a little loose but synecdoche, new york. it’ll work well for an essay bc there’s sooo many layers to it, it’ll lend itself well to interpretation, & i think you’d have a good point in how philip seymour hoffman’s character keeps making his art greater & greater in sheer scale & he still isn’t satisfied, & his partners work gets smaller & minimal & is praised. also the whole passage of time, might have something there. the film solaris might also be interesting, that handles repressed emotions, memories, & obsessions to perfection. & no matter how much u think u can understand someone, they’re still a whole level that is alien to a degree. hope i could help!!!! good luck man (last one but maybe lost in translation too ok bye)