10 year old T.S. Spivet lives on a remote Montana ranch. His father (Callum Keith Rennie) is an old fashion cowboy. His mother Dr. Clair (Helena Bonham Carter) has a rambling set of interests. His sister Gracie is eager to leave home where the only traffic comes from the passing trains. Ms. Jibsen (Judy Davis) from the Smithsonian calls to tell him that he won the prestigious Baird prize for a perpetual motion machine expecting an older scientist. He pretends to be speaking for his father and runs away to Washington D.C. riding the rails.Jean-Pierre Jeunet directed one of my favorite movies, Amélie. In that movie, he is able to use Paris' romanticism for his surreal touches. In this movie, he's a bit lost. He's out of his elements. The kid is fine but nothing more. The surreal touches remain. Sometimes it's fun like the fake RV family. Other times, it's out of place and really out of time. That ranch exists only in old movies. The brother is another issue that needs clarity earlier. It's not a thing to have a revelation. Jeunet's style of movie making needs a level of unreality which clashes with this story. At times, it makes this movie look cheap. I had higher hopes.

Let me make it clear, The Young And Prodigious T.S. Spivet is not a revolutionary film. It's still great and you should watch it.10-year old Tecumseh Sparrov Spivet is a young genius living on a ranch in Montana. His parents, entomologist (insect researcher) mother and rancher father don't think much of him, preferring his less smart but more cowboying-prone brother and his angsty teen sister.One day, TS sends to the Smithsonian Institute his schematic for a Perpetual Motion Engine, thus winning the Baird Prize. Now TS has to set off all on his own, to journey to Washington, of D.C., to receive his prize.Very easy script, everything else in this film is a joy to behold. The acting is very natural, the dialogue is excellent, the photography is stellar, direction is on point, the pacing is perfect, the characters are interesting, and while the script might be nothing revolutionary, everything is done so absolutely faultlessly, that you cannot fail to love this film.The film has moments of surrealism, but nothing stranger than the typical daydreamings we've all had when we were 10 years old. The story itself stay on track for the whole film, with the aforementioned perfect pacing. There are .. "emotional" moments, but nothing soppy or that drags on. This is very much a film about human existence, and yet it is successful in masquerading as the heroic adventures of a 10- year old kid.I recommend The Prodigious TS Spivet to everyone; aside from the top-notch cinematography, it has something for everyone, from the old to the very young.My vote: 8/10 - excellent film, superbly made.

What a surprise to me- I was expecting another European artsy movie that does not go anywhere. I am European and generally sick of this kind of movies especially from France that bore me to tears. Instead I saw an entertaining movie, full of wonderful filmmaking, touching story and interesting characters. The story is told with an incredible focus on details and beautiful imagery. This is definitely an emotional story carried by kid actors that could have gone terribly wrong. For my taste Mr. Jeunet found a very tasteful way to direct the cast through the potential pitfalls of the story. The story is out there in a fantasy world combined with National Geographic Imagery- great combination. I am sure not for everyone but it worked for me. Chapeau monsieur Jeunet.

There's a few things you can guarantee with a Jean-Pierre Jeunet film. It'll have a quirky network of characters, the titular protagonist will have a unique perspective on the little things, the sprightly cinematography will burst off the screen, the score will be a treat, and Dominique Pinon will appear. The Young and Prodigious T.S. Spivet is a surprisingly under the radar release for such a big name director. It's a harmless film, but that perhaps works against it. Jeunet always worked best in the contrast of his sweetness and darkness. It does have a touch of it, and is easily the strongest aspect of the film, but it's not enough to satisfy. Adapted from a children's book, it's expectedly neutered for him. The goal isn't very believable and the obstacles are idle threats. It's fine, it's still entertaining, but not enough to make an impression. There's a strong emotional undercurrent that occasionally pops up about dealing with loss - it's a textbook hook, but one that works. If only it stopped off at more engaging places along the way.7/10