Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004)

Worthy of Multiple Viewing

For English Lit majors and/or trivia wonks, the title of this film is taken from a line in Alexander Pope's "Eloisa to Abelard." Just as Eloisa prays to forget her tragic lover in Pope's poem, Clementine (Kate Winslet) and Joel (Jim Carrey) ask to have their memories of each other surgically removed from their minds in Mike Gondry's film. However, during the neurological procedure to rid Joel of memories of his failed love, Joel begins to have second thoughts about letting go. He begins to fight, albeit unsuccesfully, to hold onto his recollections of Clementine as the doctor systematically zaps away synaptic reminants of his girlfriend in Joel's brain.

Joel's struggle to hold onto these memories, which takes up a significant portion of the movie, further illuminates for the viewer a condition of human existence -- one that is often tethered not just to past experiences but our consciousness (i.e. memory) of that experience. Despite an idea that could have easily slid into pedantic philosophical abstraction, the story ultimately works, because Gondry pulls the characters back into the real world. Clementine and Joel, despite their post surgical condition, are faced with a question that we must all face in life: whom do we fall for, regardless of what fate may have in store?

June 29, 2008

Eternal harmony of heart and mind

I remember trying to catch up with myself while watching this movie. This movie was growing on on me at so many different levels that my consciousness couldn't keep abreast.

I remember being swooped in by the ingenuity of the concept while simultaneously being humbled by the ruthless honesty with which the emotional lives of the characters - especially Joel's - have been traced. The plot and the treatment are also relentless, always demanding enormous attention to the unfolding of the story in spite of you being trapped, and further wanting to remain so, in the memories and the emotions.

In this sense I thought I, as the audience, found myself in a similar situation as Joel. He witnesses his own memories, relives them and wants to hold on to them (many, if not all). He doesn't want to let `em go. Therefore he has to summon his attention to what is being wiped away and act in order to save those special moments that make life worth living. I - the audience - want to stay with him in those memories that are so honestly portrayed, for I find comfort in reliving them - especially when they are going to be wiped away forever. But even I must summon my utmost concentration to follow the story, lest it vanish in a jiffy leaving me behind.

I saw this movie now almost two years back. Ever since, I have been waiting to lay my hands on the screenplay. Recently I had the occasion to read it. Man, Charlie Kaufmann has so masterfully designed it! He has seamlessly managed to simultaneously affect the emotions of the audience and hook them on intellectually.

In the words of J. Krishnamurti, admittedly in a different context: "There is a vast distinction between intellect and intelligence. Intellect is merely thought functioning independently of emotion... ...In intelligence there is the inherent capacity to feel as well as to reason; in intelligence both capacities are equally present, intensely and harmoniously."
I believe Charlie Kaufmann has delivered intelligence here.

Amazing performances by Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet. These two come across as vastly disticnt but uniquely interesting characters. Poles apart, yet the romantic spark is viscerally palpable and seems inevitable. Notable performances by others as well. Superb job by the director Michel Gondry. Fades out a brilliant film.
June 29, 2008

Vanishing Act

Vanishing Act
Lou Reed
It must be nice to disappear
to have a vanishing act
to always be looking forward
and never looking back

How nice it is to disappear
float into a mist
with a young lady on your arm
looking for a kiss



June 20, 2008

Over 50 Four-Star Rave Reviews, says the DVD cover

And you can guess this isn't one of them.

You know what this movie's about? "Wouldn't it be cool if we could erase our memories? Wouldn't that be cool?" No. Characters, plot, actors with a lick of talent, and dialogue that doesn't just lay there would be cool. So would some good writing, which is notable for its total absence here.

I did watch it all, by the way. The girl's recording of why she was dumping Jim Carrey was good writing. Nothing else was.

When Jim Carrey was running around in his old memories with the metaphor for his memories of what's-her-face, did anyone have a TRON flashback?

Really, we take one little premise and waffle and wander all over the place for over 100 minutes that seem a whole lot longer than that.

And really, if we had mind-wiping technology, is that what we'd do with it? Settle a spat with a guy/girl or forget a dead doggie? If my cat left me for some other guy with a tin of tuna, I'd certainly want to remember her.

But all that's irrelevant. Really it's just bad, lazy, sloppy writing.
June 10, 2008

all i have to say....

is that this is my favorite movie of all time. It has a significant meaning to me. Its a good movie to watch if your just out of a long relationship. Jim carrey is great. He is far more than just a good comic actor. He is a great overall actor period. His dramatic performances are pretty over looked. he did great in this movie. I recommend this to pretty much everyone. its a movie you will want to watch more than once so you catch more of whats going on. May 29, 2008

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