It takes a certain mind to come up with quirky and imaginative stories for films. Many have done it, but there too few Christopher Nolan’s out there that have succeeded. In fact, many people don’t even try to find out who wrote the story they just watched on the big screen; point being, a writer is the brain behind any one film and is often the one that’s forgotten until award season rolls around. So, with Jim Carrey turning a cool 50 this week and award season in full prediction mode, I figured there’s no better time than now to journey back to 2004 with “Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind.”
Stories like the one here have to be written almost perfectly in order to succeed. But, unlike previous Kaufman gems, this one is based mostly on love, something we haven’t necessarily seen from the great writer. The story in this one starts with a lonely guy by the name of Joel Barish (Jim Carrey), who is trying to forget the girlfriend that he had broken up with over a year earlier. One day on his way to work, Joel stops and decides to take a train out of New York to clear his mind. But, little did Joel know that this train would take him to a place that would not only clear his mind, but also give him the love he had been looking for. That love came by way of a very outgoing woman by the name of Clementine (Kate Winslet). The two immediately connect, albeit awkwardly, and begin a torrid love affair containing too many ups and downs. Ups and downs that lead to a nasty breakup leaving Joel in the same exact place he was when he met Clementine. But, this time would be different for Joel after he finds out Clementine had her mind erased of all her memories of him. Upset and distraught, Joel decides to get all memories of her erased from his mind, something that turns out to be his biggest mistake yet, because while he was unconscious Joel realizes why he fell in love with Clementine in the first place.
If there was ever one constant with Charlie Kaufman stories outside his own word, it’s the cast. I’m not sure how or why, but in all the films written by Kaufman, we have seen a host of A-list actors offer their abilities. And here, the cast was led by the often misunderstood, but extremely talented Jim Carrey who just never seems to have an ‘off’ day. And this film is yet another indication of that, even within the realm of a drama. Because, some still can’t see past his comedic performances to appreciate how great of a dramatic actor he has become. That’s the bottom line with Carrey and why this is is the perfect film to see that talent exposed. Opposite Carrey was the brilliant Kate Winslet, who played the effortless Clementine. The chemistry between she and Carrey was unusual, but in a seamlessly natural way. Outside of these two gems leaves a group of individuals’ that is typical for any Kaufman flick, but highlighted by Tom Wilkinson and Mark Ruffalo, who both made an impact when the story required it.
Probably the one aspect of “Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind” that stands out is the imagery director Michel Gondry was able to portray from Kaufman’s words. Kaufman’s script bleeds onto the screen more than most writers and in my mind, sets him apart in Hollywood. I know he only writes it, but his vision is so unique that it takes a certain director to put his words to the big screen. And, Michel Gondry was great behind the camera in this one bringing all of Kaufman’s words to life like I have never seen before. So, while “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” may not be what we typically see from Jim Carrey, it’s still worthwhile for all the other reasons I mentioned. So, if you’re expecting some mindless comedy, move on to the next great DVD buy, as it takes a certain patience to sit through a twisted and unusually balanced story like this.
A
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