Charlie Kaufman is unquestionably one of the most talented writers working today. His screenplays have brought storytelling to new horizons, and he is never agape to break the rules. While some of his stories, like Confessions of a Unsafe Heed, are more conventional, nigh of his scripts are surreal, mind-blowing, and dream-like. As a writer, Kaufman is never afraid to take risks. His unconventional methods are seldom seen in Hollywood, and Kaufman has demonstrated over and over once more his sheer capabilities. His career has evolved throughout the years, and now Kaufman is also an acclaimed manager, nearly recently directing I'one thousand Thinking of Ending Things for Netflix.

Kaufman was born in New York City and had a stiff passion for the arts from a very young age. He studied film at New York University where he met his frequent collaborator, Paul Proch. Upon graduating, Kaufman wrote articles for National Lampoon while trying to sell his screenplays. After receiving recognition for ane of his scripts, Kaufman moved to Los Angeles, where he wrote for several television shows including Seinfeld and The Larry Sanders Show. Kaufman received success and recognition with his acclaimed screenplay Being John Malkovich, for which he earned an Academy Award nomination. Since so, Kaufman has become an industry leader and has written and directed several memorable films. Let's take a look at all of his movies, ranked.

8 Man Nature

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Fine Line Features

Kaufman wrote the 2001 one-act-drama, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Michel Gondry. The story follows a love triangle after a scientist (Tim Robbins) and a naturalist (Patricia Arquette) find Puff (Rhys Ifans), a human who was born and raised in the wild. The highly original motion-picture show explores many themes including emotional behavior, freedom, and what it ways to be human. The combination of Kaufman'southward writing and Gondry's direction makes for an creative and thought-provoking film. The performances, near notably Ifans', are all on-point, and the film is a good blend of comedy and drama. Although Human Nature received mixed reviews, it marked the get-go of professional person collaboration between Gondry and Kaufman who would go on to work together again in the time to come.

7 Confessions Of A Unsafe Mind

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Miramax Films

Confessions of a Unsafe Mind tells the story of a boob tube producer, Chuck Barris (Sam Rockwell), who is recruited by the C.I.A. and trained to become an assassin. The film is a comedic look into the television industry, while also showing the ruthless killing and violence that goes along with becoming an assassinator for the C.I.A. The motion picture features a strong functioning from Rockwell who incorporates drama and comedy from kickoff to finish. The picture proved George Clooney's capabilities as a director and the picture show has an A-list cast including Clooney, Julia Roberts, and Drew Barrymore. Kaufman's dialogue is abrupt, and the film is a fun, wild ride showcasing an entertaining story and stiff performances.

6 I'thou Thinking Of Ending Things

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Netflix

Kaufman directed and wrote the screenplay for I'chiliad Thinking of Ending Things , adapted from the acclaimed novel of the same proper noun. The surreal pic follows a young woman (Jessie Buckley), who embarks on a road trip with her boyfriend (Jesse Plemons) to run across his parents. After getting to their house, she is catapulted into a surreal and physiological odyssey. At the aforementioned fourth dimension, the motion picture follows a janitor (Guy Boyd) working at a highschool. Kaufman adapted the fabric and once over again proved his capabilities equally a managing director. The story creates psychological suspense and by the fourth dimension it's over, your listen will surely be blown. At the same fourth dimension, the performances are all top-notch, and the film is as thought-provoking as information technology is creepy.

five Anomalisa

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Paramount Pictures

Kaufman collaborated with Duke Johnson to direct the finish-motion animated pic Anomalisa , written by Kaufman. The film is an achievement when information technology comes to its animation and the story is highly original and, at many times, center-breaking. The story follows a client service expert, Michael Stone (David Thewlis), who struggles with making meaningful connections with anyone. While promoting his book, he forms a relationship with Lisa (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a shy and insecure fan. The movie dives deep into human nature, love, and relationships. Although Stone thinks his dear for Lisa is real, he soon becomes frustrated with her, proving that he is incapable of forming loving relationships. The script is precipitous, and the animation is masterfully washed creating a very well-done film.

iv Synecdoche, New York

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Sony Pictures Classics

In Kaufman's directorial debut, he tells the story of Caden Cotard (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a theater manager who dedicates his life to creating an ballsy and honest play. At the same time, he explores love, relationships, and what it means to be alive. The motion picture is a surreal, dream-similar experience, and one of Kaufman's most original screenplays to appointment. Information technology is an exploration into the persona of Caden and Hoffman gives a fantastic functioning. At many points, it feels every bit if the picture show takes place in an entirely other universe, in a very good manner. Although the picture might not exist for everyone, information technology was a filmmaking achievement that should be seen at least once.

3 Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Listen

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Focus Features

Kaufman wrote the screenplay for Michel Gondry's artistic and surreal movie post-obit Joel (Jim Carrey), a man who decides to erase the memories of his ex-girlfriend (Kate Winslet). The film is an odyssey into the mind and self-consciousness of Joel as we travel through his memories. The editing and production blueprint are on-signal and the picture was something that audiences take never seen before. At the same fourth dimension, the story is an honest have on relationships and the struggles that come with them. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind features several swell cast members including Kirsten Dunst, Marker Ruffalo, and Tom Wilkinson.

2 Accommodation

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Sony Pictures Releasing

Nicolas Muzzle plays Charlie Kaufman also every bit his fictional twin brother in this highly original picture. Kaufman is struggling to write his next screenplay, an adaptation of Susan Orlean'south (Meryl Streep) book The Orchid Thief. The film is an in-depth look into the persona of Kaufam, focusing on his insecurities and struggles as a writer. Cage gives one of his best performances to appointment playing dual roles. Accommodation is entertaining from start to finish and delivers several laughs. One of the greatest parts behind the flick is that it is based on Kaufman'southward actual experience of trying to accommodate Orlean'south novel and, instead, creating a movie mostly about himself.

1 Being John Malkovich

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USA Films

Kaufman's quantum script tells the story of a puppeteer (John Cusack) who finds a portal into the heed of John Malkovich, assuasive everyone to be him for a thing of minutes. The pic is entertaining from starting time to terminate and features several of Kaufman'southward trademarks including wacky characters and surreal, dream-like sequences. Fasten Jonze'due south direction is on-point and his collaboration with Kaufman created i of the best films of his career. All the performances shine including Malkovich who plays himself. The moving-picture show is a not bad alloy of comedy and fantasy and is unquestionably a story that you have never seen earlier.

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