The Science of Sleep is the most fun I had watching a movie in 2007. Written and directed by Michel Gondry, it’s a trip to just sit back and watch the stuff that pours out of this guy’s head. The same goes for the main character of the movie. About half the movie consists of his dream life where everything is created from clay, yarn, cardboard, cellophane, dried macaroni — the kind of things kids create in art class, but fully animated and interactive. An accurate subtitle for the movie would be When Imagination Runs Wild.

The movie shares some of the same look and feel of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (which Gondry co-wrote and directed). It has some sadness underlying it, too, but leans more towards the comedic side due in large part to the likeable, childish performance of Gael Garica Bernal. The movie is full of an unusual, infectious, innocent energy. Some might think of The Science of Sleep as a love story, but it’s more about the exploration of the inner world of a guy who has a lot of growing up to do. Sort of. (The DVD commentary is strange and funny, too.)

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Tags: 4 Star Movies, Alain Chabat, Aurélia Petit, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Emma de Caunes, French, Gael Garica Bernal, Mexican, michel gondry, Miou-Miou, Pierre Vaneck, Sacha Bourdo, Stéphane Metzger

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