Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From acclaimed writer Charlie Kaufman and visionary director Michel Gondry comes Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. An all-star ensemble cast shines in this comical and poignant look at breakups, breakdowns and breakthroughs. Joel (Jim Carrey) is stunned to discover that his girlfriend, Clementine (Kate Winslet), has had their tumultuous relationship erased from her mind. Out of desperation, he contacts the inventor of the process, Dr. Howard Mierzwiak (Tom Wilkinson), to get the same treatment. But as his memories of Clementine begin to fade, Joel suddenly realizes how much he still loves her. Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo and Elijah Wood co-star in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - a memorable film that The Wall Street Journal calls "a romantic comedy unlike any other!"
Member Reviews
This is the first Jim Carey movie I have liked... - Forester
...mainly because he doesn't act like the "Jim Carey" we know from his previous movies. Well, there are a few scenes where he can't help but regress in Carey-ness (i.e., stupidity) but other wise it is a cleverly written and directed movie. It did not evoke an emotion but it did make me scratch my head and think. It is certainly a fresh twist on a romantic comedy that may be tolerable for most guys compared with the run-of-the-mill "romantic comedies" that Hollywood churns out.“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” - RoddyPiper
The film has a potent originality, reminding me of other favourites (like Groundhog Day), and that would have been reason enough to enjoy it. But it has much more to offer:
The film provides an interesting analogy to Santayana’s famous saying about the past– so: “those who surgically remove the painful memories from their past are condemned to re-live them.”
We see how memory is the basis of our character, and that with its loss we start to disappear as human beings -- as Alzheimer’s disease shows us so tragically.
Then there is the excellent satire on how companies hijack science to deliver new products to market. Here a technique of brain damage is sold as a way of removing painful memories from the mind, and apart from the serious metaphysical implications of this application (which of course is never relevant to big pharma’s safety testing), we have the inevitable bungling of theory when it is put into practice. So a nerd technician may try to perform the intricate but boring technique of brain tissue deletion while having intercourse with a girlfriend. How realistic!
In another fascinating concept, we see the defense mechanisms against memory loss attempted by clients: such as holding on to “good” memories that are intertwined with the painful ones, by wrapping the good parts inside completely unrelated life history – what a wonderful explanation of how some of our painful recollections turn out to have strange bedfellows!
An analysis of human memory in the guise of comedy sci-fi . . . good stuff!Lots going on in Kaufman's "...Spotless Mind" - Director_Sips
A gripping film on screen that is presented in one the most visually stunning, superbly acted, and provocatively imaginative ways of storytelling. Charlie Kaufman's mind is complex, sometimes weird, but most times insightfully refreshing. After "Being John Malkovich" and "Adaptation" Kaufman still has something interesting to share with humanity in his film, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind".
I doubt that anyone has added this title to their ZipList without first reading or knowing a little background on what this film with such a peculiar title is all about. But for the lucky few who haven't heard or read anything about this film - don't start just yet.
See this film for yourself with a clear mind, a Spotless Mind as it may. You will ultimately get the most that this film has to offer. I watched this film without any conscious idea as to where this thought provoking film would go or how I would get there. People with open minds will experience this film and walk away thinking about possibilities of the lessons learned and how they can use this knowledge to better their own relationships with others.
I know I'm being vague, but I find that it is best not to reveal, even in minor details, what happens and especially why. Real life doesn't happen like this. We don't know what will happen next and so too should you experience this non-linear story about Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) and the choices they make.
This film is all about Joel which Carrey beautifully shows in every frame with precision. This is when acting is no longer presented on screen to the audience but the illusion that the actor IS the character. Carrey knows when the scene calls for realisation and understanding for the introverted and fragile Joel, and steps it up to the right beat to make it believable on many subconcious levels. He also knows when to allow for his fellow actor, Winslet, to carry the scene when it is a moment in the fi
Member Reviews
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This is the first Jim Carey movie I have liked... - Forester
...mainly because he doesn't act like the "Jim Carey" we know from his previous movies. Well, there are a few scenes where he can't help but regress in Carey-ness (i.e., stupidity) but other wise it is a cleverly written and directed movie. It did not evoke ...“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” - RoddyPiper
The film has a potent originality, reminding me of other favourites (like Groundhog Day), and that would have been reason enough to enjoy it. But it has much more to offer:
The film provides an interesting analogy to Santayana’s famous saying about ...Lots going on in Kaufman's "...Spotless Mind" - Director_Sips
A gripping film on screen that is presented in one the most visually stunning, superbly acted, and provocatively imaginative ways of storytelling. Charlie Kaufman's mind is complex, sometimes weird, but most times insightfully refreshing. After "Being John ...