I agree, that's the 1 thing that annoyed me in an otherwise fantastic film. All 3 main characters were pretty deplorable (the worst by far being Craig) so I think a perfect ending would've been if they all took their lumps. Instead Craig was the only one who really lost out, and you're left feeling like the story was a morality play centered only around him. It is, I think. After seeing other films written by Charlie Kaufman, I realize he focuses on the mistakes of 1 character and leaves everyone else in the periphery, whether they're "good" or "bad" doesn't really matter as much as how they influence the 1 main character. Sort of a Dante's Inferno kind of thing I guess. But it's still a little annoying because I was really hating the Maxine character by the end of the movie. Great film regardless.

@rooprect said:

I agree, that's the 1 thing that annoyed me in an otherwise fantastic film. All 3 main characters were pretty deplorable (the worst by far being Craig) so I think a perfect ending would've been if they all took their lumps. Instead Craig was the only one who really lost out, and you're left feeling like the story was a morality play centered only around him. It is, I think. After seeing other films written by Charlie Kaufman, I realize he focuses on the mistakes of 1 character and leaves everyone else in the periphery, whether they're "good" or "bad" doesn't really matter as much as how they influence the 1 main character. Sort of a Dante's Inferno kind of thing I guess. But it's still a little annoying because I was really hating the Maxine character by the end of the movie. Great film regardless.

What the heck happened to Kaufmann? I remember be thoroughly impressed with his stuff in the early 2000a and then he just sorta, disappeared. If Hollywood had 20 Kaufmann's working today they could get a golden days revival going. Excellent writer. Loved Eternal Sunshine as well.

@movie_nazi said:

@rooprect said:

I agree, that's the 1 thing that annoyed me in an otherwise fantastic film. All 3 main characters were pretty deplorable (the worst by far being Craig) so I think a perfect ending would've been if they all took their lumps. Instead Craig was the only one who really lost out, and you're left feeling like the story was a morality play centered only around him. It is, I think. After seeing other films written by Charlie Kaufman, I realize he focuses on the mistakes of 1 character and leaves everyone else in the periphery, whether they're "good" or "bad" doesn't really matter as much as how they influence the 1 main character. Sort of a Dante's Inferno kind of thing I guess. But it's still a little annoying because I was really hating the Maxine character by the end of the movie. Great film regardless.

What the heck happened to Kaufmann? I remember be thoroughly impressed with his stuff in the early 2000a and then he just sorta, disappeared. If Hollywood had 20 Kaufmann's working today they could get a golden days revival going. Excellent writer. Loved Eternal Sunshine as well.

For real, he came outta the gate charging. Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Eternal Sunshine & Synecdoche were all great films and like you said they could've kick started a new golden age along with his collaborators Spike Jonze & Gondry. I have no idea what happened except maybe the superhero fad happened and the studio suits decided to throw Hollywood's money in that direction instead. All 3 of those guys kinda disappeared around that time :/