Is the Man Who Is Tall Happy?

Director: Michel Gondry
Year Released: 2002
Rating: 2.0

In an unlikely meeting of two very different individuals, quirky filmmaker Gondry sits down with the great Noam Chomsky (in his office at M.I.T.) to discuss Chomsky's personal philosophy, his life and (mostly) his thoughts on linguistics. Having listened to talks by the professor over the years - largely his criticisms of U.S. foreign policy - I was looking forward to what he's have to say here, but Gondry keeps 'one-upping'/subverting Chomsky with his sometimes crude, sometimes clever animation: that Chomsky's genius shines through in bits is due to his rigorous analysis and insight and no thanks to the silly Michel and his precocious/pretentious sense of wonder. Also not helpful (although not Gondry's fault): the language barrier that exists between them - you'll never see me try to have a conversation with Julia Kristeva in French.