The Science of Sleep

[huntergrayson]

What? Canada gets this before LA does? Why?

Kidding!

I'm really looking forward to this. I like how the cast is very, well, foreign and relatively unknown, but awesome all around. Gondry probably could've done anything after Eternal Sunshine, but it seems like he just follows what he feels.

Also? Gael pretty. So very, very pretty.

[huntergrayson]

Just saw it.

Gael is so boyish-slash-stuck in adolescence and the film is indeed "odd and dreamlike" (raves Moldy of CPMCoG!) that it's almost more like a fairytale/fable for grownups than a "real" movie, if that makes sense. It's tough, though, because in real life, Stephane's character would be even more dark and twisty and scary and damaged than Meredith Grey, yet you root (and lust!) for him. Plus, he makes an adorable kitten.

I thought the horny coworker Guy was awesome and a total scene-stealer.

A minor complaint: One of the "dreams" seemed more like a music video, which is old hat for Gondry, than a real "dream" sequence that the film needed.

From an Interview I skimmed in, well, Interview, that this apparently is somewhat more personal for Gondry (it's shoot in his old house, for example), which may be one of the movies strengths - it's more abstract and not as universal as Eternal Sunshine, but, well, I didn't want it to be that movie, part deux.

Also: it's *hysterical*. And not merely in a wacky French way. Probably one of the funniest films I've seen all year.

And if they were selling a Disasterology calendar as merchandise, I'd buy it.

It will end up going to some CGI blockbuster monstrosty, but I'd like to see this win an F/X Oscar. Hell, after this and Sunshine, just give Michel a prize like Cannes did for Crash (the sex-and-cars crash one, not the everyone's racist one) for daring, audacity and originality of vision.

This and Half Nelson are tied for my "best" films of the year so far.

Wow. I always thought the IMDB boards were full of morons, but, seriously, someone actually thinks:

I see no reason why this film cannot be shown on Saturday morning TV. it's too obvious just how hilariously cheap and primitive those special effects were, even by 1950s movie standards.

Because it's not a deliberate choice on the part of the filmmaker or anything. They declare "it's so bad you'll go off movies forever!" (rants IMDB idiot!)

See for yourself, people. I dug it.

Awwww, sweet, the Interview in interview is done by Michel's son and he says that he cast Gael because he looks and reminds him a bit of aforementioned kid. Is there a warm and fuzzy smiley?

[mares]

Just got back from seeing it, and I loved it. The only way I can think to describe it is that it is wonderfully weird. Perfectly strange, if you will. LOVED Stéphane... despite the fact that he is somewhat insane. Just don't expect another Eternal Sushine, cause it's very different. Don't really know what else to say about it that huntergrayson didn't cover already, just go see it!

[orchidthief]

Way better than the critics gave it credit for.

[Deleted]

I'm so conflicted about this movie. I wanted to see it (and I loved Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) but the hard sell they're giving it on livejournal is pretty gross. The "sponsored" site is full of users with brand new accounts who only have each other friended and who gush about how life-changing the movie was and oh, can someone please tell me more about this talented young director, and blah blah PR-cakes. It's a bit much.

[orchidthief]

honeywheeler said:

I'm so conflicted about this movie. I wanted to see it (and I loved Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) but the hard sell they're giving it on livejournal is pretty gross. The "sponsored" site is full of users with brand new accounts who only have each other friended and who gush about how life-changing the movie was and oh, can someone please tell me more about this talented young director, and blah blah PR-cakes. It's a bit much.

It's not LiveJournal/My Space hipster. Trust me, they'll turn out for the film (I love ESoTSM, but it has the most annoying fans on the face of this earth). But I'm not sure a lot of them will love it (like they did with ESoTSM), or even like it all that much.

For starters, it barely has a narrative.

My screening was filled with these hipsters. And they weren't that enthusiastic over the film.

[Deleted]

No, I mean they're clearly fakes. PR people posing as fans gushing about the movie, trying to create buzz about it. That sort of approach really turns my stomach and I don't particularly want to reward the studio for it.

[orchidthief]

honeywheeler said:

No, I mean they're clearly fakes. PR people posing as fans gushing about the movie, trying to create buzz about it. That sort of approach really turns my stomach and I don't particularly want to reward the studio for it.

Ew, that's embarrassing.

Well, separate it from the film. 'Cause the film is very genuine... which is not what I can say about Fox Searchlight.

But I guess, they're desperate, considering that they bought SoS for six mil at Sundance (the film is genuinely "indie" - it wasn't produced by Fox ... much of it was funded by a French film company).

Another reason to hate those IndieWood companies though.

[huntergrayson]

Were there a thousand people screaming "plant!" like on AICN and IMDB?

Because setting up fakes is gross but being soooo paranoid about fakes is almost as annoying.

I looked at IMDB to try to determine the "success" (box office wise) of this so far - but they only have France's total. But from what I can gleam from B.O. Mojo, it seems to be gaining steam - i.e. there's a +220 percent change from last week and a very high per-screen average. It's only playing in 221 theatres nationwide, which seems ridiculously low, but the official website makes it seem like a traditional, staggered rollout.

I dunno, if word of mouth is good, it could make it. But it seems like a kinda divisive film - I mean, I loved it but was annoyed a great deal as well. The language thing doesn't help, I'm sure.

Do we know the budget *before* the 6 mil. acquisition?

Grr, I hate the distribution gap/problem of today. :-(

Hmm, I'm trying to think of my favorite moment...and there are many...but the one with the "clouds" sticks out.

[mares]

huntergrayson said:

And if they were selling a Disasterology calendar as merchandise, I'd buy it.

If you really want it, you can use these and make your own!