‘Microbe & Gasoline’ Clip: Michel Gondry’s Charming Tale Of Teen Friendship
The U.S. rollout ofMicrobe & Gasolinehas been approaching so quietly, you’d be forgiven for not realizingMichel Gondryhad a new film at all. But he does, and it’s coming to our shores this weekend, and based on the footage we’ve seen so far it looks pretty damn adorable.
Ange DargentandThéophile Baquetplay Daniel and Théo, or as they are better known, Microbe and Gasoline. They’re teenagers in a Parisian suburb who feel like total outcasts until they find each other and become fast friends. Soon enough, the boys hatch a plan to run away from home in a ramshackle car constructed out of junk to look like a tiny cottage.Audrey Tautoualso stars, as Microbe’s mother. If you dig Gondry’s sweet, offbeat style, this looks like one worth checking out. Check out a newMicrobe and Gasolineclip below.
And if you want more where that came from, here’s the full-lengthMicrobe & Gasolinetrailer released several weeks ago.
It’s unclear whyMicrobe & Gasolineisn’t getting more attention in the U.S. It’s been attracting warm reviews on the festival circuit since last year. Gondry seems to have toned down some of his more fantastical flourishes, with excellent results.The Guardianhas deemedMicrobe & Gasolineto be Gondry’s “most satisfying film sinceEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” whileVarietycalls it “an admittedly small but wonderfully sincere portrait of two adolescent outsiders determined to pave their own way in the world.”
The Hollywood Reporternotes thatMicrobe & Gasolineseems more likely to appeal to “30-something nostalgia seekers rather than teens looking for a summer thrill ride.” Which may be just as well, since many actual teens won’t be able to see this film — it’s been rated R in the U.S. for “some sex-related material involving young teens.“Microbe & Gasolineopens this Friday,July 1in New York and Los Angeles, and will roll out to other markets across the country in the coming weeks. Keep an eye onthe official websiteto find out when it’s coming to you.
