The Science of Sleep

Although most people would select Eternal Sunshine on the Spotless Mind as Michel Gondry's best film, I would choose The Science of Sleep as my favorite. It is a romantic comedy of awkward proportions, but its quirkier nature makes it all the more endearing.

Stephane is newly arrived back at his childhood home in France. His mother has found him a job at a publishing firm here he is trying to have Disasterology published, art that depicts true disasters. While trying to help a neighbor move a piano into her apartment, Stephane injures his hand. The owner of the apartment's friend, Zoe, invites him to the apartment to mend the injury. Stephane forms a crush on Zoe, but Zoe notes the similarities between Stephane and the apartment owner, Stephanie. They both have similar names and are creative types and might do well to collaborate on a project. They begin to work together, forming a love/hate bond that tests the strength of their relationship.

The Science of Sleep is a very quirky film. It intertwines Stephane's reality with his dreams, creating numerous surreal sequences that are both cute and engaging. Many of these scenes are really cool to watch too, since they make use of Gondry's very visual mind in interesting ways. Originally a brilliant music director, watching him translate his talents to film has been very entertaining.

Both Stephane and Stephanie are very likeable characters. Stephane is sympathetic in his shy nature. Stephanie is cute in how vulnerable she is. Many of the other characters are charming as well, including Guy, Stephane's sex-crazed co-worker, who is very funny.

Michel Gondry creates a wonderful story of finding love in The Science of Sleep. Watching the paranoia the characters feel thinking about what their opposite is thinking is heartwarming and funny to watch. In its quirkiness, it is a big film that by its end, you finally notice just how quietly it accomplished this.