I've never actually liked Charlie Kaufman's work and his ambitious, impenetrable and surreal directorial debut, Synecdoche New York, soes nothing to change that fact. While I acknowledge his creativity and I appreciate the intellectualism and vision he brings to American cinema, I don't enjoy watching his films at all. There's something fundamentally unpleasant to me about his work. I don't connect with it at all, so it's usually a chore to work my way through his films.

Such was the case here. On paper I should have enjoyed this sprawling, surreal film, but in reality I was clock watching one-third of the way through. And what I saw sure didn't please me. This film plays significantly longer than its two hour running time. It's like watching acid slowly burn through a beautiful painting- ponderous and ugly.

I won't waste any more time on the film than that. If you're a fan of his work, then by all means check this film out. If, like me, you don't find his work appealing, steer clear.