IS THE MAN WHO IS TALL HAPPY?

 

THE PLOT THUS FAR

From Michel Gondry, the innovative director of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep, comes this unique animated documentary on the life of controversial MIT professor, philosopher, linguist, anti-war activist and political firebrand Noam Chomsky. Through complex, lively conversations with Chomsky and brilliant illustrations by Gondry himself, the film reveals the life and work of the father of modern linguistics while also exploring his theories on the emergence of language. The result is not only a dazzling, vital portrait of one of the foremost thinkers of modern times, but also a beautifully animated work of art.

WHAT WE THOUGHT

“Is The Man Who is Tall Happy” served up a very important lesson for me this Spring. Just because you want to see a documentary that’s getting a terrible release pattern, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be good. It’s not like I live in a tiny city, but I know that we get passed over a lot by various indie outfits. Ultimately, I saw it at a retrofitted dollar house that is now trying to show more arthouse flicks. Unfortunately, what I got was avant-garde animation mixed together with Chomsky recycling his greatest hits.

Gondry is one of my favorite living directors. However, he does all he can to draw out the merits of linguistic theory from Chomsky. Chomsky has become more of a self promoter than scholar and this works shows that transition in spades. When he starts droning on about things, you can’t help but feel that Gondry is tuning out. He frequently mentions that he has trouble with the English and feels stupid. But, it’s not like Chomsky is giving him anything to mold.

The DVD comes with featurettes, interviews and a trailer as the special feature. The A/V Quality is pretty strong, but the aspect ratio shift got old. I get why Gondry shot most of it in 4:3. However, the Dolby track played weak and the small aspect ratio only made it harder to understand. In the end, I’d only recommend a purchase to Gondry and Chomsky superfans.

RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!