Psychologist Yoel Inbar joins the hosts for a deep dive into Charlie Kaufman's film 'I'm Thinking of Ending Things.' They explore the baffling elements of the movie, such as the changing names and career of the protagonist, the mysterious dog, and the parents' unstuck timeline. The podcast also touches on topics like aliens, open science, and the illuminati.
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Quick takeaways
The film 'I'm Thinking of Ending Things' explores themes of loneliness and despair through its surreal and unsettling nature.
The car scene between the main characters in the film evokes tension and a sense of unease, with unreliable narration and anticipation of the boyfriend's words.
The film delves into the themes of regret, missed opportunities, and loneliness through the janitor's fantasy and his aging parents' conversations.
The farmhouse scene in the film creates an unsettling atmosphere through elements like the basement, lighting, and changing colors, focusing on emotional and thematic elements.
Deep dives
Introduction and Initial Impressions
The podcast episode discusses the film 'I'm Thinking of Ending Things' and provides initial reactions. The speakers express mixed feelings at first but state that the film grows more compelling upon further reflection. The surreal and unsettling nature of the movie is highlighted, along with its themes of loneliness and despair. Despite the confusion surrounding the plot, the individual scenes are praised for their effectiveness in evoking emotions and creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
The Car Scene and Unreliable Narration
The car scene between the main characters is discussed, noting the tension and the unusual conversations. The unreliable narration is highlighted, with the protagonist's thoughts being interrupted by her boyfriend and her anticipation of his words. The constant sense of unease and anticipation is described, with the driving scenes adding to the disorientation. The changing professions of the main character are mentioned, but their significance is left open to interpretation.
The Janitor's Fantasy and Themes of Regret
The podcast delves into the revelation that the film is the janitor's fantasy, sparked by seeing a girl at a trivia night. The discussion centers around the themes of regret, missed opportunities, and loneliness. The portrayal of the janitor's aging parents and their conversations about their son's life are described as both hilarious and desperately sad. The janitor's inability to construct a relationship where someone truly loves him is highlighted, adding to the film's deep sense of melancholy.
The Farmhouse and Dreamlike Atmosphere
The podcast examines the farmhouse scene and its unsettling elements, including the basement and the scratched-up door. The dreamlike atmosphere is emphasized, particularly the lighting, which evokes a sense of discomfort and reflects the speaker's personal nightmares. The changing colors of the protagonist's clothing and the presence of the dog are also noted. The podcast discusses the filmmaker's skill in creating tension and discomfort without relying on a traditional plot twist or mystery, allowing the focus to be on the emotional and thematic elements of the film.
The Movie's Unsettling Atmosphere
The podcast episode explores how the movie creates an uncanny and unsettling atmosphere through various details. The speaker mentions the effectiveness of little details like a shot of the dad's foot and spilled ice cream, which contribute to the overall feeling of unease and anxiety.
The Mysterious Phone Calls
One main point of discussion in the podcast is the mysterious phone calls the protagonist receives from herself. The speaker mentions that the constantly changing name in the phone calls and the repeated urgency of 'now' create an anxiety-inducing atmosphere, uncovering a clue that something strange is happening.
Exploring Aging and Memories
The podcast delves into the themes of aging and memories portrayed in the film. It highlights the surreal depiction of the protagonist's parents aging, dying, and then getting younger again. The speaker reflects on how these scenes evoke emotions related to the process of aging and the bittersweetness of memories.
The Notion of Reality and Projection
The podcast touches upon the idea of reality and projection in the film. The speaker mentions the ambiguous nature of the protagonist's creations, as she is influenced by the janitor's thoughts and desires. The discussion explores the concept of identity and the blurred lines between what is real and what is a construct of the janitor's imagination.
The psychologist Yoel Inbar has always tried to imbue his work with a sort of interiority, and now he joins us for a deep dive into Charlie Kaufman’s baffling and distressing new film “I’m Thinking of Ending Things.” Why does Jessie Buckley’s name and career keep changing? What’s going on with the dog? Why are the parents unstuck in time? Don’t worry you’ll get home, we have tire chains in the trunk. Plus, aliens, open science, and the illuminati. It’s all connected.
