Michel Gondry is one of the most sought-after and ‘trendy’ film directors out there, yet other than Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind he’s failed to produce a film that can be classed as great. Whilst Be Kind Rewind and The Science of Sleep have their moments he’s yet to reproduce that magic for the entirety of a whole film. Unfortunately, the same can be said about his latest film, Mood Indigo, which despite all its cleverness and ingenuity, is too impregnable and flimsy.
Colin (Romain Duris) has a comfortable life, affluent enough not work, he lives in his peculiar house with his chef, mentor and life coach Nicolas (Omar Sy) along with his inventions. His best friend, Chick (Gad Elmaleh) is obsessed with writer and guru Jean-Sol Partre (Philippe Torreton) and falls for Nicolas’ niece Alise (Aïssa Maïga). Colin bemoans his lack of success with women until he’s introduced to Chloé (Audrey Tautou), and whilst there’s an instant attraction, it seems their love is not destined for a happy ending.
There’s something seriously lacking in Mood Indigo. Despite all its aesthetic charms and impressive acting talent on show, it’s really hard to care about any of the characters or invest in what’s happening on screen. It’s not until the final twenty minutes or so that everything clicks; the final section is truly magical. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an interesting watch, but the Frenchman seems to be stuck in the trap inhabited by Terry Gilliam. It’s not just about the visuals; you need a script to match.
Mood Indigo is out in cinemas now.
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