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Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

For quirky couple, Clementine and Joel, breaking up isn’t only hard to do—it’s hard to erase. In Michel Gondry and Charlie Kaufman’s latest mental roller coaster, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the director-writer team asks of their characters and their audience —"Just how far would you go to forget?"

When colorful and chaotic Clementine, played by Kate Winslet meets introverted and self-conscious Joel, played by Jim Carrey, it’s love at first ¯ and second ¯ sight.

When Joel yearns for peace of mind following heartbreak, he decides to erase his memories of Clementine by visiting Dr. Mierzwiak (Tom Wilkinson) and his staff (Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood).

Traveling into the psychological playground that is the couple’s past, Joel bears witness to the destruction of every snippet of the lively, genuine but at times demanding relationship between the two. Our hero’s fate is altered while undergoing the process; he no longer wishes to erase his memory of Clementine.

There’s no doubt that the pairing of Winslet and Carrey is captivating; in most scenes, very noticeably in the first together, the duo’s chemistry crackles on the screen.

With its premise in the same league as mind-boggling memory trip, Memento and Kaufman’s other non-linear, wacky works, Being John Malkovich and Adaptation, this is a mainly character-driven story. The legitimately endearing relationship between Clementine and Joel is the heart of this eccentric cinematic maze. Both characters are fully well rounded, direct from Kaufman’s life experience. With Kool-Aid hair colors that change without reason and a no-nonsense, in-your-face attitude about life, it’s not hard to understand that Joel sees a path out of the mundane in Clementine. At one point, she even says that men see her as a cure to their ordinary existence. And what she sees in Joel is a kindred spirit.

As if the fascinating connection between the two weren’t enough to satiate a viewer’s, interesting subplots concerning supporting characters are an extra treat. A subplot involving Stan (Mark Ruffalo), Mary (Kirsten Dunst) and Dr. Mierzwiak adds depth and emotion to these characters who could otherwise seem to harbor no anxiety or second thoughts about plucking the past from their patients’ minds. Elijah Wood as office employee, Patrick is further comedic relief, attempting to pick up where Joel left off by wooing Clementine in an outright unethical way.

In addition to its brilliant cast, Sunshine is alight with clever dialogue, distinctive moments and unique techniques to bring to life the experience of being in one’s own mind. Especially memorable — no pun intended — are scenes where Carrey’s grown-up Joel, attempting to hide himself and Clementine from the "mind-erasers," relocates himself to events from childhood. The two play out memories of hiding under a table and Carrey as baby Joel is washed in a kitchen sink. These are bright, shiny and completely original scenes—like most that permeate the film. If the scene isn’t solely actor-driven, it’s enhanced by eye-catching visual effects or a script that dips and loops, working wonders for its viewers’ imaginations.

Though, like memory, the film retains unexpected layers and paths. Carrey may have made it big as a comedian. Winslet may be known mostly in America for her dramatic role in Titanic. But these two know precisely how to switch gears for both kinds of performances, mixing mirth with tragedy. Similarly, the script merrily tinkers between that wonderland where confusion plays hide-and-go-seek with clarity. There isn’t a dull moment in Sunshine, a film that keeps its viewer on its toes by simply trusting that they’re capable of a wild and compellingly real ride.

Written by: Maressa Brown

Reviewers Rating: 9.5
Reader's Rating: 6.75
Reader's Votes: 8

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