This was a little too out there for me, but I really liked what it was trying to say and there are quite a few clever and hilarious moments. It also feels like the kind of movie that will grow on me with some reflection. The animation is gorgeous and the voice work from all three actors is fantastic. It also has a really lovely score. B

Probably my favorite film of 2015. An ode to the power of human connection and hope, but also the sadness of losing the ability to appreciate things/depression. The second great film about emotional health this year. It is beautifully animated and because of the unique way the film uses voices, David Thewlis, Jennifer Jason Leigh and and Tom Noonan's work is exceptional, especially JJL. I felt like the whole film chose its scenes with a purpose.

Charlie Kaufman, the mad and magnificent mind behind the twin Nicolas Cages of Adaptation. and the memory-erasure intricacy of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, contemplates existential dread and romantic trepidation with stop-motion puppetry, and the result is as singular as one could hope for. Protagonist Michael Stone (voiced with abrasive charisma by David Thewlis) is a British self-improvement author whose writing has earned him considerable fame, but done nothing to alleviate his anger, boredom, and frustration. As the film begins, he has flown from L.A. to Cincinnati to deliver a paid speech at a seminar. As he navigates the airport, hails a taxi, and explores his posh hotel, we realize the rest of the population has fused into one for our protagonist: they have the same empty face and anonymous male voice. This is one of several beautiful, haunting, and entirely peculiar details in this film, and it is why Stone is instantly drawn toward Lisa, an acutely shy customer-service representative with a distinctive face and a gentle voice provided by Jennifer Jason Leigh. But for this veteran misanthrope, instantaneous desire is easy and the predictability of close acquaintance and domesticity is disastrous. This dynamic results not only in piercing drama, but also observational hilarity. And the animation style, in turn otherworldly and almost realistic, provides a whimsical lens through which to view the cyclical and self-defeating human condition.

A

Unlike most other Kaufman-scriped films, this just didn't click as well with me. There are several moments of brillance, but the whole thing didn't do much for me.

Anomalisa

I kind of love it and hate it. The elitists will obviously adore it (as if us commoners could even begin to understand the importance of such a masterpiece). But it's Charlie Kaufmann, and I hardly associate him with quality. I wasn't expecting it to be a run-of-the-mill snapshot of a middle-aged, married man's life, and it didn't disappoint. For presentation, it's fantastic. The animation is fresh is creative, and I do appreciate such a rarity as a mature animated film. I also really liked how it presents certain aspects (such as what the 'one-face' represents), but not only does the film drag (and it's only 90 minutes) it doesn't work simply because I never felt anything at any stage of the film apart from a weird curiosity. So, all in all, neat and clever, but unengaging.

C+

Quite an interesting film that lingers days after you see it. It is incredibly well made.

Even though Anamalisa is darkly fascinating, I just did find her all that compelling. The animation is well suited to the tragic story and the voicework is an entire theme in itself. I wish I could have been swept away by Anomalisa, but I'll have to settle with admiring her from afar. *B*

It's good. And there ain't much more that can be said about it. I definitely can see this working better as a play though. The animation is wonderful.

***1/2 / ***** (B-)

I wasn't able to connect to the story and being animated doesn't help the movie in anyways but its a bold medium to present. For a dark/adult matter Chico and Rito still stays as the best recent animated movie. Its a decent movie but nothing memorable as it tries to be.

5/10

Haven't seen that one, but Mary & Max is brilliant dark/adult animated movie.

I haven't watched Mary & Max but its in my watch list. Thanks for the recommendation, I'll watch it soon.