outstanding and original premise, less-than-perfect resolution - still unusually captivating

Rating: 9/10 (22 June 2003)

Like other screenplays by Charlie Kaufman (e.g.: Adaptation), this movie has an excellent premise, the intriguing idea alone of which is enough to hold the viewer captive for about 2/3rds of the movie.
Though some other viewers seem to think the over-the-top plot is too far-fetched and nonsensical to be believable enough to hold ongoing interest, i disagree. i have seen the movie 3 times, and indeed, the details all make sense. However - i qualify this praise by saying the accelerating weave of turmoil that takes place about 2/3rds the way through the movie does begin to get a little tedious - one wishes Kaufman would have stuck to the simplistic beauty of the original idea without getting so hallucinogenic. 1 or 2 subplots is enough, not 5 or 6. And the cinematic reference to "Rosemary's Baby" is cute, but totally unnecessary.
That being said, i still gave the movie a 9 rating for the originality and interest of the idea alone, and the excellent casting and production techniques. This movie far surpasses Kaufman's "Adaptation", (which simply falls apart because of it's over-reliance on the "cleverness" factor.)