Rating: R
Movie Release Date: August 16, 2006 (France) / September 22, 2006 (USA)
Movie Release Date: August 16, 2006 (France) / September 22, 2006 (USA)
DVD Release Date: February 6, 2007
Plot 411: Stephane lives more in his dreams than in reality and becomes enthralled when he meets a girl he thinks can live in his world too.
Review: This movie was a strange mix of dreams and reality. Gael Garcia Bernal plays Stephane, a half Mexican and half French graphic designer who has returned home to his mother's native France for a job. Unfortunately, his job is not fulfilling nor does it provide a creative outlet for him. This seems to make him retreat further into his dreams. When he meets his new neighbor, Stephanie, he becomes enchanted by her creativity and believes that she may understand his inner thoughts and feelings, which are all a jumble. But, their relationship is also quite puzzling because it seems that she is interested in him but not at the same time he is interested in her. Their timing is off and because Stephane's behavior is quirky and weird at times, you can't blame Stephanie for her hesitation. Stephane's dreams are technically superb in its production and design. It must've taken many, many months to complete the painstaking work. I enjoyed the diversity of his dreams and how each was carried out in a slightly different manner depending on his feelings. The movie was really confusing at times, but so is life, love and our sleeping hours.
Watch It: For a look at love and rejection, feelings and dreams.
Skip It: If you're opposed to all those arty, foreign flicks. This is one of them that'll keep you confused for many days.
