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From the brilliant writers Michael Gondry (Be Kind Rewind) and Charlie Kaufman (Adaptation) comes Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind. The film is wonderfully written, and filled with things that will raise a brow. There is a flowing quality to this film, and while it may seem complex, it is not confusing. Some films are too much for some, but trust me when I tell you this is as clear as a film can get. Perhaps that is what makes this such an effective film.
This is the story of a solitary man by the name of Joel Barish (Jim Carrey) who happens to fall in love with the complete opposite Clementine Kruczynsky (Kate Winslet). Joel is quiet, reserved, shy, and not impulsive. Clementine is free spirited, talkative, and very impulsive. Still they manage to find a connection, but soon they start getting tired of each other. Joel makes a comment that breaks their relationship beyond repair, and Clementine leaves. Soon Joel realizes he misses her, and wants to reconcile only to find out Clementine has had a procedure erasing him from her memories.
Then he goes and gets the procedure done too, but during this, in his dreams he comes to understand that he truly loves her and can not do without her. So as his memories of her disintegrate he desperately uses his mind to save one last bit of her.
What I described above will not appear on the film conventionally. This film starts one way, moves another, and ends back the same way. This is not your grandmother’s narrative, but it works on many levels. This is a clever and innovative movie. I don’t think I have quite seen anything like it.
One thing this movie does so well is making us feel something for the characters. We fall in love with them, and as the last fragment of Clementine is being erased from Joel we sympathize for him. We too become engulfed in the dream, and reach for Clementine. That is one thing Kate Winslet is so good at, creating characters that are in many ways real people. With Clementine she brings a charisma and charm. I had a crush on Clementine. I wanted to be with her as much as Joel did. This is the most lovely role I have seen Kate Winslet take on, still with all her acting skills used to the maximum.
Also, I think it is safe to say that this is Jim Carrey’s best performance I have ever seen. The funny man is not only funny and great, but he can take on a serious role too. He is perfect for this role, he is the only Joel I could have imagined. He is awkward, and looks the part of the semi depressed lonely man that gets no amusement from life.
There is a dream quality to this film that makes it soar in beauty. I could not get it out of my head, and felt like I had dreamed everything. Yes, I felt like this movie was all just a dream. Not one that shakes you in your sleep and wakes you in the middle of the night, but one that leaves you wanting to stay in it more time. Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless mind is a dream of a movie, one that takes you on a simple yet lovely journey. This is the most unique and wonderful love story I have ever seen.
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind
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