While he was responsible for one of the best films of the '00s with "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," it's been a while since we really fell for something by Michel Gondry. Follow-up "The Science Of Sleep" had its charms, as did documentary "The Thorn In The Heart," but his major films like "Be Kind Rewind," "The Green Hornet" and "The We & the I" have swung between being cripplingly uneven and borderline unwatchable.
But we're always hopeful for a return to form, and it looks like it might have arrived in the shape of his return to French-language cinema for "Mood Indigo," the first trailer for which has just arrived. Featuring an all-star cast of Romain Duris ("The Beat That My Heart Skipped"), Audrey Tautou ("Amelie"), Gad Elmaleh ("Midnight In Paris") and Omar Sy ("The Intouchables"), the adaptation of Boris Vian's 1947 novel ("L'Ecume des jours" in French), tells the tale of Colin (Duris), the wealthy inventor of an olfactory musical instrument. He marries Chloe (Tautou), but unfortunately, she falls ill during their honeymoon thanks to a water lily that enters her lung, and the only way to treat the ailment is to surround her with fresh flowers – an expense that soon drains his funds.
While the trailer's in French, there's not a lot of dialogue at work, with the emphasis placed on some very Gondry-esque imagery. But the wackiness seems to be counterpointed by a real emotional backbone, and it's certainly reminiscent more of 'Eternal Sunshine' than anything else in the director's filmography. We're not 100% confident yet, having been burnt in the past, but we'd see that cast if McG was directing them, and all the signs are in place that Gondry could be properly back in form here. The film opens in France on April 24th, so hopefully we'll see it on this side of the pond before too long – perhaps at SXSW or Tribeca?
Oh, and the song is "Hey Ho" by The Lumineers.
Gondrys best movie from 00 is "the science of sleep" the lumineers are a horrible band that does not need any more exposition. end.
Looks great, really can't wait for this.
Wow, looks fantastic.
Looks like Monsieur Gondry is finally back!
That is a really gorgeous, intoxicating trailer. Movie looks great.
I heard that the release date could still be changed if the film's selected for Cannes…