Today’s quick review: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Following a messy breakup, Joel (Jim Carrey) learns that his girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) has undergone a medical procedure to erase all memories of him from her mind. Out of spite, Joel signs up for the same treatment, hoping to forget their two-year relationship. But as the procedure takes him back through their time together, Joel begins to have second thoughts about forgetting.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a surreal romantic comedy from writer Charlie Kaufman. The movie is an autopsy of a relationship, which plays out in reverse as Joel’s memories of Clementine are stripped from him. Trapped in his own mind during the process, Joel struggles to cling to a few of the better memories before they’re erased for good. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is an imaginative, amusing, and often touching story.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind backs its creative premise with skillful execution. The story hits every emotional beat it needs to, from the acrimony of a bad breakup to the wistful nostalgia of early love. The film also has a touch of mystery to it, courtesy of backwards presentation style, as well as a healthy dose of comedy from its characters and situations. The movie never loses its sense of optimism or its forward momentum.
The story is brought to life by a talented cast. Jim Carrey stars as Joel, an ordinary man caught in a dying relationship with Clementine, an impulsive, vivacious woman who once lit up his dreary life. Carrey and Winslet balance each other well, each taking equal blame for what went right and wrong in their relationship. They are joined by a colorful supporting cast that includes Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, Kirsten Dunst, and Tom Wilkinson.
To its credit, the movie does not rely on Joel and Clementine specifically to make its story work. The characters are well-drawn and distinctive, but liking them personally isn’t a prerequisite for liking the story. The situation Joel finds himself in is enough to capture the viewer’s interest on its own, regardless of whether his quirky relationship with Clementine resonates. The movie offers more than just one relationship between two people.
The last ingredient that makes the film a success is its direction. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind uses a wide variety of tricks to capture the disorientation of Joel getting caught in his own memories as they’re being erased. Scenes collide with one another, objects disappear as they’re erased, and the real world comes crashing in a dreamlike medley of sights, sounds, and illogic. These techniques keep the film interesting from start to finish.
Watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind when you’re in the mood for something creative, thoughtful, and uplifting. Its unique premise, interesting presentation style, and quality of acting and writing make it an excellent pick for a wide variety of viewers. Romantic comedy fans in particular will find it to be an unusual entry into the genre, but almost anyone will find something to love among its story, its characters, or its sense of humor.
For another unconventional, weighty comedy starring Jim Carrey, try The Truman Show. For a fantasy action adventure with a similar romance, try Scott Pilgrim vs the World. For another romantic comedy about a bad breakup, try High Fidelity. For another surreal comedy from the same writer, try Being John Malkovich. For a darker, more nightmarishly surreal drama that uses some of the same techniques, try A Scanner Darkly or Requiem for a Dream.
8.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for an excellent story and charming execution.