Any films directed or written by Charlie Kaufman can send you on a journey of introspection. They are often very bizarre and may seem like one of those cheap films cashing on twists and non-linear story-lines or time travel concepts — but Kaufman has enough substances and philosophical punch to back his alleged craziness up.
I've been a fan of Kaufman's writing for a long time now. He's better at writing than at directing. But I'm Thinking of Ending Things is a competent work based on a book by Iain Reid.

In the beginning, we follow a young woman, Lucy, in a car with her boyfriend, Jake. They have been together for 6 weeks now and she's thinking about breaking the relationship. But they are going to meet Jake's parents. A pretty big step for a relationship with no future, eh?

At his parent's abode, things start to shape (or unshape) in a unique way. Jake's parents doze in and out of their older and newer versions, Lucy finds herself intertwined with Jake's being, quite literally. Seemed whacky, but interesting enough.

Those of you have seen the film, you know there are no holding hands here. Kaufman does not explain the extraordinary aspects and things that happen in the story. Any interpretation of the film will be highly subjective and I actually enjoy this ambiguity.

One thing is pretty clear though. Each and every character are entirely detached from another. Perhaps this is why the film reminded me of the Being Human Trilogy by Roy Andersson. The characters of this Kaufman film are suffering from the same disease, that is — functioning and being alive as a human being.

Before you roll your eyes convinced of such hideous hippiness — think again. Don't you feel tired in your shoes? Unable to express yourself to others properly and being misjudged and misunderstood always? No, it's not just you. Let me break it to you, you're nothing special. You're as miserable as the rest of us. Welcome to the face of humanity! All of us are unable to communicate properly, none of us can handle the pressure of civilization and all the nuances it comes with.

I have a theory about what the story implied with people with their different versions, past and present. In society, we have a general idea of what is expected of us and we try to act accordingly. Failing often, still we go on. Perhaps the film wants to suggest that our roles do not change with time, only our perception changes. I don't necessarily agree with that though.

I have to praise the frames, they are quite articulated and charming to look at. The bleak worldview the film wants to portray is materialized through complementing cinematography.

What about the debate over Casssavete's A woman under the influence and the Nobel prize-winning scene entirely reenacted with dialogues intact from A Beautiful Mind? To be honest, I have no idea what functions these played in the narrative (I don't look up 'explanations') or whether they are there to pay homage to them or Kaufman being Kaufman — but I did enjoy seeing them.

Source

I know of Jesse Plemmons, have seen him acting in a few films. He's pretty good. But the performance of Jessie Buckley as Lucy made me look up her online. It'd be nice to see her in different roles.

I can see this film will be talked over for the years to come and cinephiles ain't letting it go anytime soon and can't say they're in the wrong.

---

Thanks for stopping by. :)