There are times when "The Science of Sleep" is as entrancing as it is bizarre, absurd and whimsical.
That's really saying something when you consider that this romantic comedy/fantasy makes the somewhat similar "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" look downright straightforward and coherent by comparison.
Both films are from director Michel Gondry, but the peculiar "Science of Sleep" is definitely more problematic, despite being interesting and visually arresting ? which is more than you can say for most of this year's film fare.
Like "Sunshine," "Science" finds Gondry examining dysfunctional relationships, here through the eyes of Stephane Miroux (Gael Garcia Bernal), a would-be inventor who has a hard time distinguishing between fantasy and reality.
Stephane just returned to France, where he's working for a manufacturer of promotional calendars. It's mind-numbing work, which perhaps explain why he's quickly become obsessed with his new neighbor, Stephanie (Charlotte Gainsbourg). He senses that she's a kindred soul ? but Stephane spends so much time in his dreamland that he risks jeopardizing their tenuous relationship.
Without his "Eternal Sunshine" collaborator, screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, Gondry digresses a little too much and "Science of Sleep" feels a bit disjointed. A couple of transitional scenes seem to be missing.
But there are some very amusing ideas, such as the disaster-themed calendar. And Stephane's cardboard-and-construction-paper dream world looks stunning.
As for Bernal and Gainsbourg, they sell their unconventional romance convincingly. And in support, French character actor Alain Chabat steals a couple of scenes as Stephane's piggish co-worker.
"The Science of Sleep" is rated R for crude sexual humor and references, as well as a flatulence gag, scattered use of strong sexual profanity, fantasy violence (done for comic effect), brief simulated sex and other sexual contact, brief nudity (photos and full male nudity), and brief drug content (references). Running time: 105 minutes.