version of a feminist more than an actual feminist, if you follow me. a character more interested in shows of feminism and complaining about the male gaze and an old song than actually 'living feminism'.
That whole bit with the “rape song” was interesting. The movie went throughout reframing or subverting pop culture, and in a way, highlighting its traps.
There's no toxic masculinity, just masculinity. Masculinity in powerful, obnoxious and offensive. If it does if fact offend you, that means it's being done correctly. There are, however, toxic people. This is not mutually exclusive to men.
Movie definitely should be watched after listening or reading the book. The book enhances the movie and visa versa. Loved the movie. Loved the book. Thank you for recommending the book way back when! So good!
I propose that although he of course was struggling the entire movie with suicidal ideation, he did not intend to kill himself in the car that night; it's strongly implied from the conversation at Tulsey Town and apparently more so in the book that he was cleaning the floor(s) with a varnish that may have impaired his mental capacity. In the beginning of the final scene we see him stumbling out to the truck almost as if he's drunk, which leads me to believe he may have simply passed out on accident before waking up in the confused hypothermic state. This is EVEN MORE poetic when you consider that even this final decision of his life (committing suicide) ultimately wasn't decided by him, fitting perfectly into the theme of him unable/unwilling to pursue his dreams and goals.
Also, the final shot is particularly striking, as it mirrors the conversation with his father where it's stated "but how can a landscape alone be sad if there's no character in it to make me feel sad", when in actuality Jake IS in the scene, completely buried in the snow and dead.
I stumbled upon your channel when i was looking for a review of Sputnik. and what a pleasant surprise this was.Watched The Wailing last night because of your review and that movie made me tuck my legs inside the bed.
I liked how this film makes us think about the way we all are consuming media these days but the book is different it totally focuses on loneliness and the longing for connecting with people around us. "What are you waiting for?"
What a fantastic movie. This movie is an experience. I'm experiencing someone' daydreaming. It's sad since daydream is what we want which means what we do not have. I cried while I watched because I saw myself with him; with so much lost potential or lost potential that I only saw in myself while I am just a pig being eaten alive.
One more down the rabbit hole. Did the dad kill Jakes dog? Is that why Jake is also terrified of the basement? We only ever see the dog shaking, soaking wet, and Jake apologizes for the smell. The smell of death? Did the dad put the dog in the washing machine in the basement to punish Jake is his childhood? What do you think?
That's dark O.o I didn't get that impression about the dog. I think the basement for more of a metaphoric place he didn't want to visit - kind of like the dark places of his memories.
@@ImpressionBlend agreed! Just figured that might be one of the dark traumatic memories he's suppressing. It made the washing machine moment really tense and suspenseful for me. I thought Lucy was going to pull out something to do with the dog.
Great breakdown and discussion/review! I listened to the audiobook version of this when it came out, so I knew the basic premise right at the outset. I think it was transformed into a film very ably and artistically, but personally the book ending struck me as being more powerful and less ambiguous. There's nothing wrong with ambiguity, and the book leaves a lot of room for interpretation. But by foregrounding the suicide and mental illness, the book gives us very clear factual parameters within which to contemplate the mysterious nature of delusion, memory, regret, loneliness, desire and the nature of relationships/lack thereof. Kauffman is generally interested in blurring and interrogating the appearance/reality distinction, and so he gives us an ending that is multi-dimensional. Is Jake dying while fantasizing the story? Is it a schizophrenic hallucination or a tossed salad of memory and fantasy on the part of a man who is lucid enough to know these are "what if" scenarios of his own imagination fueled by dire loneliness and despair? While the book allows us to ask similar questions, it also supplies hard limits on our interpretations. Whatever else we do/do not know, it is made plain that this is not an "iffy" suicide (i.e. maybe hypothermia, maybe less than fully deliberate suicide). We have, in the book, links to the external world through the perspective of school employees responding to the shocking and violent event of a clearly deliberate suicide. If nothing else is conspicuously real in the book, that very violent act is, thus putting everything else that has transpired in stark relief. In the movie version it's even possible to view the events metaphysically as a transition from earthly to other realms of experience while dying. Both endings are extremely sad, and both leave viewers with much to chew on and interpret. But Kauffman's vision is more solipsistic, as if even at the end there is no hard and fast line between the subjective perspective of the character, and the perspective offered to viewers by the director. The closest we get is the snowed in car. But the details of actual events are not supplied. I would have preferred the hard and fast "to be or not to be" ending in keeping with the book. But then, I already read it and so am probably biased by that fact. Kauffman's version plays up the surrealism of the novel, and softens the contrast between the real and the merely apparent. There are no outside witnesses to vouch for what went down at the school. The viewer is thrown back on her own interpretive resources to piece what happens at the end together relying on subtle clues you mention (e.g. the car keys). At first I was a bit let down by this less specific ending, but now replaying it here, I think both versions are excellent-- just different artistic styles. (I'll admit, though, that the song from Oklahoma felt a bit overdone to me, though it fits in well with your point about Jake's experience being so heavily mediated by mass-culture/media).
I read the book first and was so excited to see the film. To be honest, the ending disappointed me. I felt that the high school scene was cut short and lacked the amount of suspense that the book provided. I also wish they had shown the brutal ending, but I understand it may have been too graphic for some people to stomach. I’m still disappointed by it, though. I watched the movie with my boyfriend who hadn’t read the book and he was completely lost. Even after I explained the ending to him, he felt lost. We both felt the ending was lacking, but maybe Kaufman’s style isn’t our own. I enjoyed the movie up until the high school ending. I thought it was brilliantly done by the actors, editors, director, etc. I personally think the book is much better than the movie, but the random artsy ending just isn’t my style. Reading all these comments, I know I’m alone, but maybe I’ll find someone who felt the same way as me.
Considering the pig symbolism maybe part of the story is that jake was neglected by his parents and was spiritually or psychologically eaten alive and basically half-dead already as a kid growing up in that household and then they kill the pig for dinner. So maybe it felt like his parents were consuming him with their oblivious lack of empathy and cold pragmatism. Which led to a consistent sense of not being there or not being alive and not being able to relate to others as he was never nurtured or cared for. He tries to make excuses for their failures by having the gf say at least they loved you. but you can love farm animals and still fail to care for them properly by failing to heat the barn and they freeze to death or failing to check on pigs or clean the sty and they get eaten alive. its not a bad intention, its just a failure to actually take care of someone or an animal that you do genuinely love. but the results are still horrifying despite the love that may have been there.
Just watched it, did not read book beforehand. Now that I've heard your take and kind of thought about it. It was kind of like a non horrific Jacob's Ladder I guess, but something more as well. It was definitely a good movie
I thought about many of the same ideas as I watched this movie, twice and maybe six hours apart. This is a film about how our culture doesn't just effect how we live our lives, but also how we reflect on our lives. There's so much to extract from it. I'm still unsure of who Yvonne is. Can you help me with that? Great video.
Yvonne is the character in the fake Zemeckis movie, and what's also interesting is that the same actress plays the girlfriend for a few moments in the car.
@@ImpressionBlend Can't believe I missed that even though I've seen it twice already. So much happens in the house and at the school, but the most compelling moments for me were in the car. So much to wrap your head around.
I absolutely adored the book, definitely one of my favorite books of all time. Brillianttly woven, original, and a deep dessertation into the human mind under the influence of loneliness and/or depression. The movie was a 9/10 for me due to some artistic choices and cuts. Overall, though, I love both of them and I'm so happy that what you explained is pretty much what I noticed as well. ❤️
Excellent breakdown as always!! Definitely makes me interested to rewatch - yaknow, when I've built my 'depressing movie tolerance' back up again :) Truly enjoyed the movie and your review, great work!!!!
Wow, wow, wow!!! I didn’t like this movie when I first watched it. In fact, I hated it. However, after hearing your analysis of the film, my mind is blown. Now everything makes sense. Especially the title. I don’t have Netflix anymore but if I did, I would re-watch the film now. Thank you!
I'll add another comment, now that this discussion is long dead. At the very end of the movie, the car (which was alternately a truck) is covered with snow in which Jakes supposed frozen corpse resides. Then there is the sound of the vehicle's ignition starting. Only a few people seem to have noticed this sound. I have theory on why this sound was inserted. All the characters in the movies are either Jake, or composite memories of people he knew, but in this hall of mirrors of a movie the car starting sound reminds the astute viewer that Jake and all his tortured menagerie are a creation of Reid/Kaufmann. Both author and director are still alive and the ignition reminds the audience to take on more step back when asking themselves what or who is real.
Watched the movie, haven't read the book. At first I thought it was a break up story but when they got to the house I started thinking that the whole movie was taking place in the mind of an old woman with Alzheimer's or something. Her husband (Jake) is sound of mind and is basically trying to have a conversation with his wife whose mind is going away. The road trip and meeting with his parents are a memory that is significant to her for some reason which is why her mind is focussed on this setting. There's the topic of gerontology (both mentioned at dinner and represented by Jake's parents) and both Jake and the young woman were brilliant people with a wide variety of interests which is why their professions and other details are constantly shifting. The old woman has a bunch of facts in her head but she's just getting them all mixed up. Jake seems to be the only "normal" person in the house and he's obviously getting frustrated with the conversation and is correcting people, perhaps him representing him correcting his wife in the "real world" that we do not see. When they visit the ice cream store, I was thinking maybe the old woman was bringing up a memory of when Jake was unfaithful. Jake is obviously ashamed of this, as represented by him looking away when the pretty girls are serving at the counter. Then she goes to the school and it is revealed that Jake may have also been abusive (he was a creep when he met her at the bar during trivia night). I was thinking the dance sequence represented her choosing Jake over another love interest and she's expressing regret. Then... the perspective changed from her to the janitor and then I had no idea anymore haha so I watched this video. Thanks, your explanation makes more sense! EDIT: Also, I definitely thought the movie was a stream-of-consciousness novel on film, sort of like a modern take on The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner. Except all the while I thought it was a modern take of The Sound and the Fury's chapter 1 but it turns out it's a modern take of a combination of chapters 1 AND 2 haha
Very well done, one of the best takes. Here’s a few questions I have. The marks on the basement door. Is it possible he actually hurt someone at some point explaining the snow covered car (not his truck) at the school. Was her body in that vehicle from when he left her in the car. This also explains his early peering out of the window. My other theory, is it possible he came to the realization that it was unhealthy to hold on to these mental obsessions and ended those ideas so he could move on? Explaining why the truck was not there and since he was the janitor at the school was operating the plow
I just finished the movie and got a headache, becuase I barely understood what the hell was going on. THANK YOU SO MUCH for this video! I've never read the book but I've seen Charlie's previous 2 directorial films (and loved them), and after watching this video- I got a much better understanding of what it is. I'll watch it again in the future and hopefully I'll be able to enjoy it and pick up on subtle details
This movie made me think about the parallels in my own life, and how my life would have been different if I had stayed in my home town and worked the family farm in Pennsylvania, instead of moving to San Francisco and taking my own path, but how much of life is my own path, or just choosing different influences in my life as a rejection of my Republican parents who have a TV blaring advertising in every room, mostly stuck on the 24 hour Fox News cycle or an endless and mindless stream of commercial network television. I started thinking about all the different types of life I could have lived, if I had chosen to stay with relationships, or not, stay with jobs or not, become friends with people or not, go to Burning Man or not, take an acting class or not, a hike/camping trip or not, take a writing class or not, moved or not, all the little decisions made that shape one's life. I feel grateful for my current life with my loving and creative wife, and my creative plans for the future. The character in the movie ruminating on his life regrets things he did not do, I tend to regret things I do, sometimes I wish I would have made different choices in hindsight, but I have always been seeking more and willing to take the risk and consequences, sometimes things don't go as well I hoped and I am filled with regret, but it's really fascinating to think about alternate realities, and also realize that I need to take control of my life, or it will be shaped for me by outside influences. I will be watching this movie again, and maybe listen to the audible version of the book. Thank you for making this video!
1. Forget the book. 2. He's a serial killer. He murdered at least 6 girls. 1 A waitress named Louisa. 2 A physics student. 3 an art student. 4 A film student. 5 and 6 The two girls at the Tulsey town from the 60s and the one girl at the Tulsi Town from the 80s. He murdered young women over 2 decades. That makes 7. Look at the logo. What happened to Little Red Riding Hood?
Having not read the book, I would say that to me it wasn't super clear that there was a suicide involved. I got all the stuff about Jake being the janitor and the woman not being real, etc, but when he was in the truck taking his clothes off, it kinda seemed like he was having a heart attack or something. But I guess I just don't have enough knowledge of freezing to death to understand what was happening there lol
I think it's open to interpretation, and I thought the same as you on my first viewing. However, when I rewatched it - the specifics of the situation stood out more to me.
Wow. Great breakdown of the film and the book. I watched the movie first and then read the book. The book is less ambiguous than the film, but perhaps that is because I already had an inkling to what was going on?! The book has an amazing ability to make you feel rising tension and the movie conveys that just as well. Thanks for the great explanations and video. 😃✌🏽
15 minutes ago, I hadn't heard of either the movie or the book. All I know about either is what I saw in this video. But offhand, it sounds like the story of my so-called life.
I was wondering how the feminist themes of the film relate to the book. It seemed more feminist than the other Kaufmann movies, even if some of them already have feminist elements. My guess would be that the book is probably more explicitly feminist and more on the side of the young woman and critical of the way the guy is influenced by patriarchal societal views, even if he is aware of that to some extent. It's definetly a big and one of the most interesting parts of it not mentioned in this video.
Not really. The book doesn't have much to do with femisim or anything related to that. The movie just added feminism and other things, but there is nothing much in the book. And that movie sucked. I loved the book so much, but the movie disappointed me too much. The girlfriend's point of view in the book is more about observation of Jake as a human being and nothing much to do with patriarchy or him being influenced by it. The movie was critical of Jake. But Jake in the book reveals his irrational fears, fear of socializing, his extreme loneliness, insecurities about his appearances, his ticks/habits, anxiety about meeting and talking to people etc. There is a sentence in the book that says that we might learn about others through observation. She is observing Jake and her surroundings and at the same time we as the readers are observing her, him, the custodian and other people and also the surroundings. We see how similar they are to each other the more we observe them throughout the book. Spoiler: The book is more about a person who has reached his limit after suffering so much from loneliness (that he literally lived in his head most of time with imaginary characters), and some kind of mental illness and physical illnesses with no one by his side and therefore, he decided to end things before doing one last thing.
It kiiiiills me that you and Spooky astronauts posted two videos about the film AND book and included spoilers. My book only arrives in 2 weeks....patience is a virtue
I think if you watch the movie without having read the book, you'll be left with the biggest "what the hell did i just watch" moment.
This is what happened to me. Good thing Marianna made this vid.
Yes, I watched this without even knowing there was a book of the same title (until I saw it written on the screen in the credits). I came away from the 2+ hours saying those exact words. "What the hell did I just watch?"
Haha..good thing there was a video here. I read the book but the movie still had so many new stuff that i could not figure out 🤯
I watched it before reading the book. Its pretty obvious to me though. Like super obvious. You guys were just on ur phone while watching it and didnt pay attention.
That's me.. i didn't get the movie until I saw these explanations.. i figured the old guy was the young guy, but i figure out who the female was, i figured she might be imaginary or that some supernatural (alien) event occurring here.
I only read the book and it made me severely depressed. It wasn't creepy, just so heartbreakingly depressing.
The movie was the same for me. Just incredibly dreadful and depressing.
I could tell right away it's that kind of take on existentialism, in this case, through the hallucinations of a dying old man.
Time and death are the fears that trap us all, like a never ending snowstorm.
i'm just done reading it, and i wish it had a triggerwarning, it made me feel very bad.
I was happy to see that you made this movie explanation because I was left totally confused by this movie. I realize that I must be a simpleton when it comes to movies like this one. I was totally confused while watching it and afterwards I was simply left feeling sad and even somewhat depressed for hours and I couldn't understand why. This movie has really felt like a mindfk to me. It's so interesting to see people that understand movies on a much deeper level, so thanks again for this video, it gave me at least an idea of what the heck was going on in this movie 🙂
Definitely not something to feel bad or stupid about. The movie was made to be intentionally vague and confusing with its central ideas, so that you as a viewer can project your own ideas onto it. It's cool that you took a chance and watched the whole movie even though it was probably not the type of film you'd normally seek out.
And interpreting/understanding films on a deeper level is a skill that you learn over time. As you watch more movies and expose yourself to different points of view, you start to develop a system of how to break down and analyze symbolic elements of filmmaking. Hope this movie serves as a gateway to explore different kinds of storytelling, rather than a barrier that prevents you from seeking those weirder films out!
I asked myself "what the f@💀 k ?" more times in this movie than any other movie in my entire life!! After this brilliant explanation of the movie here, it is truly an amazing movie that I must watch again, and I need the book in my life as well
Same here, only worse, because I was convinced I actually understood it.
Oh you are fine! She read the book before and analyzed it and watched the movie twice. Other you tubers similarly watched the movie twice. By no means you should feel bad for not getting something that isn’t a typical mode of storytelling. Stream of consciousness vs memory or the present. What does that even look like!? That’s why the movie is sooo good when you realize they’re trying to portray the former.
Idk i pretty much figure out the big picture halfway through the movie.
It's a sign of a good movie if it stays with you after watching, and this one certainly did that. Really useful analysis of a complex plot, and I feel now a second viewing is needed.
Thank you! And I completely agree - it's always great to see a film that makes you think, stays with you, and makes you want to examine it on repeat viewings.
So true, I couldn't stop thinking about it and it's been 3 days already! I'll definitely be re-watching.
I didn't read the book and went into this movie completely blind. This is the first time that I really needed an "explained" video to understand a movie. Usually when I watch very complex movies I have a pretty clear idea of what the film is saying or have theories what the director tried to accomplish and why I thought the movie failed to convey his or her message. But while I picked up on little detail after detail (this movie is so full of them) all I could correctly figure out about the overarching theme of the movie was the fact that the narrator was probably an unreliable one.
I was focused on making sense of the complex relationships between the characters and on the brilliant dialogue that felt like deep, real conversations that opened up big questions I was lingering on. I also got stuck on many little details that didn't help my understanding of the story, for example the scratches on the basement door, the dog drying itself by shaking for too long and disappearing instantly, the fact the girlfriend whose name I tried keeping track of lied about the caller on her phone (and what the hell was the call she finally took?!?), the urn of Jimmy (probably the dog) in Jakes bedroom to name just a fraction. Feeling the whole time something was off I expected a heavy horror twist when Lucy(?) was about to enter the school. My perception at that point was that Jake had the power of time-manipultion and somehow sucked all accomplishments out of his victims, so I saw all the ice cream cups in the trash container as confirmation for my theory. The rather wholesome interaction between the janitor (I had no idea where to place him in my theory exept for maybe an accomplice) and Lucy(?) threw my theory off, the ballet sequence confused me profoundly and the acceptance speech/musical number f**ked my brain up for good. But I was kind of happy that my pretty boring theory was obviously wrong. Was it all about the janitor? At that point I wasn't able to wrap it all around anymore.
I was never that confused by a movie, probably period but at least not by one I thought of as absolutely brilliant when it ended. The atmosphere of the entire film was beautifully melancholic with just the right amount of nostalgia and suspense. The performances were captivating and extraordinary across the board and I think I have never experienced dialogue as interesting as this. Thank you for helping me understand what my brain couldn't comprehend. My questions are answered and my admiration for this movie is complete :)
Thank you for the recommendation, I haven't seen that one. It's on my list now.
At about 8:08, we're pretty sure that the actress who blink-and-you'll-miss-it plays "Lucy" is the actress who plays "Yvonne" in the movie that older janitor Jake is watching during his lunch break (the one "directed by Robert Zemeckis"). We agree with, honestly, all of your interpretation, and think that you lay it out very articulately. Something else that we think might be worth mentioning in those moments of projection and fantasy--though neither my better half nor I can say for sure what it all means--is the big dance scene:
In 'Oklahoma', a musical that recurs throughout 'I'm Thinking of Ending Things', there is a key moment called "The Dream Ballet," where--in many productions--performers who are different from the actors of all the other scenes tell a wordless dream-sequence story entirely through dance, much like near the end of this film. We'd have to re-familiarize ourselves with 'Oklahoma' (each of us has only seen it one time individually in our long-ago past and remember very little), but this all seems to go hand in hand with the idea of fantasizing for a far different life.
The idea of "failed potential" often pops up a lot in the film, including in that final moment of receiving the Nobel in the fantasy/dying vision; it recalls a bit of Toni Collette's often talking about/clinging to an instant in the past in which Jake won a pin of some kind when younger (isn't she also seated onstage during that moment?). Jake, needless to say, never won a Nobel prize, and while we believe there is nobility and integrity of its own kind in being a janitor, it does not suggest that he went on to, say, do any work with the essays by Guy Debord or Pauline Kael that he's read or the other kinds of literary and visual media about which he's clearly well-educated (be it self-educated or academically-educated or both). Perhaps another fantasy of how he wishes life and his connections with people had played out.
[EDIT] We'd also shared an (admittedly clumsily-worded) interpretation regarding the references to Robert Zemeckis, 'A Beautiful Mind', and 'Oklahoma', but have deleted; Impression Blend posted an awesome link to an interview as a reply that is far more illuminating.
If you or anyone took the time to read this tome of a comment lol, thank you! (We really did try to keep it on the shorter side and are practicing brevity, but there's just SO MUCH to process and discuss here lmao) And thank you for the WONDERFUL analysis and sharing of interpretation. ))) Extremely articulate and clarifying, it taught us a lot, and also helped connect lots of dots and put into words ideas/observations otherwise difficult to explain.
P.S. ZOMG THE DUNE TRAILER ADAGLSLHFLHDKHCLGSKGAKTDLGAKG
I too wondered about the Zemeckis dig. My sin is that I didn’t read the book, so I don’t have any additional info. But I like your analysis as well.
WhatEverNoID I appreciate that, thank you. In the book, that moment actually does not happen; no reference to Zemeckis. I fear that even perhaps that might be too much info divulged, inconsequential as it might seem and as much of a non-worry as that fear assuredly is. I’ll withhold further comparisons though as I I 100% recommend the book (and also the audiobook-wonderfully performed).
Guys, it's not a dig at Zemeckis or Howard or "Oklahoma". Kaufman actually talks about all of these in his interviews - check this one out in particular, I think it will answer a lot of your questions: www.indiewire.com/2020/09/charlie-kaufman-explains-im-thinking-of-ending-things-1234584492/
Even without that though, come on now. Do you really think someone like Kaufman would intentionally take shots at his colleagues? That would be very surprising and disappointing.
Impression Blend Didn’t think it was a shot, just a nod to his brand or style of movies. As opposed to this style. A little bit different. Though thanks for reference. Will check it out. Thank you. Love your channel.
What an interesting analysis!
I usually don't like movies that end with "it was all in his/her head!", but this was so well done. Vauguely anxiety inducing story with fantastic acting, set and production design.
Thank you! Same here, it's actually one of my least favorite tropes, but this is definitely an exception
Exactly bc it didn’t come bc our off nowhere. It was there all a long subtly and if one were to watch it again one would see it. It actually explains the damn thing
My interpretation of the movie (without reading the book) was actually that it was about thinking to end the relationship. Throughout the movie we see how some unfulfilling relationships start, and one gets stuck in it despite thinking of ending it. We see that the female character tells herself that she will end the relationship, and it will be their last drive together. But when they arrive at his parents' house, she finds herself witnessing his parents get old, symbolizing she never left. The concept is also reinforced by the scene where she walks down the stairs again and again, and says she has lost herself and her existence is marely for approving Jack and his actions. It is also shown towards the end that when in the high school she finds jack, there appears two dancers who represent their younger selves, and they marry during the dance, but after they marry, old jack appears and kill the younger jack, symbolizing jack is not someone she married anymore.
I feel like the film’s ending is meant to be more open-ended than the book. There’s a brief time during the credits where you hear an engine starting, which would imply that maybe Jake decided to keep going. I love when films do this, it makes theories and discussions much more intriguing.
Yes... i wait during the credits, and there's was a sound of a car
I'm pretty sure the car was a member of staff arriving before finding the body
I still have to rewatch it, but I think everytime the father talked to Jake, he was looking at the girl.
Thank you for breaking this all down so clearly! I had not read the book before viewing this movie recently, and I was just constantly confused until it got near the end of the film (I interpreted it as his life flashing before his eyes as he was dying from hypothermia in the car). I am excited to go back and watch it again now that I have a better context for understanding things.
the only video with "EXPLAINED" in the title which actually explains instead of rehearsing of what happened on the screen
thank you!! i was utterly, devastatingly confused
I saw the movie without having read the book, but I was delighted throughout the running time! Confused? Yes. Understood very little? Totally. Even still, once I realized this movie was talking about loneliness in a level no other movie had before, I just fell in love with it. It's a great movie that I wouldn't recommend to everybody, for obvious reasons, but still a great movie!
you explained it perfectly. I just finished the book and I already saw the movie. Great explanation.
So glad to hear the interpretations of someone who has read the book! Great video
Thank you!
Commenting late, but having seen the film without reading about the book, I actually thought it was about dementia, particularly as we see the father has it later on. I always assumed that the woman changing her name and jobs was more that she represented a LOT of women he might have come across - not even just crushes, but teachers, friends, etc. Kind of like how the girls at Tulsey Town are seen as students at the high school he works at. I never believed he actually had a long-term girlfriend, but perhaps very short relationships.
However, knowing more about the book and after rewatching a third or fourth time, I'm inclined to go with Schizophrenia. It also helps explain other aspects of the story. Not to mention that Jake's mother also seemed a little mentally unwell - clearly when we last see her alive, she's doing poorly, but even at that first "dinner". She could also have had it, or other mental health issues.
The movie was so good that I went out after watching it to purchase the book
I love when that happens ))
Me too!
Where can I get the book that's not online?
@@Aeliiaaa the bookstore
@@Aeliiaaa I got mine from target !
I was so scared reading the book but I couldn't stop!! That one specific chapter/page freaked me out!!
Been waiting patiently for this! The film felt so alive like it was constantly evolving and the viewer was a part of it. I like the sense of purgatory that Kaufman added.
Works using stream of consciousness in literature are incredibly fascinating and thought 🤔 provoking
it was a joyride of a film. My partner and I had an increasing "what the hell are we watching" feeling that evolved into sharing our own perspectives and theories with each other while the film was happening. the movie is about loneliness but i could not have enjoyed it as much without someone to share it with
This was someone's interpretation that I felt was very well done. I wish I would have thought of it.
Kira on goodreads
I agree that the entire book takes place in Jake's head. He is actually the janitor at the school and has been for many years. The one thing that it seems to me people keep missing is when the "girlfriend" finds a little blue blouse she wore when she was a child, but now it has blood on it. Blood is always significant, especially under these circumstances, where we are in the mind of someone who is severely mentally ill. I believe Jake was the man standing outside the "girlfriend's" window when she was a child, and he actually came in the window and killed her (perhaps he carried her somewhere else, probably back to the school, to kill her). Now, when part of him is trying to convince himself to commit suicide and the part of him that wants to survive is trying to show him that he really could have a decent life, he imagines that little girl all grown up and he meets her in a bar. If he'd had the courage to ask her out, maybe they could have had a relationship. But all through the book she is thinking about ending things, because Jake is thinking about ending things, meaning ending his life. Death is all around in this book: cold, snowy winter weather is often symbolic of death; there are the dead lambs and the horrible, grisly death of the pigs. I will never forgive Iain Reid for putting that image into my head because it was so unnecessary, especially since there wasn't anything comparable *anywhere* else in the book. If you're wondering why the ending goes from first person singular to first person plural, the general consensus is that Jake suffers from dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality) and all of the characters in the book are parts of his psyche.
I don't think he murdered that girl. That clothes are his. Its not a blouse, but a light blue shirt for a child and its not blood in it, but paint stain instead.( paperback page 166- 167) Everything, especially near the end, when the girlfriend talks about her blue chair, brown teapot, blue slippers, are all Jake's( because in the farmhouse when she visited, Jake's room had blue chair, brown teapot, and also blue slippers she was wearing were Jake's) . In the end, we are seeing them all becoming one. We realize that something is not right when she saw a pic of child with tricycle in the farmhouse. Jake told her it was him, but she thinks that was her and after reading the novel, we realize why both think its them.
Also, I think that pigs and the maggots were foreshadowing of what was about to come, so it was important.
Jake had some medical conditions(we don't know what he really had, but was definitely sick with something), he had nosebleeds, extreme sweating, very bad headaches, rashes, physical issues (and probably insomina) and also had social phobia and probably had some mental illness. The maggots most likely represented his condition. So he is basically in pain by being eaten alive by those medical conditions. . So just like how his father killed the pigs, he chose to kill himself, so that he didn't have to suffer anymore.
Near the end of the novel before he kills himself, he/his(characters in his mind) repeat this "What if it doesn’t get better? What if death isn’t an escape? What if the maggots continue to feed and feed and feed and continue to be felt", which still shows his fear of still suffering after death. But in the end, he chose to kill himself.
@@annatom4629really good analysis, well put
Great review and very eye opening! I think what clicked with me the most is how Jake's parents are reflected in the relationship of Jake and his girlfriend. They way she acts/talks/laughs and even stutter when they were having dinner was very similar to his mom's, and the way his father always corrected her mother after everything that she says to the point that she is not sure if she should say it or not is reflected on his girlfriend as well! This can especially be confirmed as they said "all families are they same" when they first entered his parents house!
The way she said she doesn't know "where i end and Jake starts" and in the car when she justifies being with him saying he is nice and that "Jake doesn't beat me" also says a lot about relationships, that's mainly why i was confused in the movies, if it should be Jake's imagination why is she so relatable to women, her thoughts, the way she got angry by the "rape song" he sang her! Maybe she is a version of his mother? someone Jake thought he would date? maybe, because of being so lonely, his mother was the only woman in his life that's why his girlfriend was mimicking her every action in the visit? Maybe his mother suffered some sort of domestic abuse from his father that lead to her stater and (and Jake showed some signs of physical violence as well when he hit the car and when the mother told the girlfriend how he has a way of controlling people? just like his father?) . The conversation in the car about how people blame mother's for psychological issues in their kids also highly confirms this theory.
I love movies like this. At the beginning it just seems like bizarre scenes mashed together. But then at the end they all just align and make sense. To me as most people know "Lucy" doesn't exist. This character to me was an idealized version of a girlfriend that Jake desired and also an idealized version of himself. In the scene when the mom is talking about the ringing in her ears, I noticed the dad does not look at "Lucy" at all just like he doesn't look at Jake. And when "Lucy" sits next to the dad and leans on him shows what Jake actually wanted. He wanted affection and love from the dad which the dad never gave him or even "Lucy" in that scene cuz it seems like he doesn't notice "Lucy" there either. And let me just say the cinematography on this is just amazing. Like when the camera goes behind a corner and focuses on "Lucy" excludes her from everyone else showing that she doesn't belong another indication that she doesn't exist...Damn this is definitely the longest stuff I've typed. But yea I think the ratings on this movie according to IMDb is so not right but for me its among the best of this year (considering the amount of bad movies we've been given so far)
Ok, after this explanation of yours, this is the best movie in YEARS!!! I MUST go buy the book as in NOW
I read the book in one sitting and that same night I watched the film. I truly enjoyed the book, and although I think the movie does it justice, the movie for me was too exaggerated in trying to portray the big reveal. Great video as always Marianna! 👍😌
I love your interpretation, especially the about the impact of culture on our thinking. I saw the entire film as a conversation the old janitor was having with himself. He wanted a complete fantasy of a relationship with the girl in the red coat so he filled her personality with ideas from books and movies. He wanted the fantasy to be so real that he even tried to see her perspective of things- feminism, dating, movie reviews. Unfortunately, his depression and self loathing entered into the fantasy and so he had to create arguments with this fantasy girl. Even in his fantasy this girl must be thinking of breaking up with him.
I didn’t read the book but I didn’t stay too lost just with the movie. Kaufman made a good job with the script, cutscenes and photography exploring the wild trip of jake’s brain. It’s like you said: the movie give to all of us the feeling to rewatch and to discover new interpretations. Love your video! ❤️
First review I've seen that mentioned the paradoxical undressing - So glad someone else noticed that!
another actor plays the girlfriend for a moment?? That's awesome! Terrific video, to accompany a terrific book and movie!
I didn't notice that either!!
Have not read the book yet (bought it yesterday), but the way I saw the film was that the visit is a dream like amalgamation of all the actual visits that HAD happened in the past, with different women at different periods - hence the changes of appearence and age of the characters - and that the visit was always the straw that broke the camels back for Jake, that shattered his confidence in himself and the relationship he was in, despite wanting it really bad. The parents clearly had no idea how to handle a child that is lightyears more inteligent and more curious than they are, Jake did not get any support system at home or at school, so he became a recluse. He is clearly ashamed of his parents and their ignorance, but at the same time, he cannot shed the burden they represent because they are his parents and Jake is a decent person. Unfortunately, his resentment and growing responsability towards his parents, combined with a general lack of self confidence just eats away any chance of happiness, both in personal and professional space (see the dance scene, where the janitor kill the happy "Jake"). His only moment of peace come when he accepts the fact that someone has to be the rotting corpse of a pig as well and that someone is him.
To be honest, I was convinced that this movie went completly over my head until I remembered that I saw Stay (2005 - dir. Marc Forster; with Ewan McGregor, Ryan Gosling and Naomi Watts), which could be a really nice companion piece to this.
Thank you for posting this follow up so promptly. I did not read the book. I watched the film the same day I watched your first video about it and initially was left frustrated. Turns out I just needed time to let it percolate in my mind. I also read two different reviews after and they helped me process what I'd just seen.
I was struck most by the language used in the story, both the direct quotes from various media but also from the characters. So beautiful, yet equally mournful as well.
This is a film I plan to revisit several times. Both your videos enhanced my experience. The first to fire my enthusiasm to see it, the second to help fill in the gaps of a mysterious film that changes like a chameleon as it unfurls. It's actually fun to contemplate this thing!
Thank you for watching! Happy to shed some light no the story, there are a lot of interesting analysis videos and articles out there, so it's been fun to participate in the conversation.
Watched film, haven’t read the book (yet). I didn’t know there was a book until the credits rolled. (I clicked on your video because you showed the book in the thumbnail)
I loved the tongue in cheek meta-humor (a staple to many Netflix originals imo). I knew something was up when the closed captions identified the “Lucy” as “young woman” and knew at that point the movie was either about her regaining her memory, or him projecting onto her. Initially I was preferential to the former.
By the end, I knew it was the latter because they argued about the value of youth and Jake harped on its beauty and life. When I thought on the young woman’s defining adjective, it made itself clear the relationship was about his love of youth and woman.
I love how intentional they were about subtle inconsistencies and was sparked to imagine time travel, alternate timelines, or memory loss (given the media that I traditionally consume). However the film seemed too concrete to explore those films. My favorite scene was before she went upstairs in the house. She stood by the living room window and turned to find the room empty. Then, the camera panned to the hallway with the stairs. The young woman walked into frame from a different room with a different outfit. I was shook.
By the end I halfheartedly landed on schizophrenia, but thought it could all be a doctored memory. I went with schizophrenia because it was blurted in the midst of one of their conversations.
Positively loved the film and your analysis gave me context (which made me love it more). First time I’ve seen one of your videos, but this analysis proved you are worth subscribing to!
(Also reading some of the comments and their replies shows you’ve attracted one hell of a supportive community)
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the film and my take on it )) And yes, my viewers are an amazing group of people, there are always very interesting conversations going on in the comments - I couldn't wish for a better audience.
you're the 4th reviewer of this film and I must say, you're the best...and the prettiest! thank you.
Not having read the book (I was planning to based on your recommendation before I knew there was a movie) this video helped so much. I was on the verge of understanding but needed this to sort everything out. Can't wait to get reading! (Also, I just wanted to give praise to the sound design of the movie. Incredible. Too many instances of it being great, but the main one being when the mother whispers for her to go to the basement and suddenly the low drum of the storm--that you don't really notice--cuts out and leaves a deafening silence. Ah! so good!)
Guess I'm a little late to this vid, but I thought you did a fantastic analysis of the story. I had not read the book, but aside from a few scenes at the school toward the end, I gleaned nearly everything you said from the film itself. I remember everything clicking into place with the Pauline KaeI connection, and it was like a kick in the chest. I thought the ending was possibly my personal interpretation because I immediately went online and watched a breakdown like yours that didn't come to the same conclusions. I remember the person thinking the man lived because some snow fell off a tree or Jake's vehicle , and he mistook the sound of the snow plow for Jake's engine starting. His breakdown made me question my own take until seeing your vid.
I haven't watched it a second time (has it been 2 years?), but I may get the courage to after seeing this. The movie shook me. I saw so much of myself in Jake's character. From the fragmented memories of parents long gone, to the "what might have been" thoughts of what I should have said or done differently to potentially lead to a better life. I remember reading many years ago that Charlie Kaufman wanted to make a horror film. He said it was going to be about what truly terrifies us (or something to that effect). I think he was talking about this movie, and the fear is living a wasted life and dying alone.
On second thought, I think I'll read the book before rewatching the movie. I've become more of a series watcher than film buff over the years. The last movie I truly loved was Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind nearly 20 years ago, although Everything, Everywhere, All At Once made me feel some of that old movie magic this year and may join that list. Charlie Kaufman seems to have my number when it comes to emotional storytelling.
I have no idea how the algorithm put this 2 year old vid in my suggestions, but I'm glad it did. I don't even know what your channel is about, but I subscribed. If you made it this far, I apologize for the long-winded post. Have a great day.
"...or are our thoughts a shattered reflection of a perceived reality?" What a great line to end on! I was just listening to this and thought of the scene where the girlfriend looks at herself in the cracked car window when she said that. I later watched the video and saw she showed that scene. Nice.
Absolutely well done. You got to the point of it without summing the whole movie. Oddly enough, even with spoilers your explanation still makes me want to watch.
Thank you :D
I really love this movie. It's so beautiful and sad. When you realize that it's all in Jake's head, it's so heartbreaking.
I loved this review, it made me think more about my personal interpretation! This may be the first book I will read several times, I feel like there are parts of the book I’m forgetting because it was all so fleeting. Thank you for this video!!
Film very difficult to understand , it gave me anguish and madness. Great video!
Thank you ))
There's a lot of parallels between Jake and Jud, the antagonist of Oklahoma, which is where the drea ballet comes into play
great analysis! i have to admit the ending of the film was a bit jarring to me because it was so different than the book, though it hits at the same themes and has the same heart as the book. i just was not expecting the ballet/musical/animated pig haha. but the more i think about it, the more i like it. i did love how different the conversations in the car were from the book and watching Buckley inhabit these different personas, especially when she recites the film review of 'A Woman Under the Influence' and she looks right at the camera. brilliant acting.
Thank you! I'm with you, the ending really took me by surprise on my first viewing - it's something that I had to let sink in for a bit. I'm still not 100% sure that it needed to be THAT out there, which is why I kept the rating at 9/10. I know Kaufman said that he didn't want it to be all about the plot twist, but I really don't think have a more defined ending like the book would have taken away from any of the themes. Glad you enjoyed the film!
@@ImpressionBlend yeah I watched it with my roommate and he had not read the book, so he was pretty confused about what literally happens. i explained what i thought happened based on the book, which helped him a lot. but i often have trouble with films, or books, shows, etc. that feel a bit needlessly confusing? just to be artsy? idk if that's exactly the case here but i think a bit more clarity would have been helpful.
First attempted to watch when it came out - didn’t know it was a book. I wasn’t familiar with Oklahoma at all, but after a little research the song and knife fight made SO much more sense.
Honestly never seen a film like it, and have lost count of how many times I’ve watched it, but every time I pick up a little something I missed.
Well worth the effort to experience that film. Definitely checking out the book.
Thanks for making this Marianna. Given the detail of your analysis I was hoping to hear your thoughts on the very end of the closing credits, as it casts doubt over the fate of Jake. A brief moment, but clearly a deliberate one by Kaufman, seemingly missed by many viewers.
Went back to see what you're talking about. Are you referring to the snow falling off the tree? Why do you think that casts doubt on Jake's fate?
Appreciate the reply Marianna, a really pleasant suprise. No, I'm not referring to the snowfall (though that may be a result of what perhaps is happening in the scene). If you pay close attention to the audio at the very end there is the sound of someone attempting to start their vehicle (presumably Jake, still alive, trapped within his snow cocoon?). Specifically I believe it's the sound of wheels spinning. The sound is confirmed if you turn on subtitles ("clunking" and "whirring"). To many it may seem trivial, but I'm truly curious as to why Kaufman chose this and your thoughts on it. Particularly as most people assume Jake died (which he indeed may have, making it an even sadder ending depending on how you take the sounds we hear).
😍
Glad I found your video, because the movie left me with so many questions. Now I have some much needed clarity.
I like your perspective. My first time viewing anything from your channel.
By far the best analysis I’ve seen on YT of this film. Fantastic deep dive, thank you!
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Brilliant review and explanation. Again, thank you!
Aww thank you so much!
This explanation has helped immensely. I never read the book and i did not know what to make of what I had watched after viewing it for the first time earlier today.
Thanks for watching! I'm glad my video was helpful ))
The arts shaping our thinking is definitely a theme throughout the film, but there also seems to be a recurring idea that the arts are very different from reality. Jake says 'Ta-da!' when they arrive at various locations, and I think that the stark contrast between this simple phrase and the complex monologues that draw on novels etc. is doing some work in the film.
Absolutely, and I think that's part of the whole "arts shaping our thinking" thing - if it's something that shapes our ideas, and if it doesn't reflect reality, then our ideas are disconnected from reality.
Absolutely incredible take on this movie. I love Charlie Kaufman's work and despite I really enjoyed the movie, I had a hard time focusing on what was going on and what the movie really is about. I agree 100% with your point of view. Discovered your channel just this morning and have binge watched since. Amazing work on every single video. Keep it up Marianna. Cheers from Bogotá, Colombia.
One of the best interpretations I have hear thus far, I love that brought to my attention the fact that the movie chose to include the part of "A Beautiful Mind" that is a romanticized version of reality, which basically fake reality.
Comment about suicide references Albert Camus and the existential question as to whether to continue living or not in spite of the absurdities and apparent meaninglessness of life. I did not see Camus on his bookshelf though. Your explanation makes a lot of sense and is similar to David Lynch’s “Mullholland Drive” which is about what is going through the mind of a failed actress before she commits suicide. The scene with the diner in the middle of nowhere remains a mystery.
Excellent! I’ve watched four of these explanations, and yours seems to be the most accurate. I had my own opinions of what I thought was happening, but having not read the book I needed clarity. Great job!
When they went to the ice cream shop, why did the woman have a rash that "was familiar"?
I haven't read the book! But my movie watching group and I actually took away a lot of feminist social commentary from the film. Jake's character had a lot of characteristics of societal stereotypes that we've been coming to be aware of the more we examine toxic masculinity. He's with a woman (real or not) who is smarter than him in many ways which intimidates him and highlights his own self doubts and views on his own inadequacies (never following his artistic dreams, etc.). When the stream of consciousness moments started happening in the parents' house, it almost felt like a hyperbolic representation of gaslighting. Lucy would find reality being different than she had just thought and was told that nothing was wrong. I think this can also exist at the same time as it being Jake's romanticized memories of his life and that fake relationship. Towards the end when he leaves her in the car, she has a short monologue about whether or not he could possibly be a monster and how she (and many women) are pressured into saying yes a lot in life, just to avoid the possibility of anger and backlash from men. I feel like this was also represented in the choice of Oklahoma being referenced throughout the movie as that play has a very problematic perspective on gender roles (product of it's time, meh). There were also a few other things such as Jake's timidness towards the girls in the school and at the Tulsey Town and the friendlier girl's warning to Lucy/Lucia/Louisa/Ames. I think there's also something to be said about the nature of the male perspective on the female perspective (if that makes sense) both in pop culture throughout history and still to this day. And like I said before, I think all of these things can coexist alongside all of the metaphors and symbolism that you discussed here about Jake's perspective on his own loneliness and failures and hopes and fantasies. That's one of the incredibly impressive things about this movie.
No idea how much of this was intended or if we're interpreting these things because they're things my friends and I care a lot about in life and therefore that's the perspective we get. After watching a few reviews and explainers though, I haven't seen anyone else talk about this possible side of it.
But let me just also say, the way that body language and micro aggressions were portrayed in this movie were STELLAR. I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it in that regard.
interesting, because i thought his representation of her as a feminist, rang "true" in the fact she seemed more like a jake-centric movie version of a feminist more than an actual feminist, if you follow me. a character more interested in shows of feminism and complaining about the male gaze and an old song than actually 'living feminism'.
That whole bit with the “rape song” was interesting. The movie went throughout reframing or subverting pop culture, and in a way, highlighting its traps.
There's no toxic masculinity, just masculinity. Masculinity in powerful, obnoxious and offensive. If it does if fact offend you, that means it's being done correctly.
There are, however, toxic people. This is not mutually exclusive to men.
Movie definitely should be watched after listening or reading the book. The book enhances the movie and visa versa. Loved the movie. Loved the book. Thank you for recommending the book way back when! So good!
I propose that although he of course was struggling the entire movie with suicidal ideation, he did not intend to kill himself in the car that night; it's strongly implied from the conversation at Tulsey Town and apparently more so in the book that he was cleaning the floor(s) with a varnish that may have impaired his mental capacity. In the beginning of the final scene we see him stumbling out to the truck almost as if he's drunk, which leads me to believe he may have simply passed out on accident before waking up in the confused hypothermic state.
This is EVEN MORE poetic when you consider that even this final decision of his life (committing suicide) ultimately wasn't decided by him, fitting perfectly into the theme of him unable/unwilling to pursue his dreams and goals.
Also, the final shot is particularly striking, as it mirrors the conversation with his father where it's stated "but how can a landscape alone be sad if there's no character in it to make me feel sad", when in actuality Jake IS in the scene, completely buried in the snow and dead.
I stumbled upon your channel when i was looking for a review of Sputnik. and what a pleasant surprise this was.Watched The Wailing last night because of your review and that movie made me tuck my legs inside the bed.
I liked how this film makes us think about the way we all are consuming media these days but the book is different it totally focuses on loneliness and the longing for connecting with people around us.
"What are you waiting for?"
This is by far the best take on the movie
What a fantastic movie. This movie is an experience. I'm experiencing someone' daydreaming. It's sad since daydream is what we want which means what we do not have. I cried while I watched because I saw myself with him; with so much lost potential or lost potential that I only saw in myself while I am just a pig being eaten alive.
One more down the rabbit hole. Did the dad kill Jakes dog? Is that why Jake is also terrified of the basement? We only ever see the dog shaking, soaking wet, and Jake apologizes for the smell. The smell of death? Did the dad put the dog in the washing machine in the basement to punish Jake is his childhood? What do you think?
That's dark O.o I didn't get that impression about the dog. I think the basement for more of a metaphoric place he didn't want to visit - kind of like the dark places of his memories.
@@ImpressionBlend agreed! Just figured that might be one of the dark traumatic memories he's suppressing. It made the washing machine moment really tense and suspenseful for me. I thought Lucy was going to pull out something to do with the dog.
Also, loved the parents, especially Tony Collette.😁
Great breakdown and discussion/review! I listened to the audiobook version of this when it came out, so I knew the basic premise right at the outset. I think it was transformed into a film very ably and artistically, but personally the book ending struck me as being more powerful and less ambiguous. There's nothing wrong with ambiguity, and the book leaves a lot of room for interpretation. But by foregrounding the suicide and mental illness, the book gives us very clear factual parameters within which to contemplate the mysterious nature of delusion, memory, regret, loneliness, desire and the nature of relationships/lack thereof.
Kauffman is generally interested in blurring and interrogating the appearance/reality distinction, and so he gives us an ending that is multi-dimensional. Is Jake dying while fantasizing the story? Is it a schizophrenic hallucination or a tossed salad of memory and fantasy on the part of a man who is lucid enough to know these are "what if" scenarios of his own imagination fueled by dire loneliness and despair? While the book allows us to ask similar questions, it also supplies hard limits on our interpretations. Whatever else we do/do not know, it is made plain that this is not an "iffy" suicide (i.e. maybe hypothermia, maybe less than fully deliberate suicide). We have, in the book, links to the external world through the perspective of school employees responding to the shocking and violent event of a clearly deliberate suicide. If nothing else is conspicuously real in the book, that very violent act is, thus putting everything else that has transpired in stark relief. In the movie version it's even possible to view the events metaphysically as a transition from earthly to other realms of experience while dying.
Both endings are extremely sad, and both leave viewers with much to chew on and interpret. But Kauffman's vision is more solipsistic, as if even at the end there is no hard and fast line between the subjective perspective of the character, and the perspective offered to viewers by the director. The closest we get is the snowed in car. But the details of actual events are not supplied. I would have preferred the hard and fast "to be or not to be" ending in keeping with the book. But then, I already read it and so am probably biased by that fact. Kauffman's version plays up the surrealism of the novel, and softens the contrast between the real and the merely apparent. There are no outside witnesses to vouch for what went down at the school. The viewer is thrown back on her own interpretive resources to piece what happens at the end together relying on subtle clues you mention (e.g. the car keys). At first I was a bit let down by this less specific ending, but now replaying it here, I think both versions are excellent-- just different artistic styles. (I'll admit, though, that the song from Oklahoma felt a bit overdone to me, though it fits in well with your point about Jake's experience being so heavily mediated by mass-culture/media).
I read the book first and was so excited to see the film. To be honest, the ending disappointed me. I felt that the high school scene was cut short and lacked the amount of suspense that the book provided. I also wish they had shown the brutal ending, but I understand it may have been too graphic for some people to stomach. I’m still disappointed by it, though. I watched the movie with my boyfriend who hadn’t read the book and he was completely lost. Even after I explained the ending to him, he felt lost. We both felt the ending was lacking, but maybe Kaufman’s style isn’t our own.
I enjoyed the movie up until the high school ending. I thought it was brilliantly done by the actors, editors, director, etc. I personally think the book is much better than the movie, but the random artsy ending just isn’t my style. Reading all these comments, I know I’m alone, but maybe I’ll find someone who felt the same way as me.
Considering the pig symbolism maybe part of the story is that jake was neglected by his parents and was spiritually or psychologically eaten alive and basically half-dead already as a kid growing up in that household and then they kill the pig for dinner. So maybe it felt like his parents were consuming him with their oblivious lack of empathy and cold pragmatism. Which led to a consistent sense of not being there or not being alive and not being able to relate to others as he was never nurtured or cared for. He tries to make excuses for their failures by having the gf say at least they loved you. but you can love farm animals and still fail to care for them properly by failing to heat the barn and they freeze to death or failing to check on pigs or clean the sty and they get eaten alive. its not a bad intention, its just a failure to actually take care of someone or an animal that you do genuinely love. but the results are still horrifying despite the love that may have been there.
Omg thank u so so much...really needed it...watched it yesterday, cud sleep through the night....so many questions, you answered...thank u
Just watched it, did not read book beforehand. Now that I've heard your take and kind of thought about it. It was kind of like a non horrific Jacob's Ladder I guess, but something more as well. It was definitely a good movie
I thought about many of the same ideas as I watched this movie, twice and maybe six hours apart. This is a film about how our culture doesn't just effect how we live our lives, but also how we reflect on our lives. There's so much to extract from it. I'm still unsure of who Yvonne is. Can you help me with that? Great video.
Yvonne is the character in the fake Zemeckis movie, and what's also interesting is that the same actress plays the girlfriend for a few moments in the car.
@@ImpressionBlend Can't believe I missed that even though I've seen it twice already. So much happens in the house and at the school, but the most compelling moments for me were in the car. So much to wrap your head around.
Great video. I watched it after seeing your spoiler-free review, but really didn’t get the exact details of his death. Thanks for explaining.
I absolutely adored the book, definitely one of my favorite books of all time. Brillianttly woven, original, and a deep dessertation into the human mind under the influence of loneliness and/or depression. The movie was a 9/10 for me due to some artistic choices and cuts. Overall, though, I love both of them and I'm so happy that what you explained is pretty much what I noticed as well. ❤️
Excellent breakdown as always!! Definitely makes me interested to rewatch - yaknow, when I've built my 'depressing movie tolerance' back up again :) Truly enjoyed the movie and your review, great work!!!!
Thank you so much!
Thank you for the explanations, great review
Wow, wow, wow!!! I didn’t like this movie when I first watched it. In fact, I hated it. However, after hearing your analysis of the film, my mind is blown. Now everything makes sense. Especially the title. I don’t have Netflix anymore but if I did, I would re-watch the film now. Thank you!
This movie is amazing!!! One of the best thought out movies I have ever seen... so sad,but beautiful at the same time!
Brilliant breakdown!
I'll add another comment, now that this discussion is long dead. At the very end of the movie, the car (which was alternately a truck) is covered with snow in which Jakes supposed frozen corpse resides. Then there is the sound of the vehicle's ignition starting. Only a few people seem to have noticed this sound. I have theory on why this sound was inserted. All the characters in the movies are either Jake, or composite memories of people he knew, but in this hall of mirrors of a movie the car starting sound reminds the astute viewer that Jake and all his tortured menagerie are a creation of Reid/Kaufmann. Both author and director are still alive and the ignition reminds the audience to take on more step back when asking themselves what or who is real.
Watched the movie, haven't read the book. At first I thought it was a break up story but when they got to the house I started thinking that the whole movie was taking place in the mind of an old woman with Alzheimer's or something. Her husband (Jake) is sound of mind and is basically trying to have a conversation with his wife whose mind is going away. The road trip and meeting with his parents are a memory that is significant to her for some reason which is why her mind is focussed on this setting. There's the topic of gerontology (both mentioned at dinner and represented by Jake's parents) and both Jake and the young woman were brilliant people with a wide variety of interests which is why their professions and other details are constantly shifting. The old woman has a bunch of facts in her head but she's just getting them all mixed up. Jake seems to be the only "normal" person in the house and he's obviously getting frustrated with the conversation and is correcting people, perhaps him representing him correcting his wife in the "real world" that we do not see. When they visit the ice cream store, I was thinking maybe the old woman was bringing up a memory of when Jake was unfaithful. Jake is obviously ashamed of this, as represented by him looking away when the pretty girls are serving at the counter. Then she goes to the school and it is revealed that Jake may have also been abusive (he was a creep when he met her at the bar during trivia night). I was thinking the dance sequence represented her choosing Jake over another love interest and she's expressing regret. Then... the perspective changed from her to the janitor and then I had no idea anymore haha so I watched this video. Thanks, your explanation makes more sense!
EDIT: Also, I definitely thought the movie was a stream-of-consciousness novel on film, sort of like a modern take on The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner. Except all the while I thought it was a modern take of The Sound and the Fury's chapter 1 but it turns out it's a modern take of a combination of chapters 1 AND 2 haha
This movie was so well put together
Very well done, one of the best takes. Here’s a few questions I have. The marks on the basement door. Is it possible he actually hurt someone at some point explaining the snow covered car (not his truck) at the school. Was her body in that vehicle from when he left her in the car. This also explains his early peering out of the window. My other theory, is it possible he came to the realization that it was unhealthy to hold on to these mental obsessions and ended those ideas so he could move on? Explaining why the truck was not there and since he was the janitor at the school was operating the plow
I just finished the movie and got a headache, becuase I barely understood what the hell was going on. THANK YOU SO MUCH for this video! I've never read the book but I've seen Charlie's previous 2 directorial films (and loved them), and after watching this video- I got a much better understanding of what it is. I'll watch it again in the future and hopefully I'll be able to enjoy it and pick up on subtle details
Thank you! I'm glad my video was helpful :D
This movie made me think about the parallels in my own life, and how my life would have been different if I had stayed in my home town and worked the family farm in Pennsylvania, instead of moving to San Francisco and taking my own path, but how much of life is my own path, or just choosing different influences in my life as a rejection of my Republican parents who have a TV blaring advertising in every room, mostly stuck on the 24 hour Fox News cycle or an endless and mindless stream of commercial network television. I started thinking about all the different types of life I could have lived, if I had chosen to stay with relationships, or not, stay with jobs or not, become friends with people or not, go to Burning Man or not, take an acting class or not, a hike/camping trip or not, take a writing class or not, moved or not, all the little decisions made that shape one's life. I feel grateful for my current life with my loving and creative wife, and my creative plans for the future. The character in the movie ruminating on his life regrets things he did not do, I tend to regret things I do, sometimes I wish I would have made different choices in hindsight, but I have always been seeking more and willing to take the risk and consequences, sometimes things don't go as well I hoped and I am filled with regret, but it's really fascinating to think about alternate realities, and also realize that I need to take control of my life, or it will be shaped for me by outside influences. I will be watching this movie again, and maybe listen to the audible version of the book. Thank you for making this video!
I read this book because of you months ago now and maaaan, it was such a riiiidddeee. I'll go check out the movie.
1. Forget the book. 2. He's a serial killer. He murdered at least 6 girls. 1 A waitress named Louisa. 2 A physics student. 3 an art student. 4 A film student. 5 and 6 The two girls at the Tulsey town from the 60s and the one girl at the Tulsi Town from the 80s. He murdered young women over 2 decades. That makes 7. Look at the logo. What happened to Little Red Riding Hood?
Read book and watching movie now. I do not remember if the book ever explained Lucy's phone weirdness, calls, etc. Did it?
This is a really good explanation!
Having not read the book, I would say that to me it wasn't super clear that there was a suicide involved. I got all the stuff about Jake being the janitor and the woman not being real, etc, but when he was in the truck taking his clothes off, it kinda seemed like he was having a heart attack or something. But I guess I just don't have enough knowledge of freezing to death to understand what was happening there lol
I think it's open to interpretation, and I thought the same as you on my first viewing. However, when I rewatched it - the specifics of the situation stood out more to me.
Wow. Great breakdown of the film and the book. I watched the movie first and then read the book. The book is less ambiguous than the film, but perhaps that is because I already had an inkling to what was going on?! The book has an amazing ability to make you feel rising tension and the movie conveys that just as well. Thanks for the great explanations and video. 😃✌🏽
Brilliant summary of the film , thank you for posting , did u stay after the credits to hear the ignition start ?
The audiobook is awesome too!
15 minutes ago, I hadn't heard of either the movie or the book. All I know about either is what I saw in this video. But offhand, it sounds like the story of my so-called life.
Excellent analysis.
Meth Damon is Jake!? I have to watch now.
If you’re thinking of reading the book I highly recommend the audio book for the ending alone
Awesome review!
Thank you!
this is an amazing explanation thank you
Wow! That was a great video! Thank you!
I was wondering how the feminist themes of the film relate to the book. It seemed more feminist than the other Kaufmann movies, even if some of them already have feminist elements. My guess would be that the book is probably more explicitly feminist and more on the side of the young woman and critical of the way the guy is influenced by patriarchal societal views, even if he is aware of that to some extent. It's definetly a big and one of the most interesting parts of it not mentioned in this video.
Not really. The book doesn't have much to do with femisim or anything related to that. The movie just added feminism and other things, but there is nothing much in the book. And that movie sucked. I loved the book so much, but the movie disappointed me too much. The girlfriend's point of view in the book is more about observation of Jake as a human being and nothing much to do with patriarchy or him being influenced by it. The movie was critical of Jake. But Jake in the book reveals his irrational fears, fear of socializing, his extreme loneliness, insecurities about his appearances, his ticks/habits, anxiety about meeting and talking to people etc.
There is a sentence in the book that says that we might learn about others through observation. She is observing Jake and her surroundings and at the same time we as the readers are observing her, him, the custodian and other people and also the surroundings. We see how similar they are to each other the more we observe them throughout the book.
Spoiler: The book is more about a person who has reached his limit after suffering so much from loneliness (that he literally lived in his head most of time with imaginary characters), and some kind of mental illness and physical illnesses with no one by his side and therefore, he decided to end things before doing one last thing.
can't believe i got the movie right! these were my exact take aways after watching once :)
maybe i should read the book, i think
It kiiiiills me that you and Spooky astronauts posted two videos about the film AND book and included spoilers. My book only arrives in 2 weeks....patience is a virtue
Haha you can do it ))) It will be worth the wait!
Great commentary. Kudos