Review of The Science of Sleep (2006) by Paul N — 08 Jan 2011

A quirky film with a very interesting premise that is underutilized to say the least. Dream sequences and visualizations of inner monologues are nicely animated, but add little to the narrative.

Stephane is a bit of a misfit with an overactive imagination. The movie is mostly the story of his malattempted romance with his next door neighbor, Stephanie. While the characters on their own seem charming enough, the crux of the story - Stephane's intense shyness and inability to deal with reality - derail the story repeatedly.

When I was younger, I would indulge in daydreams where my inner angst and fear and shyness was manifested in ways that would win the heart of the girl I adored. My misfit antics would be seen as heroic and brave and wonderful. I would be adored for my weaknesses.

That's the sort of adolescent feelings that pour out of this film. And while the film may appeal on that level to younger viewers who resonate with the awkwardness and uncertainty of Stephane, I found myself wondering why in the world Stephanie would continue to be drawn to him. Perhaps it's just that my youthful social maladaptedness never seemed to garner anything but ridicule that makes me unsympathetic to Stephane. But a certain part of me thinks that he just needs to grow up.

The movie is full of characters trying to be people they aren't. The next door neighbors who have menial jobs like Stephane, but try to pass themself off as creative directors. The middle-aged and paunchy co-worker of Stephane's who dons a leather jacket with some vintage pins and calls himself a punk. Everyone has a dream, and most people never fulfill them - it's a bleak sentiment that isn't surprising in a French film.

What sounds like a whimsical semi-fantasy is mostly a very dreary and depressing tirade against the real world compared with the infinitely more beautiful and promising land of dreams.