Synecdoche, New York

Synecdoche, New York

Year: 2008

Runtime: 124 min

Language: English

Director: Charlie Kaufman

DramaComedy

Caden Cotard, a theater director grappling with personal and professional struggles, begins an ambitious project to construct a meticulously detailed replica of New York City within a warehouse. He populates this miniature world with actors portraying people from his own life, blurring the lines between reality and performance. As Caden delves deeper into his creation, he confronts his own mortality and the complexities of human relationships, exploring themes of existence, loss, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.

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Timeline – Synecdoche, New York (2008)

Trace every key event in Synecdoche, New York (2008) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Caden's Struggles

Theater director Caden Cotard begins to feel the weight of various physical ailments that contribute to his growing isolation from his wife, Adele. As he deals with his health, tensions rise in their relationship, foreshadowing heartache ahead.

2

Adele's Departure

Adele decides to leave Caden for a new life in Berlin, taking their four-year-old daughter, Olive, with her. This decision deeply impacts Caden, leaving him feeling abandoned and adrift in an unraveling world.

Berlin
3

MacArthur Fellowship Award

Following the acclaim of his production of *Death of a Salesman*, Caden is surprised to receive a MacArthur Fellowship. This accolade grants him financial freedom, allowing him to pursue his artistic interpretations more boldly.

4

Creation of the Artistic Piece

Driven by the desire to create something raw and honest, Caden begins assembling a diverse ensemble cast. They are tasked to live out their roles in a large warehouse in Manhattan's Theater District, reflecting the life outside.

Manhattan Theater District
5

Adele's Success in Berlin

While Caden immerses himself in his work, he learns that Adele has achieved recognition as a painter in Berlin. This realization intensifies his sense of loss and bitterness as he watches his family thrive without him.

Berlin
6

Romantic Turbulence

Caden experiences an unsuccessful romantic encounter with Hazel, the box office attendant, which adds to his emotional turmoil. Despite the lack of connection, he later marries Claire, a member of his cast.

7

Claire's Marriage

Caden's marriage to Claire produces a daughter, yet their relationship soon deteriorates. The struggle between his obligations to work, family, and his health creates a rift that seems insurmountable.

8

Caden's Ailment

An unidentified ailment begins to afflict Caden, progressively affecting his autonomic nervous system. This deterioration serves as a metaphor for the chaos both in his life and the production itself.

9

Warehouse Sophistication

The warehouse where Caden works transforms into a sanctuary, becoming more disconnected from the crumbling world outside. Caden dives deeper into his artistic creation, blurring the lines between performance and reality.

Warehouse
10

Sammy's Turmoil

Sammy Barnathan, an actor fixated on Caden, is cast to play him in the production. Sammy's obsession not only complicates Caden's life but rekindles feelings in Hazel, leading to personal tragedies.

11

Hazel's Tragedy

Just as Caden and Hazel find comfort in one another, tragedy strikes when Hazel dies from smoke inhalation in her constantly burning house. This loss plunges Caden into deeper grief and confusion about his choices.

12

Caden's Transformation

Caden relinquishes his directing role, allowing an actress to lead the play while he assumes her previous position as Ellen's caregiver. He spends his days in a replica of Adele's apartment, signifying a retreat from reality.

Replicated apartment
13

Devastation in the Warehouse

As Caden immerses himself in the new creative process, the warehouse becomes a scene of chaos with unexpected disasters and casualties. This shifting atmosphere reflects Caden's deteriorating mental state and the unraveling of his world.

Warehouse
14

Confrontation with Mortality

Eventually, Caden confronts his mortality, resting his head on the shoulder of an actress who played Ellen’s mother. This moment symbolizes his acceptance of the end while he shares his final vision for the play.

15

The Final Cue

As Caden begins to communicate his artistic vision, he is interrupted by the director's command. This final cue, simply to 'Die,' encapsulates the culmination of Caden's journey—a direct confrontation with the end of his path.

Last Updated: November 15, 2024 at 17:46

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Synecdoche, New York

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