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The Science of Sleep By David DiCerto Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) -- Movies often try to get into a character's head, but "The Science of Sleep" (Warner Independent) does it literally. The visually clever, if unsatisfying, film springs from the fertile imagination of Michel Gondry, who also directed 2004's "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." The cranium in question belongs to Stephane Miroux (Gael Garcia Bernal), an imaginative, if dysfunctional, young man who "hosts" a make-believe talk show in his own mind -- "Stephane TV" -- and who frequently confuses dreams and waking life. Having lived in Mexico with his now-deceased father, Stephane is lured back to Paris by his mom (Miou-Miou) to his childhood apartment with the promise of a creative job at a calendar company. The position turns out to be frustratingly unfulfilling. At the office, Guy (Alain Chabat) takes Stephane under his wing, offering him advice on women that is wrapped in vulgarities. Stephane's depression is lightened when he meets Stephanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg), who, moving into the apartment next door, mistakes him for one of the moving men, a mix-up with lingering effects. Initially, Stephane is enamored by Stephanie's less demure roommate, Zoe (Emma De Caunes), but gravitates toward Stephanie, in whom he recognizes a kindred spirit. But while they hit it off well, Stephane's stunted emotional maturity and loose grasp on reality torpedo any hope of romance. By turns sweet and surreal, the film touches on many of the same themes as "Eternal Sunshine," though the net result is less poetic. Bernal imbues Stephane with childlike charm; but while Stephane is an intriguing character his eccentricities are at times more annoying than endearing. Despite all the time the film spends between Stephane's ears, he himself remains a cipher. In giving rein to Stephane's overactive imagination, Gondry incorporates animation and other effects shots into the film. Sequences range from the whimsical to the bizarre, as when Stephane grows giant hands. The scenes that take place on the cardboard-constructed "Stephane TV" set are inventive in the filmmaker's low-tech approach, including a funny culinary segment where he whips up a dream from a recipe of random thoughts, an old record album and a handful of uncooked spaghetti. But the movie's offbeat originality is sabotaged by Gondry's affection for dreamlike images over narrative coherence that ultimately undermines emotional involvement in the story. Overall, "The Science of Sleep" disappoints, even as it dazzles. In English, French and Spanish with subtitles. The film contains recurring rough and crude language, some sexual images and lewd humor, and a few instances of brief, partial, nonsexual nudity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. - - - DiCerto is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. More reviews are available online at www.usccb.org/movies. END Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed. CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250 |
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