Michael Gondry takes the audience on a whimsical ride in “The Science of Sleep,” a Warner indie film. But, do not be deceived by the title of this film, because the last thing you will be thinking about is falling asleep.

Gael Garcia Bernal stars as Stephane Miroux, a 20-something-year-old who, since he was a child, has confused reality with his dreams. He comes back to his childhood home after his father dies to a mundane job as a paste setter his mother has set up for him.

Stephane falls in love with his neighbor, Stephanie, setting off a series of events where, at times, it’s even difficult for the audience to decide if it’s real or fantasy.

Gondry for the first time translates his own screenplay to the big screen, and as in “The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” uses quirky characters to bring his movie to life.

Bernal (“Y Tu Mama Tambien” and “The Motorcycle Diaries”) is effective as a young man struggling with his insecurities and desires, but the true scene stealers are his co-workers, particularly Alain Chabat who plays Stephane’s horny confidante.

The movie works when Gondry is clear in his path for Stephane. The reality scenes work well mostly because of the chemistry and funny banter he uses between his characters.

Although trippy and fun to watch, the dream sequences are misleading in their importance. Ultimately I was asking why he was having this problem involving reality and fantasy. Does it have anything to do with his parents? Did something happen to him as a child to make him not want to face reality?

Gondry may want us to stay focused on the relationship of Stephane and Stephanie and how it may be the only thing that can put his dreams and reality to rest.

Credit should be given to Gondry’s imagination. Taking objects from Stephane and Stephanie’s relationship and then implementing them in Stephane’s dreams was artistically done, showing his growing love for her.

If you want a fun ride, with an ultimate meaning that you can connect with your loved one on an unconscious level, go see this movie. But, if you are a type-A personality who needs questions answered and plots with logical endings, perhaps this is not the movie for you.