As a writer myself I have a great admiration for Eternal Sunshine's screenwriter Charlie Kauffman, a man who has yet to produce anything less than stellar. He seems to have an erie understanding of internal conflicts with our emotions and in Eternal Sunshine for the Spotless Mind, Kauffman nails it the best.
Our story really starts when Joel Barrish, played wonderfully by an unusually quiet and reserved Jim Carrey, finds out his girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) has erased him from her memory. Joel, both confused and angry, goes to Lacuna the company who offers this proceedure so that he himself can also have the procedure done. During which Joel realizes while he is mad, he still cherishes the memories he shares with Clementine and he does everything he can to keep them.
Jim Carrey turns in a beautiful and quiet preformance that is truly key for making this film work. As we progress through the film we see more and more of Joel and Clementine's relationship and when Joel starts to fight to keep these memories we fully understand why.
When Joel cries we feel it, when he struggles we feel it, when he's frustrated we feel it. Perfect job by Jim.
Kate Winslet is the other piece of the puzzle as the lovable although abraisive girlfriend who often fears closeness and when she meets someone she loves, she often pushes them away with brutal personal attacks. One would think this person would not be worth fighting for, but when seen through Joel's eyes she is beautiful and ultimately his balance. Kate Winslet as always has another preformance of a lifetime.
The supporting cast is very strong with Mark Ruffalo & Elijah Wood as two technitions doing the "erasing" of Joel's memories. Kirsten Dunst as a charming receptionist and Ruffalo's love interest, but has her own love for Tom Wilkinson's character, who is there boss. And of course the film is so wonderful because of this supporting cast as they all have a wonderfully messed up life too.
In conclusion you can erase what your mind thinks, but you can't erase what the heart feels.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a near perfect film and truly earns it's
4 1/2 out 5
- Loving his memories
Thing 2
poem - so maybe i have feelings too
17 years ago
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