Anomalisa: A Haunting Complexion of the Human Spirit

​A thought-provoking tale of one man’s loneliness crafted through the hands of stop-motion. This is Anomalisa. 

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Anomalisa is a melancholy film from the visionary mind of Charlie Kaufman (Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind and Adaptation), who will keep your brain spinning as we visit a night in the life of Michael Stone (voiced by David Thewlis), a motivational speaker. Anomalisa is Kaufman’s most heartbreaking film to-date as viewer's dig deep into this existential movie affair.

The story is simple: a man, Michael, struggles with his inability to connect with other people, but it’s message blossoms into a bigger picture. It’s a haunting fable on the illusion of love and consequences, making it one of the best films of 2015. It finds an adult story and achieves its vision through animation. Michael is going through the motions of life by hearing the same voice over and over again in his head (that poignant voice being Tom Noonan).

That is, until he meets Lisa (voiced by Jennifer Jason Leigh), a sales rep who worships Michael's very being. Something sparks between them and the story thickens. But will this candle of love last between the two? Or will Michael’s resentment and recrimination hinder that very existence? You’ll have to find out for yourself. During my screening an elderly couple walked out because it wasn’t their cup of tea.

​Warning, this film is for fans of introspective cinema only and not ones who stay in their conservative bubble. In a world full of masked people, Anomalisa unveils the fakes. This provocative stop-motion tale of human intimacy will stump you and mess with your psyche. Anomalisa, in retrospective, is one of the most humane films of the year and it doesn’t star a single human. 

Anomalisa is rated R (Restricted). For strong sexual content, graphic nudity and language.