In 2004, director Michel Gondry and screenwriter Charlie Kaufman‘s Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind introduced viewers to a love story that was already over near the beginning of the film.
Over two decades later, this sci-fi romance is still thought-provoking, emotionally compelling and one of the best movies ever made in both genres.
It’s also Watch With Us‘ pick for the great HBO Max movie that you have to watch before it leaves later this week.
Jim Carrey Is At His Best With a Non-Manic Persona
There was a point in Carrey’s career where he seemed eager to prove that he could do more than just comedy. The Truman Show and The Majestic were two of Carrey’s previous attempts to carry a film with a dramatic performance instead of a comedic one. He was very good in both of those movies, but Carrey was even better as Joel Barish in this film in part because Joel isn’t an inherently funny character.
Instead, Joel is a man who is in a lot of emotional pain after learning that Clementine Kruczynski (Winslet) had erased him from her memories. Out of spite, Joel makes the same choice, and it’s easy to sympathize with him. There’s still a little bit of Carrey’s usual persona in his mindscape, but it’s toned way down. Without that comedic fire, Carrey’s Joel is a relatable guy who is battling against overwhelming odds to hold on to a memory of love, even if he can’t have the love itself. There’s something oddly beautiful about that choice, and it made Joel a memorable character.
Kate Winslet Gives Two Oscar-Worthy Performances
Although Carrey wasn’t nominated for his performance as Joel, Winslet was recognized by the Academy Awards with a nomination for Best Actress. Given the premise of the film, it’s easy to forget that Winslet actually plays two characters in the movie. Winslet portrays both the real Clementine and her avatar in Joel’s mind, who helps him fight back against the memory erasure. The version of Clementine who exists inside of Joel may not be real, but she embodies the things that Joel loves about her.
The film also gives viewers a glimpse of Joel’s memories of the real Clementine, both the good and the bad. The perspective may be skewed since the memories play out from Joel’s perspective, but it still provides us with a better idea of who she is. There are also some scenes in the real world where Clementine is courted by someone using Joel’s memories like a cheat sheet, and her confused/angry reactions are another demonstration of her character’s true persona. Only the real Joel could make that connection with the real Clementine.
The Film Is Wildly Imaginative and Romantic
Kaufman’s stories tend to defy the normal conventions of storytelling with some gonzo ideas. Case in point, Being John Malkovich‘s portal inside the mind of the titular actor. Eternal Sunshine also returns to Kaufman’s favorite playground in scenes that shed light on Joel and Clementine’s relationship while building a connection with the audience throughout the film.
The journey through Joel’s memories is where Eternal Sunshine fully comes alive as a visual experience. Joel’s attempt to hide Clementine in his memories was an inventive choice. Even though the film doesn’t shy away from giving us a taste of why Joel and Clementine didn’t work out, it still offers the hope of a romantic reconciliation. This movie may not have the most upbeat script, but Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is still a love story in the end.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is streaming on HBO Max until July 31.
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