This is the latest from fanciful French director Jean-Pierre Jeunet and it exhibits many of his signature flourishes: quirky characters, rich visuals and momentary flights of fantasy. Spivet is a brilliant 10-year-old boy who invents the perpetual motion machine and travels across the country by himself to receive an award from the Smithsonian. After a setup on his family farm in Montana, the mildly adventurous trip cross country ends up with his celebration in DC. The performances are engaging and the creativity is undeniable, but it sometimes feels more forced than delightful. It’s a bit bland and takes too long, but not without some cinematic charm. NOTE: Local proco The Branching is listed in the credits (no word on what they actually did yet). (Criterion Cinema only)
(3 / 5)