The Science of Sleep (2006)

Premise: At his mother's behest, Stéphane (Gael Garcí­a Bernal) returns to France following his father's death. He gets a mind numbing job, and his coworkers Guy (Alain Chabat), Martine (Aurélia Petit), and Serge (Sacha Bourdo) begin to populate his dreams. Stéphane has always had a problem inverting dreams and reality, and he believes he has found a kindred spirit when Stéphanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg) moves in next door.

I cannot recall the last time I saw such a charming film. Writer-director Michel Gondry has created a winsome word that defies you not to surrender to it. Visually arresting, Stéphane's dream world takes on the characteristics of joyful artistic expression occasionally tainted by the pressures of adulthood, but, for the most part, it remains childlike and honest. The entracing work of composer Jean-Michel Bernard and cinematographer Jean-Louis Bompoint certainly help immerse the viewer in Stéphane's universe of cardboard toilet paper rolls and candy wrappers.

Although each performer conceives a memorable character (Chabat is a standout as older, randy coworker who needs Stéphane to keep him entertained), it is Bernal who owns the movie from start to finish. Rather than grounding the action with temperance, Gondry gives him carte blanche to elevate the film to fantastic heights. Stéphane exists in a world apart, and Gondry makes sure to blend the realms of the imagined with reality in order to ensure that the audience sees the world as Stéphane does. It is a credit to Bernal's talent that he can make the protagonist, even in his most annoying and obnoxious moments, the most delightful of the bunch.

It is a credit to Gondry's quixotic picture that he never reveals the basis for Stéphane's feelings of rejection and his need to create elaborate delusions. Hints are dropped throughout, but there's never an eureka moment. Gondry never suggests you to feel that you should try to live as Stéphane. There is magic in this world, and some people are fortunate (unfortunate?) enough to find it. A