This has to be one of my favourite films for so many reasons, so I thought I'd write about it now because it NEEDS to be seen! I have even trialled this film with numerous people who hadn't seen it, and every one of them thought it was amazing even if this wasn't their usual genre; because this isn't any old film...
Our memories make us who we are, but this film shows what would happen if you could hire a company to erase them. Is there someone you have been with you'd rather forget? Got painful memories of someone? Get Lacuna Corp to do their procedure and you won't even remember they exist! Sounds great right? Well this is what impulsive Clementine (Kate Winslet) does, but doesn't tell Joel (Jim Carrey). He has to find out the hard way, so decides to get it done too and erase her. But as he is forced to go through their relationship in his head memory by memory, it's proved that although there was sourness towards the end, there were many good times and he doesn't want to forget her after all.
The majority of the film is set inside Joel's head, in his memories. As you can imagine this creates endless possibilities for awesome camera shots and tricks as memories are being erased before our very eyes. Objects, walls, people, all disappear. There really isn't just one person to give credit to for this film, for me it's the writer and the director. The writer Charlie Kaufman came up with the story, as well as Being John Malkovich, a film which if you have seen you'll realise there are many similarities in the themes of thought, memory and being inside the mind, and the peculiar storylines which could only have come from his crazy imagination. The other genius behind this is of course Michel Gondry, who has directed countless imaginative pieces including many music videos, and The Science of Sleep, a french film which is again very peculiar and dreamy. The combination of their creative minds creates a film that is normally classed as a romantic drama, but is so much more than that. There are elements of fantasy and sci-fi that turn what could have been a soppy mess into a cleverly crafted masterpiece.
Another odd thing about this film that is in my opinion the key to making it work, is the casting. Jim Carrey before this had mainly done over the top comedic roles, which I do love, but this film shows a whole other side to him which you may not even think he had in him. He manages to play a serious, quite regular guy, and does it brilliantly. And as for Kate Winslet, this is by far my favourite role of hers as it's the complete opposite of what she normally does too. Where she is normally elegant, beautiful and strong; in Eternal Sunshine she is kooky, impulsive and eccentric. With her constantly changing hair colour, she's a great character and I can't think of an actress that could portray her better. The supporting cast are also really well chosen, with Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood and Tom Wilkinson working for Lacuna Inc in the parallel storyline, they bring some great performances and touching moments.
I'll shut up in a minute, but lastly I just want to mention the soundtrack. The original score is by Jon Brion and is the majority of the film's music, but there are a few songs like Beck - Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime which appear in the opening and closing credits. The music creates a mellow like ambience that surrounds the film reflecting the characters.
If you hadn't realised already I bloody adore this film, and think it should be obligatory watching for everyone because I love everything about it. I just hope this has persuaded you, or if you've already seen it, persuaded you to watch it again. Just one bit of advice, if you think it's a bit slow at the start which my mother did... whatever you do don't turn it off, or else I'll hunt you down and use the method from A Clockwork Orange on you. The opening credits are 20 minutes in and then the film completely changes, into the intriguingly odd and beautiful.How happy is the blameless Vestal's lot. The world forgetting, by the world forgot. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd.
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