A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: The Science of Sleep (La Science des reves)

Date Viewed: 10/22/06

Details:

Gael Garcia Bernal

Charlotte Gainsbourg

Alain Chabat

Miou-Miou

Emma de Caunes

Written & directed by: Michel Gondry

Score: -

The Review: I cannot say this is a bad film; all I can say is that I did not like it. And although sleep figures prominently, science has nothing to do with it.

A French independent film largely in English, about a young art student (Stephan, by Gael Garcia Bernal) returning home after the death of his father, and his developing relationship with the girl who just moved in next door (Gainsbourg). It explores, sometimes without obvious boundaries, at least three realms of varying rationality: absolute reality, dream reality, and waking fantasy. Occasional tinges of humor (his employment in a calendar manufacturer included), and some curious animation, but the cinematography is a bit hard on the eyes, as is the embarrassment of Stephan as he discovers his dreaming has an unconscious, but active, component. Neither terribly compelling nor interesting.

(29-Oct-06)

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