A film by Michel Gondry
From the very creative mind of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman comes "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", one of the best movies of 2004. The narrative is kind of disjointed, but that is par for the course with a Kaufman script. The first scenes of the movie are really from quite a bit later chronologically, but at first we do not know quite how these first scenes fit into the story or why. Not long into the movie we learn that Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) had a relationship, but when it ended Clementine decided to have a new procedure done which can remove a person's memories of another person (or another thing). So, as far as Clementine now knows, she and Joel have never met. When Joel learns about this he has the same procedure done to remove all memories of Clementine.
At this point, the movie loses all sense of chronology, but it is makes more sense. The following scenes are Joel's memories as they are being erased, so his unconscious is reliving the memories and remembering both the good and the bad of his relationship with Clementine. At some point Joel decides that these are memories he doesn't want to lose. "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is a very original look at love and relationships and what it could mean to really try and make a relationship work. The film is uncompromising in how it reveals Joel and Clementine, but at the same time it is very tender and sweet. Co-starring Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, and Kirstin Dunst, the movie never makes a wrong turn. With a subject that could easily have mad a very bad movie, Michel Gondry instead makes a very good one. In a refreshing change of pace Jim Carrey plays the straight man to Kate Winslet's far crazier Clementine.
"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is one of the most original, well acted, and simply excellent movies of the year. It deserves a place on any critics Top 10 list and is well worth watching. Grade: A-
From the very creative mind of screenwriter Charlie Kaufman comes "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", one of the best movies of 2004. The narrative is kind of disjointed, but that is par for the course with a Kaufman script. The first scenes of the movie are really from quite a bit later chronologically, but at first we do not know quite how these first scenes fit into the story or why. Not long into the movie we learn that Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) had a relationship, but when it ended Clementine decided to have a new procedure done which can remove a person's memories of another person (or another thing). So, as far as Clementine now knows, she and Joel have never met. When Joel learns about this he has the same procedure done to remove all memories of Clementine.
At this point, the movie loses all sense of chronology, but it is makes more sense. The following scenes are Joel's memories as they are being erased, so his unconscious is reliving the memories and remembering both the good and the bad of his relationship with Clementine. At some point Joel decides that these are memories he doesn't want to lose. "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is a very original look at love and relationships and what it could mean to really try and make a relationship work. The film is uncompromising in how it reveals Joel and Clementine, but at the same time it is very tender and sweet. Co-starring Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, and Kirstin Dunst, the movie never makes a wrong turn. With a subject that could easily have mad a very bad movie, Michel Gondry instead makes a very good one. In a refreshing change of pace Jim Carrey plays the straight man to Kate Winslet's far crazier Clementine.
"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is one of the most original, well acted, and simply excellent movies of the year. It deserves a place on any critics Top 10 list and is well worth watching. Grade: A-
Well Pug, I stopped at a Blockbuster on the other side of town and they actually had it! So I picked it up (with Big Fish, another great one) for 2 for $20. Came straight home and watched it....
This movie is incredible. I can say without a doubt that this is one of the best movies I have ever seen. It had been hyped up by everyone that had seen it, and I was so worried that it wouldn't live up to my high expectations. I saw the previews in the theatre a year ago and it just looked like something I could not afford to miss. This is probably a movie to which everyone can relate. The acting is excellent, and the emotion is overwhelming at times. I find that normally it's extremely hard for a movie to really make you experience the emotions, but Eternal Sunshine does it for a solid 100+ minutes. I honestly don't know how to describe it, other than saying that I was blown away by this movie. While it's still fresh in my mind, I hate to say definitely, but it is possibly the greatest film I've seen.
Grade: A+
This movie is incredible. I can say without a doubt that this is one of the best movies I have ever seen. It had been hyped up by everyone that had seen it, and I was so worried that it wouldn't live up to my high expectations. I saw the previews in the theatre a year ago and it just looked like something I could not afford to miss. This is probably a movie to which everyone can relate. The acting is excellent, and the emotion is overwhelming at times. I find that normally it's extremely hard for a movie to really make you experience the emotions, but Eternal Sunshine does it for a solid 100+ minutes. I honestly don't know how to describe it, other than saying that I was blown away by this movie. While it's still fresh in my mind, I hate to say definitely, but it is possibly the greatest film I've seen.
Grade: A+
OK, I'm game. Added to NetFlix.
I love it. It's one I don't mind seeing again and again.
This movie puts Jim Carrey right up there with some of the greatest actors of all time. He exhibited none of his old and tired comedic schtick earlier in his career. It was the perfect role for him. Kate Winslett was phenomenal.
This movie puts Jim Carrey right up there with some of the greatest actors of all time. He exhibited none of his old and tired comedic schtick earlier in his career. It was the perfect role for him. Kate Winslett was phenomenal.
I REALLY liked this one too! Saw it a couple weeks ago. A+
ok, i saw this movie.
very good acting. kate winslet was outstanding. jim carrey did a good job as well.
the plotline was very interesting but, for some reason, this movie creeped me out. all that mind stuff, all those erasures, all those memories, all that dream-like stuff --- i know it was just a fantasy but those headgames were getting to me. 8O