SPECIAL: Gondry Films

Gondry Films

Human Nature (2001)
D: Gondry, S: Kaufman

Human Nature is, on one hand, sort of tedious. This isn’t to say that I didn’t like the movie. I think it’s impressive. However, it’s also quite forceful. I like subtle slaps on the face but Human Nature (beginning with it’s title) is a long social commentary. The story took a backseat to the message and that’s not how I usually like things to be handed to me.

It’s not a bad film although it paints a rather bleak image of human nature. If you’re misanthropic, you’ll probably agree with this. But then again, if you’re misanthropic, you probably already knew what the movie will say and somehow, it’s just not worth the while.

The movie is sadly unremarkable and I would recommend seeing Gondry and Kaufman’s other works before this. I know I’m contradicting myself but I will still say that it’s funny. Just… not for everyone.

FINAL RATING: [4] out of [5]

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
D: Gondry, S: Kaufman, Gondry, Bismuth

One of my favorite movies and I would always list it as one of the greatest stories ever told. It’s creatively told and creatively shot. The characters are incredibly well-written and the whole “yeah, so we’re going to fuck up who cares let’s just deal with it” theme makes my heart fuzzy-warm.

Similar with Human Nature, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind still paints this rather sad view of life and love. Looking at the lives of the minor characters, I can’t help but get a little depressed.

Provided an escape, the characters choose it. But then, they end up doing the same things they did before they tried to forget everything. Sure, it’s sad to think that even if we want to change, we can’t. The bittersweet side of it is that even if we know it might not work out and even if we might end up getting hurt (again), life is life. Sometimes there’s no logic behind it. The best thing to do with life is live it. Yadda, yadda.

Eternal Sunshine is beautiful in so many ways and it would be such a shame if you don’t watch it. Please do.

FINAL RATING: [5] out of [5]

The Science of Sleep (2006)
D: Gondry, S: Gondry

The problem with the mind-boggling beauty of Eternal Sunshine is that Gondry might not be able to pull another one off. But I can’t say I was surprised when he still managed to make this incredible movie without the aid of Charlie Kaufman.

The Science of Sleep is an unbelievably quirky love story between this funny neurotic (not Allen-neurotic, just… a little cuckoo neurotic) guy who finds himself drifting towards his unusually attractive neighbor.

It’s brilliant how Gondry uses his… er, creative genius to show the awkwardness of relationships. If you’ve ever felt like wanting to completely disappear because you just can’t understand what’s going on in your head and all the needing/wanting to be with someone bullshit is driving you crazy, you’ll find yourself chuckling or even laughing at Gael Garcia Bernal’s character, Stéphane.

The characters are, as with Eternal Sunshine, well-thought. Stéphane isn’t some misunderstood freak who’s fixated with his self-proclaimed uniqueness. He’s just rather odd. And he happens to know he’s odd. So when he meets someone who doesn’t make him feel like such a sideshow, he finds it difficult to believe that she’d want to be with him.

Gondry is able to create the difference between sympathy and empathy. It’s all very good.

FINAL RATING: [5] out of [5]

Be Kind Rewind (2008)
D: Gondry, S: Gondry

Be Kind Rewind is a simple film that speaks volumes about Gondry’s love for the art of making movies. It has the trademark quirk of Gondry’s other features and it’s funny in the right places but mostly, Be Kind Rewind is a movie about what movies are supposed to be. We have giant corporations trying to create the next big thing and we have these quadralogies or pentalogies. Epic movie after epic movie.

For me at least, Be Kind Rewind is Gondry saying that movies are for entertainment and escape.

It’s not spectacular or deep. It’s refreshing and creative and funny and interesting. All the little things that make me love Gondry movies so, so much.

FINAL RATING: [4] out of [5]

MOVIE: Starter for Ten (2006)

Starter for Ten
2006
Direction: Vaughan, T.
Screenplay: Nicholls, D.

quickie:
A dorky geek attempts to make something of himself… by winning a quiz show using useless, general knowledge. There’s a love story in here too.

general impression:
Funny enough, entertaining enough. The word ‘cute’ easily comes to mind.

lows:
The ending feels a little contrived, lots of issues thrown in the surface, the story is bordering on cliché

highs:
James McAvoy, great cast, the cliché bit is overshadowed by the handling of the material, genuinely funny

notes:
There is something about dorks, geeks and nerds that attract me. Maybe because I’m a dork myself?

Anyway, Starter for Ten is good for laughs. It’s not truly exceptional (expect maybe for James McAvoy – this guy is good) but it’s witty and charming. I didn’t like the exposition bit towards the end but I forgive it. The movie is simply cute.

It’s sort of like an English (i.e. British) Disney Channel movie with cursing and funny, backwards head-butting going on. The fun thing about this movie is how earnestly Brian (McAvoy) tries. Here’s an average kid from an average background trying to be a smart kid for his father. And he is a smart kid, if we redefine smart. Knowing stuff does make people feel better about who they are but Brian’s charm comes from the fact that he not merely wants to be an arrogant bastard, he actually likes learning. Even if he’s not the smartest little ass in the world, he doesn’t care. All he wants to do is know stuff and learn things. And that is very cute.

For your inner dork, Starter for Ten is a nifty watch.

FINAL RATING:
[3] out of [5]