Dream logic does not always make sense, but Stephane cannot separate the dream world from the real world. This is a problem as he tries to woo his next door neighbor in a most unconventional way.
Stephane Miroux’s (Gael Garcia Bernal) father has died and he has returned to France to live in his mother’s apartment in his childhood bedroom. He spies a girl named Stephanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg) being moved into the apartment next door. She and her friend say something about Stephane’s mom, the landlord, so Stephane pretends to live elsewhere. So he’s constantly trying to make it look like he lives anywhere but next door. He finds that he and Stephanie share a creative streak.
Stephane and Stephanie
This appears mostly in the film in Stephane’s dream state where landscapes are made out of egg crates and toilet paper rolls. Mom has tried to put this creativity to good use by getting him a job at a calendar company, but it only stifles it since he’s put in charge of some banal copy work.
He wants to produce a “disasterology” calendar that has childlike drawings of some of the greatest disasters of all time. This does not go over well with his boss. He starts to retreat more and more into his dream world and soon both he and the viewer have a hard time distinguishing from the two.
Stephane’s world is the one of dreams therefore not too much of it makes sense. How often have you dreamt of being naked at school for the big test, talking dogs, spaghetti mountains, etc.? Such is the state of dreams. Since Stephane prefers his dream world a lot of Science of Sleep takes place in it. He’s fashioned a cityscape such as the one that he built in his childhood out of leftover materials from around the house. Then the possibility of love enters the picture and things go a kilter.
He has no idea how to express his love to Stephanie since he can’t connect to her in the real world and has more ease connecting with the dream Stephanie. When he does try he uses dream logic and writes a note that asks for her friend’s phone number. It might make sense in dreams but not in reality. The viewer may be confused by this since we’re not sure if Stephane is dreaming his romance or does Stephanie really return his affection, in fact did they really have some sort of romance at all or was it all in his head? We’re unsure of many of the events in Stephane’s life towards the end of the film – did they happen in reality or in dreams?
As with love, the film really doesn’t offer any easy answers to those questions. The film is one of great creativity and should be watched for those traits alone, but he compelling characters also make it worth watching. I will admit a bit of confusion towards the end as to exactly what was going on with Stephane and how the relationship seems to take an awkward turn.
Stephane's dream world
However, I still ended up liking the movie. Director Michel Gondry leaves a lot of these confusions for the viewer to make up their mind as to how things are turning out. So if you don’t like the sound of that then you’ll probably not like the movie.
The Science of Sleep is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) and enhanced for 16x9 televisions. Special features include a commentary by writer/director Michel Gondry, Gael Garcia Bernal, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and actor Sacha Bourdo.
The 39 minute “Making of the Science of Sleep” covers the genesis of the project and the behind the scenes creation of many of the dream sequences. It has interviews with director of photography Jean-Louis Bompoint, director Michel Gondry, producer Georges Bermann, Charlotte Gainsbourg, co-producer Frederic Junqua, Gael Garcia Bernal, actor Alain Chabat, and production designer Stephane Rozenbaum.
Next is the 11 minute “Lauri” that interviews Lauri Faggioni who made the knitted/crocheted animals and accessories in the film. The 3 minute “Rescue Me” is an informational music video (??) featuring Linda Serbu of Hollywood Kitty (a L.A. cat rescue group). She’s the maker of the 4 minute “Adopt Some Love” which is about rescuing cats. Finally there’s the theatrical trailer for the film.
The Science of Sleep is probably an acquired taste since it might confuse some viewers (as if living a life like we dream would be successful). However, those willing to give it a chance will find a creatively constructed film, but as with dreams don’t expect easy answers.
The Mexico City earthquake illustration for the disasterology calendar
The Science of Sleep is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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