Saw Michel Gondrys IS THE MAN WHO IS TALL HAPPY? (2013), Gondrys animated and rambling conversation with Noam Chomsky, which wasnt so much illuminating as bemusing. I mean, sure, Chomsky is an incredible conversationalist and linguist, but a major portion of the exchange hinges on complete misunderstandings (Gondrys accent is thick, and mayhaps Chomskys hearing isnt the best now). Gondry keeps those gaffes, contextualizing them instantly and going with the flow via the animation, which lends some real wit to the proceedings. The lack of subtitles (despite Gondrys graphics spelling out major chunks of what hes saying) drove more than one audience member away: they just couldnt grasp what was being said, thanks in part to Gondrys thick accent, in part to the sound mix. I didnt have any problems with it, though. Glad I caught this, but unlikely to be revisiting it again down the road. The most engaging material involved Chomskys upbringing and education, the most wistful Gondrys evocation of Chomskys love life via imagery even as Chomsky politely declines to discuss it—the one wedding of conversation and animation that was, fleetingly, transcendent (and worthy of the Hubleys). Is it just me, or was Gondrys collaboration with Julie Doucet (on MY NEW NEW YORK DIARY, 2010, from PictureBox) a profound influence on Gondrys animation in this new film? Sure looks like it to me, at times.
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 11:06:01 +0000
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