Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind (2004)
While fooling around on the set, Jim decided to erase Pet Detective 2, long story short he's now living in Utah under a witness protection program.
Starring: |
Jim Carrey |
Released By: |
Focus Features |
Released In: |
2004 |
Rated: |
R |
Reviewed By: |
Adam Mast |
Grade: |
A |
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind the Boneman got to see before me. Yes while I was taking in a screening of the sporadically entertaining yet shallowly written Dawn of the Dead, my good friend the Boneman was experiencing what will surely be one of the best films of the year, and quite possibly, the decade. Both of our screenings ended around the same time, and upon talking to the Boneman in the lobby, it was clear that he was blown away by the film because he was...speechless. After a few moments of exhilirating silence, he went on to explain to me that this is quite possibly the best film of the century--granted it is only 2004 so there's still a long way to go. You can read his shining review among the responses below.
A couple of weeks ago, I raved about screenwriters David Mamet, Quentin Tarantino and Steven Zaillian. Clearly, Charlie Kaufman deserves a spot on this list (a list that probably would have also included his brother Donald had he not passed away all too soon). Kaufman began writing for television (notable credits include Get a Life and The Drew Carey Show). He then went on to write Human Nature, but it wasn't until Being John Malkovich that he really started to garner attention. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Kaufman would dazzle the industry and film goers everywhere with his innovative screenplays for Adaptation and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. True, much of his work is not everyone's cup of tea. The previously mentioned works are offbeat to say the least, but if your up to the challenge, the're definitely worth a look.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind emerges as the writer's best work because (unlike Being John Malkovich and Adaptation which took drastic direction changes in their final acts), tonally speaking, it's the most consistent. But more importantly, it's a film that most of us can really identify with because it's about that unpredictable thing called love.
I don't want to get to much into the plot because to do so would ruin all the wonderful, unexpected surprises of this richly textured, innovative piece of art. Not to mention that I would take the rather large risk of confusing the hell out of all you readers out there.
In reality, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is far more simplistic than recent reviews and the brilliant trailers suggest. There certainly is a kind of complexity to it all, but ultimately, the movie is easy to digest.
Jim Carrey is the intellectual but socially awkward Joel Barish, a man who is, without warning, bitten by the love bug when he meets the lovably eccentric and carefree Clementine Kruczyaski (played wonderfully by Kate Winslet). The two immediately fall for one another, but as is the case in many relationships, things slowly begin to sour. In an attempt to forget about Joel and move on with her troubled life, Clementine seeks out a rather unorthodox method to rid herself of the heartache. Unable to cope with the unbearable pain himself, Joel seeks the same method, only things don't quite turn out the way he had anticipated.
Jim Carrey has proven himself to be a surprisingly effective dramatic actor, and I would call this performance a milestone in his career. He's very quiet and his moments of internal suffering are painfully real. This is a side of Carrey we haven't seen before, and I applaud his understated work here. Winslet is equally effective as a woman who is easily annoyed and seeks attention in ways that many might consider unhealthy. Her Clementine has an energy and spirit that, along with a brilliant Carrey, bring this zany, surreal, heartbreaking movie to life. And while these two are the focal point of the movie, there are other relationships to be found in the form of outstanding supporting players Mark Ruffalo, Kirsten Dunst, Tom Wilkinson and Elijah Wood.
Kaufman's screenplay is incredibly observant and he appears to have a grasp on all of the components--big and small--that make relationships work and fall apart. Director Michael Gondry (who also directed Kaufman's Human Nature) is a true craftsman. His stylistic techniques are flawless. Much of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind unfolds like a series of memories. In other words, there is a certain fragmented style here, but everything always makes sense. And I have to say, I was blown away by the numerous transition shots that take us from one memory to the next. But while visually stunning, this picture is always a character study first and foremost.
And check out the interesting use of music. Songwriter Jon Brion (he's worked with the likes of Aimee Mann) has fashioned an odd, unique, but very appropriate score, and even Beck gets in on the action with a perfectly fitting tune called "Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometimes." The soundtrack also includes outstanding songs from The Willowz and The Polyphonic Spree.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is sweet, honest, heartbreaking and challenging. It's also very unpredictable. I must confess, I had no idea where the movie was headed, but when the end arrived, it was perfectly clear that these two souls had learned from their mistakes but not quite in the way they (or we) were expecting.
Usually, when a film is hyped up to me by someone I respect (or otherwise), I'm set up for a letdown. The Boneman is someone I respect, and as much as he built this picture up, I was still blown away by it. Chances are, you will be too.
This is the sort of profound piece of film making that will be studied and viewed over and over. I've already seen it twice and can't wait to see it again. The year is early, but add Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind to that short list thus far, of movies that will be among the best of 2004
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