Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

My rating is more of a 4.5.Thanks for reading!"𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒕, 𝑱𝒐𝒆𝒍. 𝑰𝒕'𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒐𝒏.""𝑰 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘.""𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒅𝒐 𝒘𝒆 𝒅𝒐?""𝑬𝒏𝒋𝒐𝒚 𝒊𝒕."Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a 2004 American comedy-drama film written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Michel Gondry. It follows an estranged couple who have erased each other from their memories. The ensemble cast includes Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, and Tom Wilkinson.Using a non-linear means of narration to examine the nature of memories and love, the genius of Charlie Kaufman prevents ‘Eternal Sunshine…’ from being too difficult to follow. Context clues provided abound (and, not to mention funny enough, the color of Clementine's hair) assist in making viewers aware of what transitional period of the relationship between Clementine and Joel is currently taking center stage. In the grand scheme of things this technique becomes a self-referential reminder of the ways memories or the mere fragments of them can forcibly leak and insert themselves into our present-day experiences to their detriment. Most impressively: ‘Eternal Sunshine…’ manages to sneak surprises of their own for audience members despite starting from what could assumed as a conclusive point and working its way back to a beginning.Acting outside of their typical architects in Hollywood - Clementine and Joel are a force to be reckoned with. Joelle - helplessly jaded by the monotone tune of his existence - is brought to life by virtue of a beautifully nuanced and tame performance. Winslet embraces the free-spirited and eccentricity that encapsulates Clementine without indulging to a point of exhaustion. If I asked for one thing (and one thing only), I would have liked the implied complexity of their personalities and the emotions they conjure more smoothly and organically intertwined with one another. Because this is missing at times it is hard to offer empathy to characters so seemingly at odds with one another.It's fun, however, to imagine what people like Joel and Clementine bring to a table that becomes stained with disaffection. If you close your eyes you can imagine someone like them in your parameter: their influences defined by a desire for isolation and a yearning for meaningful connections in equal (but always changing) amounts. In recognizing their own faults over time it's easy to understand how their company can lead to eventually letting down their own guard. In Joel I see structure in the sense of stability. in Clementine I see hints of acceptance so rarely executed in stride. I see two beings so strongly constrained by their own anxieties and flawsMost importantly: I see two people so deserving of happiness and love.The ending requires some amount of subplots to justify its means, but I am sorry to say that some of the exposition and points of contention feel largely undeveloped. Why is the audience made to witness Patrick's awkward attempts to appease Clementine and earn her affections? Why include platonically intimate interactions taking place between the individuals responsible for wiping Joel's memory away? If given a few days I'm sure I could find a reason these relationships are given the time they are allowed, but only one is truly needed to steer ‘Eternal Sunshine…’ towards its conclusion.(Sidenote - I think I'm starting to connect the dots here in that these relationships help to reinforce the idea of Clementine “not being” a concept and incapable of making someone else whole by simply existing. Let’s chat about it in the comments if you have your own thoughts.)Outside of commentary that suggests the erasing of memories isn't the key to happiness, Eternal Sunshine…’ encourages thoughts and introspections with greater real world applications. As Joel's recollections of Clementine fall apart I find myself wondering - do Joel and Clementine even want to be memorable people? Is it possible that overtime the possibility of being forgotten can mean just as much as the desire to be remembered? I look inside of myself to deduce some amount of merit in this regard, but the prevarication injected and witnessed as a coping mechanism of sorts makes me feel justified in doing so.The Merry-Go-Round of memory is capable of taking a variety of structures built to evoke the feelings most often associated with them.At times a haunted carnival: Uncomfortable. Terrifying. Without mercy or remorse.During others a house of mirrors: Confusing. Provocative. Endlessly questionable and ambiguous.Most often though: It's both of these things and neither of them at the same time.I simply thank ‘Eternal Sunshine…’ for this much needed reminder.I would recommend.

To consider the position of Charlie Kaufman in the Hollywood universe look at the career M. Night Shyamalan. Once you successfully trick your audience in a film they laugh and then demand that you do it again...and again...and again. Shyamalan's latest film, "The Village," got trashed by a lot of people because it did the surprises were not good enough. Having written "Being John Malkovich," "Adaptation," and "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," and facing the daunting prospect of doing it again, Kaufman came up with "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." To be fair, the idea came was given to Kaufman by director Michel Gondry, who got from his friend, the artist Pierre Bismuth, the idea of getting a card in the mail that says "You have been erased from someone's memory." But it was Kaufman who came up with the story."Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is much more of a love story than anything Kaufman has written before, even with the writer's twisted view. The title is taken from Alexander Pope's poem "Eloisa to Abelard," and the story is of Joel Barish (Jim Carrey), who discovers that his ex-girlfriend Clementine Kruczynski (Kate Winslet) is not merely pretending not to know who he is, but has actually had her memories of him wiped clean. After going through brief periods of disbelief and outrage, Joel demands that Dr. Howard Mierzwiak (Tom Wilkinson) wipe his memory as well. But while he is going through the process and he relives the memories that are being erased, Joel has second thoughts. However, since he is "under" the process what can he do to save his precious memories?Most of this movie takes place while Joel undergoes the process. The procedure is taking place at an apartment rather than at the office, where Joel is supposed to be monitored by a pair of Mierzwiak's assistants. However, Stan (Mark Ruffalo) is too busy jumping around on the bed with Mary (Kirsten Dunst) while they are both in their underwear. Meanwhile, Patrick (Elijah Wood) has gotten a crush on Clementine and is using some of Joel's choice memories to impress her. As his memories of the good times with Clementine are swept away one by one, Joel tries to find a way to fight back. Then the Clementine of his memories suggests she take him into other memories where she never was so that they can hide out. This is when Stan discovers that Joel has gone "off the map" and has to summon Dr. Mierzwiak to save the day.The attractive moral here is quite simple: love might be forgettable, but it is still indestructible. Obviously this film is all about memories and the mind, but it also argues the importance of the heart. You have to pay attention to this film because Joel Barish has become unstuck in his memories and once they start to fuse and merge things can get a bit confusing. There are memories that are being remembered, altered, and forgotten, and sometimes they come fast and furious. Still, I think that having cut our teeth on "Pulp Fiction," "Memento," and other films that play fast and loose with the idea of narrative chronology, audiences are more willing to except the roller coaster ride of this 2004 film than they would have a decade ago.Carey's performance is one of his best. We know full well that he can do dramatic roles, but this time he is doing a markedly better job of stripping away even more of his standard mannerisms and vocal affectations, so that you have no trouble thinking this is Joel. I actually enjoy his dramatic films more than his wild and crazy guy efforts, so I hope the actor finds the positive responses to this role encouraging. The character of Clementine is a free spirit, but since Winslet is playing her there is a sense of weight that you would not get with another actress (e.g., Kate Hudson). That becomes a key reason for us to hope these two find each other again, even if they do not remember who the other one is any more. But in the end it is Kaufman's story that carries this film, which is one of the most unusual love stories you will have ever seen. You can only wonder what Kaufman will come up with next (no idea of the plot, but the director will be Spike Jonze again as it was on "Adaptation").

I’ve loved this movie since the first time I saw it years ago. Jim Carrey is one of my favorite actors/comedians, so that got me to watch it by just knowing he was in it alone. What it showed me was his range as an actor. He’s mostly know for his comedic portrayals like Ace Ventura or Lloyd Christmas, so to see him in a dramatic role was a very pleasant surprise. The whole cast was great and the movies themes of letting someone go, and how far someone would go to forget is pretty memorable to watch. This is one of my favorites and will continue to be. I highly recommend it.

Great movie. Heartbreaking at times, and lovely at other times. One of my all time favs.

I love the main characters and the main plot line, it made me cry within 5 minutes.The weird side plot with the doctor and nurses is odd to me though, and doesn't seem to add much except for at the end

I think Jim Carrey is a huge talent. His comedy roles are generally superb and I don't think that many of them could have been performed better by any other comedy actor, so when I say that I think this "straight?" role could be his finest work, it shows how much I rate this performance. I've watched this maybe half a dozen times since it's release and it still holds up as a tremendously enjoyable film. Kate Winslet is also superb and their screen chemistry is very convincing. Great story and visually clever it manages to be both thought provoking and emotional while remaining entertaining. By the end of the film you feel you have been treated like an adult and the film has a certain lightness of touch which really works for this story. Highly recommended.

Not only did this arrive early. It also came with a screen play of movie. Not supposed to be in there but accept it gladly. Great film 2 disc version with bonus extras.

From what I can tell, this is Charlie Kaufman's take on the philosophy of Love and Memory. Kaufman handles it with an incredible level of creativity and Michael Gondry (the director) renders his words with equally incredible beauty.This is a smart love story. It isn't just about two people getting together under some strange circumstances and falling for each other and some string of conflicts tests their relationshop and it all works out at the end. No, this is Charlie's Kaufman's love story, of course it's nothing like that.It's brings up so many different ideas concerning relationships and memory, and how Kaufman ties it all together is, can't say this enough, incredible.The cast also does a fine job with their respective roles.If you've ever seen any of Michael Gondry's work, you'll know what to expect here. If you haven't, it's deliciously clever stuff.The extras are okay. I would've loved to know more about Kaufman's and Gondry's creative process, you know, see them discuss their ideas more in-depth, but as it is, it's not bad.

Might need to be watched a couple of times, there's an AWFUL lot going on in this film. Said to be Kate Winslet's favourite, you can see why. Well-acted, a rather unique story, very thought-provoking. Great SFX too

Beautiful film . Loved it from from start to finish .a powerful , moving piece. Anyone who has had a rocky relationship with someone they care deeply about will be particularly capiitvated by the central concept of this movie. Carreys best non comic performance .