Submitted by cinemascope on Sat, 2007-02-17 18:35. :: This Week's Films
Movie title:
The Science of Sleep
Starring:
Gael Garcia Bernal, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Emma de Caunes, Alain Chabat, Miou-Miou
Directed by:
Michel Gondry
Written by:
Michel Gondry
Genre:
Comedy/ Fantasy/ Romance
Year:
2007
Country:
USA
Language:
English
Runtime:
1 hour 45 minutes
Imdb:
Rating:
Synopsis
Young artist Stephane (Bernal) returns to his childhood home, Paris, after his father's death. Misled into taking a dull office job instead of the illustration work he desires, Stephan also finds himself falling in love with his next door neighbour, Stephanie (Gainsbourg), who shares his creative impulses. Standing in the way of Stephane's desires is his increasing inability to separate his dream life from his waking life. Stephane's dreams are vividly played out on screen, and often elements of his dream life interfere with his everday existence.
Young artist Stephane (Bernal) returns to his childhood home, Paris, after his father's death. Misled into taking a dull office job instead of the illustration work he desires, Stephan also finds himself falling in love with his next door neighbour, Stephanie (Gainsbourg), who shares his creative impulses. Standing in the way of Stephane's desires is his increasing inability to separate his dream life from his waking life. Stephane's dreams are vividly played out on screen, and often elements of his dream life interfere with his everday existence.
Review
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Gondry's previous directorial effort, was a masterful blend of whimsy and intelligence, of low-fi science and endearing performances, as well as stunning in-camera special effects. However, while The Science of Sleep incorporates some imaginative DIY effects and boasts endearing performances from Bernal and particularly, Gainsbourg, the movie lacks what Gondry's former collaborator Charlie Kauffman brought to the table: a decent script. That's not to say the dialogue is bad - stilted and awkward at times, yes, but in keeping with the idiosynchratic characters. What's lacking here is structure and narrative. There's not much in the way of a story, and what little there is offers no satisfactory development or resolution. As you'd expect from such a talented and imaginative director of pop promos, much of The Science of Sleep looks fantastic, but the movie is too whimsical, the lead character in the final analysis is too emotionally difficult to fully warm to, and the movie is ultimately unsatisfying.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Gondry's previous directorial effort, was a masterful blend of whimsy and intelligence, of low-fi science and endearing performances, as well as stunning in-camera special effects. However, while The Science of Sleep incorporates some imaginative DIY effects and boasts endearing performances from Bernal and particularly, Gainsbourg, the movie lacks what Gondry's former collaborator Charlie Kauffman brought to the table: a decent script. That's not to say the dialogue is bad - stilted and awkward at times, yes, but in keeping with the idiosynchratic characters. What's lacking here is structure and narrative. There's not much in the way of a story, and what little there is offers no satisfactory development or resolution. As you'd expect from such a talented and imaginative director of pop promos, much of The Science of Sleep looks fantastic, but the movie is too whimsical, the lead character in the final analysis is too emotionally difficult to fully warm to, and the movie is ultimately unsatisfying.
