The Science of Sleep | DVD Review

When so many have resorted to CGI effects to produce the wow factor, it’s always a refreshing cinematic experience to venture into the world that is as highly fertile as Michel Gondry’s. In a succession of video-clip, commercial and feature film work, Gondry’s apt hand and vision demonstrates that, less is indeed more.

After the wacky Gondry/Kaufman collaborations of Human Nature in 2001 and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind in 2004, 06 was a double dose of Gondry year for fans – preceding the autumn release was the easily addictive, feel-good concert documentary film Dave Chappelle’s Block Party. With ‘SOS’, the French filmmaker tapped into his own source material for what became his screenwriting debut. Apart from Little Miss Sunshine, this was one of the most sought after titles at 05’s Sundance – and the bidding war was fierce and quick. Ultimately, Warner Independent Pictures struggled to make the coin back on their 6-million-ish dollar investment – perhaps the difficulty with the U.S market is that the film’s leads are big stars in their respective countries and that the marketability of the film could never go beyond art-house audience sensibilities. Certainly the film does incorporate many of his music video experimentations – but this was an opportunity to manifest more than his dreamscape concerns but a little bit of autobiographical historia.

While it may be difficult to come to a consensus stand out moment, the film is littered with a collection of ideas (how do I get my hand on a calendar featuring aviation disasters?) and gizmos that layer the film was high doses of color and originality. While many contend that Gondry might want to grow up – this piece suggests that childlike tantrums are best observed when we are in our period of shut-eye.

Commentary by writer-director Michel Gondry, Gael Garcia Bernal, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Sacha Bourdo
In both the English and French lingoes, the only fun parts are when Gael and Gondry recall some of the anecdotes. In a couple of spots they actually debate some of the scenes – discussing the true nature of the characters intentions. Unfortunately, with four at the table it becomes a crowded reunion – I don’t care as much for joking around and going off-topic.

The Making of The Science of Sleep
What makes a film like this worth the buy is the film itself, but when the filmmaker documents what went into the making of a very personal film and elaborates on several “how did they do that” sequences – then this extra becomes a solid candidate for a DVD library addition. This doc shall make aspiring filmmaker feel completely inadequate – Gondry indeed has more talent and imagination in one fingertip than us fanboys has collectively. The doc starts off describing the kind of early influences, and then the doc shows the long gestation period for the screenplay and then brings viewers to key artistically rendered sequences and the tools that where used in the making. Samplings of drawings, the construction of set pieces provide the wow factor when watching this – and many times we come to grasp the authenticity and childlike tenacity of the filmmaker. How else do you think he got all those toilette paper rolls?

Featurette on Lauri Faggioni, creator of Animals and Accessories
This is a documentary that simply demonstrates how artists generally find inspiration among other artists. Gondry worked with Faggioni on some of the film’s “stuffed” creations and this is a full length interview with the NY creator – she points to various items in her workshop and for the most part discusses how her stuff was included in the film. One quote that I’ve that rings true with Gondry’s zany spirit is “if an idea is any good it’s on the verge of being stupid”.

Linda Serbu “Rescue Me” music video
A quirky 5 or so minutes featuring a New Yorker badly lip-singing to the film’s cat mascot band sequence. Not a music video per se, just having some fun with the camera and filming stuff.

Adopt Some Love: a Linda Serbu film
Here we get the impression that Gondry might be a cat lover or that he respects the work that Serbu does. This basically follows the lady and co. around and sees the impact the have with abandoned feline population.

Theatrical trailer:
Same old same old.

Though repeat viewings might warrant a scan here and a skip there, if you are like me you already own Gondry’s Director’s Label DVD and The Science of Sleep is a fitting companion piece.

Movie rating – 4

Disc Rating – 3.5