Movie Review: THE SCIENCE OF SLEEP Author: Jenn Bobbitt Thursday, September 21, 2005 U.S. Release Date: September 22, 2006 Distributor: Warner Independent Director: Michel Gondry Writing Credits: Michel Gondry Cast: Gael Gracia Bernal, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alain Chabat, Miou-Miou, Emma de Caunes, Aurelia Petit, Sacha Bourdo Genre: Drama MPAA Rating: R OFFICIAL WEBSITE: Official Site I apologize to anyone who has been waiting to read this review: it took me several days of contemplation to decide exactly how I wanted to approach this one. You see, I am conflicted: Michel Gondry so beautifully crafted 2004’s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind that I want desperately to give this one the benefit of the doubt despite my less than stellar feelings; but on the other hand, my job is to provide you with my candid opinion. In keeping with the honest integrity that is ON-FILM.NET, I have decided to forgo all politically correct wording and give it to you straight…. I have a great appreciation for the concept behind this film: Stephane (Bernal) is held captive by his own dreams and is consumed with a constant struggle to wake himself and take control of his own thoughts. He is a quiet, introspective artist drawn to beauty and innovative spirit in all that surrounds him. Conceptually, this one had potential. But… I have never found a theatre experience to be less enjoyable than the 105 minutes of trilingual pain I suffered through in The Science of Sleep. My girlfriend was truly angry with me by the time the credits rolled for making her sit through it in entirety. The acting was shoddy at best, the “special effects” and artistry were reminiscent of a fourth grader’s solar system shadow box project, and the faux intellectual plot line left me grasping at straws to try to make sense of it all. Exasperated, I finally gave up. Movies aren’t supposed to be work (seriously, reading subtitles in a poorly made, uninspired film is a lot to ask from a viewer), they are supposed to be enjoyable…and intellectually stimulating can still be enjoyable, but this just wasn’t. Jenn’s Grade: If there was such thing as negative integer letters, I would give this one a Z-, but since that isn’t really an option, I’ll settle with an F. JENN’S GRADE: F Jenn Bobbitt is a reviewer and writer for ON-FILM.NET. SEND JENN FEEBACK!