"Anomalisa" (2015)

Whatever you say about Charlie "Eternal Sunshine" Kaufman, I don't think you could ever say he doesn't mine neurosis for comedy. This movie is brilliant in that matter. If you're looking for plot, forget it. The movie is a massively skilled study in mannerisms and behaviors. Things like...how we interact with people at hotels. A transient stop-off for many faceless, voiceless strangers. Kaufman has cornered the market on the little human ticks and idiosyncrasies that make us interesting. Or flat out boring and banal. Whatever it is, it's fascinating.

Actor David Thewlis voices Michael Stone, a celebrated customer service speaker (?) who is dumped off in Cincinnati, OH to give a speech. He's clearly troubled by some relationship he's left. He hears the voice of everyone that is also...um...the same. He apparently suffers from a condition where faces all look the same. And that there's a paranoia to the conspiracy. Their voices also sound the same. Men, women, children...they all sound the same. This is all voiced by Tom Noonan. In a very odd taken back moment, we hear everyone's voice is the same, except with a few inflections. Stone is desperately searching for...a less lonely feeling. Which is when he runs into Lisa (voiced by the endearing back-to-Ridgemont High Jennifer Jason Leigh). She has the voice of a woman. Though physically unattractive, she is at the very least...different to him. As he starts getting closer to her, there is a jeopardy of her fading into the faceless society as well. It's not faceless, rather...similar. Clearly he's in love with this woman who seems to have broken the mold. Anyone who's ever had online relationships through phone calls understands this distance yet closeness to people who we relate to on the cerebral level but never in a million years would sense true animal attraction. But she's a sweet girl who has her own dark past. Never mind that. She is a kind hearted person which life has dealt her terrible luck.

The mannerisms of this movie are amazing. Details are what makes this movie. Though it seems to derail a bit at the end, and most likely will leave some emotionally hollow, the ride to the end is a solid jaunt. I love the sensibility of this movie. If someone's affliction makes you feel less lonely in your own pain, I think it accomplishes at the very least, that.