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Eternal Sunshine of the spotless Mind
(Michel Gondry)
"Best film of 2004"
Joel (Jim Carrey) is a rather milquetoast man who meets up with free spirit Clementine (Kate Winslet), and they become romantically involved. However, they endure a messy breakup and Clementine goes to a business called Lacuna, Inc., where she has all of her memories of Joel erased. Not wanting to be left out, Joel also goes to have his memory erased. However, soon after it begins, Joel realizes that he wants to keep the memory of Clementine, so he tries to reverse the process.
Well, if you're familiar with Kaufman's work, then you know what your getting yourself into. This is just as weird if not weirder then his previous work (maybe even John Malkovich). Anyways, I knew what I was getting myself into, but 90% of the movie I was saying to myself "What the f*ck", but in a good way. It opens with Joel calling in sick for work and going on a different train and meeting Clementine, they hit it off, now this is about 15 minutes into the movie, then out of nowhere come the credits for the opening. I will admit, I thought it would be different, but I'm glad that it is the way it is, the movie is 80% of the time in Joel's head.
If you think you know Carrey, think again. This movie is his best performance, better than Majestic, Truman show and all of his comedic roles (which is what I love him for). Just looking at his face from the second we see him, we feel his pain, then like that, we feel his joy, embarrassment, hate. Just amazing acting on his part, and Winslet was great as well with her warm heart, and sky high spirit throughout the film, she is the perfect counter-weight to Joel.. Everybody, Wood, Dunsts, and so on, just add to the emotion on the screen. I can see at least one Oscar nomination for acting(hope).
But if I were to bet any money on any Oscar nominations it would obviously be the writing, what a mess, but beautifully constructed. You think to yourself, is that scene really necessary but everything is so out of it, that you think later on that it does, that's beautiful, crazy, give me whatever he's smoking kind of writing. Charlie Kaufman's writing is always clever, but this time he's one-upped himself by making something not only bizarre, but emotionally engaging. It seemed like his earlier movies were clever for the sake of cleverness, but 'Eternal Sunshine' manages to dazzle you with it's originality and it's poignancy. The fact that this movie was able to wrap such profound loss, emotional tenderness, and hope in such a self-consciously stylized package illustrates the incredible talent of the people behind it.
Michel Gondry's use of colours and quick camera movement give the film a very involving first hand feeling. The constant use of the handy cam is very all involving for the viewer, and I suppose that this is exactly what is needed in such a personal movie. His work on the dream sequences is incredible as well.
One fault with it, would have to be the last minute of the film, the fade to white and the same scene playing over and over did nothing for the film, except take away from it.
9.5/10
(Michel Gondry)
"Best film of 2004"
Joel (Jim Carrey) is a rather milquetoast man who meets up with free spirit Clementine (Kate Winslet), and they become romantically involved. However, they endure a messy breakup and Clementine goes to a business called Lacuna, Inc., where she has all of her memories of Joel erased. Not wanting to be left out, Joel also goes to have his memory erased. However, soon after it begins, Joel realizes that he wants to keep the memory of Clementine, so he tries to reverse the process.
Well, if you're familiar with Kaufman's work, then you know what your getting yourself into. This is just as weird if not weirder then his previous work (maybe even John Malkovich). Anyways, I knew what I was getting myself into, but 90% of the movie I was saying to myself "What the f*ck", but in a good way. It opens with Joel calling in sick for work and going on a different train and meeting Clementine, they hit it off, now this is about 15 minutes into the movie, then out of nowhere come the credits for the opening. I will admit, I thought it would be different, but I'm glad that it is the way it is, the movie is 80% of the time in Joel's head.
If you think you know Carrey, think again. This movie is his best performance, better than Majestic, Truman show and all of his comedic roles (which is what I love him for). Just looking at his face from the second we see him, we feel his pain, then like that, we feel his joy, embarrassment, hate. Just amazing acting on his part, and Winslet was great as well with her warm heart, and sky high spirit throughout the film, she is the perfect counter-weight to Joel.. Everybody, Wood, Dunsts, and so on, just add to the emotion on the screen. I can see at least one Oscar nomination for acting(hope).
But if I were to bet any money on any Oscar nominations it would obviously be the writing, what a mess, but beautifully constructed. You think to yourself, is that scene really necessary but everything is so out of it, that you think later on that it does, that's beautiful, crazy, give me whatever he's smoking kind of writing. Charlie Kaufman's writing is always clever, but this time he's one-upped himself by making something not only bizarre, but emotionally engaging. It seemed like his earlier movies were clever for the sake of cleverness, but 'Eternal Sunshine' manages to dazzle you with it's originality and it's poignancy. The fact that this movie was able to wrap such profound loss, emotional tenderness, and hope in such a self-consciously stylized package illustrates the incredible talent of the people behind it.
Michel Gondry's use of colours and quick camera movement give the film a very involving first hand feeling. The constant use of the handy cam is very all involving for the viewer, and I suppose that this is exactly what is needed in such a personal movie. His work on the dream sequences is incredible as well.
One fault with it, would have to be the last minute of the film, the fade to white and the same scene playing over and over did nothing for the film, except take away from it.
9.5/10