‘Anomalisa’ Review
After wowing audiences abroad Anomalisa will finally make its eagerly anticipated way to UK cinemas this month. Directed by Charlie Kaufman and Duke Johnson, the film tells the tale of Michael Stone, a motivational speaker without motivation finding himself in a self-imposed crisis that is seemingly relieved by the meeting of Lisa, an ordinary woman who brings the extraordinary back into his otherwise monotonous existence.
This stop-motion film has been treated by some branches of the press and in its reviews as a revelation, bringing something to cinema that most audiences did not think was possible from animated films. That isn’t the case, animated cinema particularly in its short form, has proven its unlimited possibilities time and again. However as I will review this film from an animation perspective that doesn’t detract from its achievements as either an animated work or as a piece of cinematic storytelling, this film excels on all levels.
The models and sets used in this film are beautiful. The puppets themselves take advantage of the 3D printed faces, boldly keeping the visible lines that connect certain parts of the face which studios such as Aardman and Laika remove in post. I’ll admit this was distracting at first but quickly became quite charming as I grew comfortable with it’s appearance only becoming aware of it again when it became relevant in the story. The faces are quite realistic and certain parts of the film demonstrate some of the finest animated acting that has been screened using this technique, as Michael’s eyebrows furrow when he is on the phone to his wife Donna, I am quickly reminded that I’m watching something of great achievement.
The majority of the character animation is well done. It’s subtle and relies on the characters facial expressions which are a fantastic match for the voice artists work. David Thewlis does a superb job as Michael Stone, giving a performance as the troubled Michael that many of us in the UK will relate to as our protagonist finds himself tied to a hotel with an intense customer service ethos. The story quickly grows from Michael’s uncomfortable surroundings and as he is a customer service guru we feel he is in a trap of his own making as he is confronted with helpful but not so helpful receptionists, taxi drivers and bellboys who annoy Michael with their uniform eagerness to please him.
(L-R) David Thewlis voices Michael Stone and Tom Noonan voices desk clerk in the animated stop-motion film Anomalisa (Paramount Pictures)
This uniformity is by design as all characters apart from Lisa and Michael are performed by Tom Noonan and the large cast of supporting puppets all share the same voice and face increasing the claustrophobic trap Michael finds himself in. This high concept is a clear director hallmark from Charlie Kaufman this devise is used to great effect as Michael’s tension builds with his homogeneous surroundings. The name of the hotel The Fregoli, is a nice easter egg to psychiatrists recognizing the name from Fregoli syndrome, where individuals believe all those around them to be the same person.
Before Michael can succumb to the destructive path the clones that surround him lead him down, Lisa enters the story. Lisa (voiced by Jennifer Jason Leigh) arrives as a soothing balm to Michael’s problems. Michael’s whirlwind obsession with Lisa escalates alongside Michael’s condition but before it does Lisa and Michael get to share some tender, if not awkward moments alone together.
Michael and Lisa’s relationship is the perfect metaphor for love, obsession and the longing to break free from monotony and share something unique with another soul. This film recreates the euphoric highs and the catastrophic personal lows that a fixation to succeed in the quest to find someone unique can lead to.
David Thewlis voices Michael Stone and Jennifer Jason Leigh voices Lisa Hesselman in the animated stop-motion film Anomalisa (Paramount Pictures)
Anomalisa was created through Kickstarter so Kauffman and Johnson could evade the controlling nature of Hollywood and craft something pure. There should be no doubt after watching that that goal has been achieved, but whether this film will change that way animated features are made or indeed viewed by a wider audience in future we have yet to see.
Anomalisa proves that animation, when used correctly, is the perfect vessel for stories and ideas that cannot be expressed through basic live action. Yes, I’m sure a version of this film could have been achieved using VFX but the sheer joy of Anomalisa is in the details present in the movement of the puppets, the voice performance of the actors and the vision of the directors which are the heart and soul of this cinematic anomaly.
Anomalisa is out in UK cinemas March 11th