Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

This is one of my favorite films of all time also one of my favorites in the sci-fi and romance genres. This is a very interesting and beautiful film, it’s the kind you don’t see every day, it’s a heady sci-fi story but in a good way. The film just has so much it would require more than one watch to uncover more. This science fiction film tackles the subject of interspace which is cool as it’s something I don’t see much but it comes along sometimes. It makes sense having this kind of sci-fi film because the brain is to this day one of the greatest unsolved mysteries ever as we still don’t know all its workings. The film is also special to me in many ways as it played during my junior year at “Pacific Lutheran University”. I was a movie critic for the KCNS News student channel at the time and did a review which is positive and still is. It was special as it was a personal favorite film I reviewed on that episode, the film inspired me once again showing how much more it can be and stories it can tell, but also one of the fitting sendoff films for me as this film played during the time I was close to my senior year. The visuals and story direction are interesting; throughout Joel and Clemetine’s brain odyssey we uncover their relationship but in a nonlinear order. This not just adds to the mystery, but it makes sense when you think about it because none of us remember nor ever think in a straight linear path. There are also new things and experiences happening every day to add to our mindscape which makes it even more complicated. I can’t say too much for the visuals as part of the joy is in seeing them for yourself to believe; but what makes them truly impressive for me is the fact it was all practical and the way it was shot and visual effects accomplished were from your classic photography tricks. But what truly drives this film and its true heart are both characters Joel and Clementine who are another of my favorite fictional couples of all time. You really feel pathos for as these are two quirky, strange, beautiful souls that made a mistake. Throughout the film you want both to find a way to not just save their memories but their love for each other. Both are just great together, you really believe in their chemistry because we see both really do bring out the best in each other and make each other’s lives even more meaningful, which is part of what makes what’s happening to them sadder. Jim Carrey is excellent; this is my second favorite film with him if you can believe that. He’s still a funny guy but a different kind because he’s kind of a sad clown. I like that, to me sad clowns are always funnier because they have more emotional range and feel more three dimensional. However, what makes his character endearing is that he’s playing a regular guy who is relatable or can empathize with because we’ve all been in the same places as him in our own lives. I can relate to him because like him, I’m a passive aggressive guy and on the introverted side myself. But we see despite this he’s not a boring guy, in fact he’s rather interesting throughout the film we discover he is a doer as he’s got all kinds of hobbies, talents and quirks to make him active and funny. Kate Winslet another actress I really like, this is my favorite role from her. Clementine looks and even reminds of the character Ramona Flowers from “Scott Pilgrim vs the World”. She is a person that is just wild and spontaneous as she’s the kind of person that loves to live in the moment; but also, simply do what she feels whenever she wants. She also has her own quirks as she’s fascinated by strange and little things. Love the face that she hates the deadly word nice; I can empathize with that because at times even I don’t like that word as the double meaning to that is boring which is something both Clementine and I don’t want to be. This film has a lot of themes, I’ll just explain two of them. One is about the importance of embracing both the good and bad in a relationship and life. It’s as the Seventh Doctor from “Doctor Who” said, “Happiness is nothing without sadness, two sides one coin.” That’s true in all relationships and life itself there are always going to be bad times, but those times don’t last once you get through them, that’s when the good times begin. From this it allows growth in both you and your partner and both can build foundations for both the present and future to make life and love even better. And the other is in the beauty and importance in enjoying and treasuring the moments in both your love relationship and life itself. Thorough Joel and Clemetine journey they share, or should I say remember a lot of the good times both had during their relationship and realizing how truly precious and special they are as the kinds that don’t happen every day. Love, if it’s true, can never be taken away by anyone because the heart always remembers. Rating: 4 stars

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is one of those rare films that feels different every time you watch it. It’s not just about love, but memory, pain, and choice. Watch it at Filmfool Film Club Mumbai on 28th February, it will become even more interesting — the post-screening conversations will feel like an extension of the film itself.