Is the Man Who Is Tall Happy? An Animated Conversation With Noam Chomsky

"Is the Man Who is Tall Happy? An Animated Conversation with Noam Chomsky" is the perfect movie for when you are in a certain mood - ready to listen, think and absorb. Filmmaker Michel Gondry sat down with philosopher/linguist/activist Noam Chomsky to ask questions about his ideas and his life. Don't be daunted, it's intelligent but not difficult to follow. Chomsky is a very clear communicator. Gondry has a harder time, with a very thick French accent. 

The language barrier becomes almost a character in the film, with some answers arising from his struggling to word the questions as he intends them in his head, which is a funny thing to happen in a film about a person who has spent his life in linguistics and the search for meaning. (Gondry also reveals some.of his own surrealist ideas come from his own misunderstandings of what people are saying.) It's all accompanied by a visually fun series of animations that are quite beautiful and enhance rather than distract. It reminds me of a study I read that said people who doodled in classes or meetings remembered the material better.

The style of it reminded me of the incredible "It's Such A Beautiful Day," the Don Hertzfeld animation, which I feel Gondry would appreciate and maybe even influenced this (both incorporate archaic film cameras). I am not sure I agree with the linguistic principle illustrated by the title, but it was a fascinating watch. Also, is Noam Chomsky tall?