I'm Thinking of Ending Things Reviews

Writer/director Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich) brings Iain Reid's I'm Thinking of Ending Things to colorful, stylistic life. Unfortunately, the fine acting and scenery cannot save this somnambulant story from its lack of direction.A young woman (Jessie Buckley) reluctantly travels with her boyfriend Jake (Jesse Plemons) to meet his parents at their rural home. As she begins to recount to his father (David Thewlis) and mother (Toni Collette) how she and Jake met, she internally starts to question everything about her reality. When they get on the road for the return trip, that reality seems to change with each passing mile, becoming hazier with the increasing blizzard outside.Kaufman had his work cut out for him with a story that is both disjointed and incredibly slow-moving. While the 135-minute script might be required to tell the entire tale, it does seem drawn out and unnecessary. The unfortunate thing is that there is little there that doesn't belong, but almost all of it is as boring as the thoughts in one's mind; and often more disconnected. Worse, by the end of the film, there isn't any revelation. The tale does lead to some speculation as to what is transpiring, but there is never the slightest indication that the viewer might be right. There is no payoff to the investment of time for the audience.The best feature of the film is watching the four leads test the limits of their abilities. Buckley and Plemons do incredibly well as a couple both connected to and disconnected from each other. Collette and Thewlis are marvelous as the parents, quirky and awkward with this girl who already feels uncomfortable even to be there. In fact, all four perform too well, taking the viewer into the very private world of four strangers. The whole affair is like watching party guests argue in front of you. This is a testament to the performers, but it does not improve the awkwardness of the narrative.There is a lot of subtle imagery and many intentionally framed camera shots and angles. The carefully selected music and poetry in the story match the moods of the characters perfectly. It is clear that Kaufman had intent, but that intent never crystallizes for the audience to understand it from the other side of the lens.I'm Thinking of Ending Things is a marvel of setting, art direction, and acting wrapped around more than two hours of nonsense. It would have been better served if someone had just thought of an ending at all.