If auds thought Gus Van Sant's "Gerry" and Vincent Gallo's "The Brown Bunny" were slow and pretentious, they should get a load of "Daft Punk's Electroma," an apparent homage to the aforementioned plus various other sci-fi pics. Fable about two robots who want to be human reps helming debut for Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter, better known as electro outfit Daft Punk, whose music and script formed the basis for 2003's "Interstella 5555." Helmers bizarrely choose not to use their own catchy tunes here, the one thing that might have given pic slim commercial legs.Sporting completely face-obscuring motorcycle helmets, credit-monikered Hero Robots No. 1 and No. 2 (Peter Hurteau, Michael Reich), drive through the desert to arrive at a town in Inyo County, Calif., where all the residents sport similar helmets, even babies. At a high-tech facility, scientists pour liquid latex over duo's helmets to make grotesque flesh-colored masks that anger locals. Pair finally go for long, fatal, "Gerry"-style trudge across salt flats. Although plot is risible and had aud at projection caught ankling in droves, lensing consistently impresses, especially last slo-mo shot of a flaming robot walking through blackness.
Camera (color), Bangalter; editor, Hervet; production designer, Steven Sinclair; robot and prosthetic effects, Alterian Inc. Reviewed at Cannes Film Festival (Directors Fortnight), May 21, 2006. Running time: 74 MIN.
