Those looking for the intriguing complexity of "Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind" may be disappointed. Directed (and written) by the same director Michael Gondry and exploring the same premise of what goes on in the mind, "SOS" (I kinda like this) is nevertheless simple and familiar. You'll recognize right away a lovable, introvert individual with difficulties in expressing his emotions. You'll also likely embrace the familiar theme on reaching out, empathizing and connecting.
The plot is simplicity itself, about a young man who since childhood had difficulties in differentiating dream from reality. We see him returning home, after growing up in Mexico, to Paris where his mother has arranged a job for him, to start a new life. He still sleeps in his old room, with his feet protruding form the end of the bed from calves down. In the work front, there's the usual group of supporting cast made up of boss and co-workers, serving as a diversion. The focus however is on his relationship with a quiet girl who, although not as introvert as he, needs to do a little reaching out herself. That relationship, as recited in my summary line, is short and sweet, for the most part.
Stephane and Stephanie (yes!) are played by two wonderful actors, with equally wonderful chemistry. Gael Garcia Bernal, Pedro Almodovar's favourite actor, has become even more popular globally since "The motorcycle diaries". Charlotte Gainsbourg is essentially French although she has appeared in "21 grams". Not a conventional ravishing beauty, she has a very attractive quiet charm that you are unlikely to forget if you have watched any of her movies, such as "Lemming". Their roles in SOS might have been tailored-made for the two of them.
One interesting thing is that while this is a French movie, happening in Paris, 90 per cent of the dialogue is in English, as Stephane's mother tongue is Spanish and he speaks little French.
Although SOS does not have the complexity and soaring imagination of "Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind", it does have some nice touches of its own. The one I like best is a scene when she throws up to the ceiling some light, cotton-like substance, imagining them to be clouds. For a puzzling moment, he dashes towards the piano and bangs out various chords, very purposefully. It's not easy to suppress a smile when he finally hits upon the right chord, when you see all the "clouds" suspending from the ceiling.
The plot is simplicity itself, about a young man who since childhood had difficulties in differentiating dream from reality. We see him returning home, after growing up in Mexico, to Paris where his mother has arranged a job for him, to start a new life. He still sleeps in his old room, with his feet protruding form the end of the bed from calves down. In the work front, there's the usual group of supporting cast made up of boss and co-workers, serving as a diversion. The focus however is on his relationship with a quiet girl who, although not as introvert as he, needs to do a little reaching out herself. That relationship, as recited in my summary line, is short and sweet, for the most part.
Stephane and Stephanie (yes!) are played by two wonderful actors, with equally wonderful chemistry. Gael Garcia Bernal, Pedro Almodovar's favourite actor, has become even more popular globally since "The motorcycle diaries". Charlotte Gainsbourg is essentially French although she has appeared in "21 grams". Not a conventional ravishing beauty, she has a very attractive quiet charm that you are unlikely to forget if you have watched any of her movies, such as "Lemming". Their roles in SOS might have been tailored-made for the two of them.
One interesting thing is that while this is a French movie, happening in Paris, 90 per cent of the dialogue is in English, as Stephane's mother tongue is Spanish and he speaks little French.
Although SOS does not have the complexity and soaring imagination of "Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind", it does have some nice touches of its own. The one I like best is a scene when she throws up to the ceiling some light, cotton-like substance, imagining them to be clouds. For a puzzling moment, he dashes towards the piano and bangs out various chords, very purposefully. It's not easy to suppress a smile when he finally hits upon the right chord, when you see all the "clouds" suspending from the ceiling.