The action cuts back and forth between these two completely different stories, but to say any more about the plot would ruin the enjoyment of the film - and it is very enjoyable. Matsumoto has set up a fantastically creative stage for him to show off his comedic skills and is quite brilliant - using mime, slapstick and an endless selection of seemingly random household objects to vent the confusion and frustrations of his character and his bizarre situation. The audience must share in his increasing exasperation, given no more information than he and invited to solve the riddle with him. But the payoff is hugely rewarding and surprisingly profound, especially for a film with a healthy predilection for fart gags.
As with Matsumoto's previous film DAI NIPPONJIN (BIG MAN JAPAN), SYMBOL blends the mundane with the surreal to winning effect. Visually, the contrasting colour schemes of the two stories - the earthy tones of the Mexican wilderness juxtaposed against the unnatural, blemish-free, CG-enhanced environment of the man's cell - perfectly underscore the tonal differences between the two worlds. Matsumoto also knows exactly when enough is enough, judging just how long to let each joke run before nipping it in the bud and moving on to the next sequence, ensuring that even when the audience is not entirely sure what is going on, we never lose interest. There is plenty more to discuss regarding SYMBOL and when all is revealed it provokes a fascinating debate that will easily continue past the lobby and on into the pub afterwards, but the less you know going in, the better, suffice to say it is totally unique, unexpectedly smart and very very funny.
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Nice review, James!
I caught Symbol in the Rotterdam Film Festival, and for me it was the "best of the fest" this year.
This prompts me to finish my own review, fast!
I urge everyone to go see it in a cinema with good viseo and even better audio. The last twenty minutes especially are a trip on the level of "2001: A Space Odyssey", and I dare say that with a straight face.
Note to anyone curious about this film and living in the Netherlands: in a few weeks time this will be shown in the "Imagine" festival in Amsterdam...
This is a very funny movie but more importantly the smartest movie I have seen in ages. My fellow coworker, who also saw the movie, and I can not stop discussing this movie.
I urge everyone to watch this film.
The ending makes no sense at all and doesn't mean a damn thing. I was expecting some big payoff based on all the reviews, but instead I was left with nothing. The connection between the two storylines is completely nonsensical and arbitrary as well. Matsumoto's acting was also some of the worst I have seen in a long time.
It's telling that nobody has stepped up to offer their own explanation for the ending. They only vaguely talk about how "meaningful" and "smart" it is and name drop 2001. This makes them seem smart without requiring them to actually say anything.