''Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'' (2004 film)- Review

Directed by: Michel Gondry
Released: 2004
Country: United States

Genre: Sci-Fi, Romantic drama

Cast: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, Tom Wilkinson

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Review

There are films that keep your eyes glued to the screen because they are so fascinating, so very charming. ''Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'' is such a film. With an ingenious and brilliant concept and a splendid story, ''Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'' is a film that kept me curious and fascinated from the beginning to the end

The film starts in a way that gives no hint of what the film is actually about. Joel (Carrey), our reserved and introverted male protagonist, comes across Clementine (Winslet), the happy-go-lucky female protagonist on a train. They are quickly drawn to each other and spend great moments together. But wait. Its not as simple as it sounds. It is not just another romantic comedy. Just as we start enjoying and appreciating the sweet moments Joel and Clementine are spending together, there is a flashblack. And then we get to realize what has actually been happening: Joel and Clementine had known each other long before they met on the train. They had once been in a relationship. However, they broke up after several bitter quarrels, and Clementine went through a scientific procedure through which she erased all her memories of Joel. Upon knowing this, Joel was devastated and decided to go through the same procedure. As the medical process was going on, Joel's brain did not want to forget Clementine, and he tried his best to hold on to the memories as he saw the memories of Clementine fading away from his mind...

A large portion of the film takes place inside Joel's mind. I really loved the concept. While the medical procedure is going on, Joel's mind goes through the memories of Clementine over and over again. He does not want to let go of Clementine. He does not want to forget her memories. His mind realizes what a stupid decision he has taken after the procedure has already started. In his mind, he goes through the memories and tries his best to hold on to them, he and Clementine (inside his mind) must do something that can prevent the deletion of those beautiful memories.

There is an important subplot as well, concerning technician Stan (Ruffalo) who is overseeing the procedure of deletion of Joel's memories and the receptionist of the company which does these memory erasure procedures. They are seemingly having an affair, but with the passage of time such secrets are revealed that would change a lot of things.

Like I mentioned before, I loved the concept of the film. I loved the way it was presented. I loved the way things go on inside Joel's head and his desperate attempt to hold on to Clementine and her memories. I pretty much loved everything about the film: the storyline, the screenplay, the performances (Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet are obviously extraordinary, but Mark Ruffalo and Kirsten Dunst also deliver splendid and highly memorable performances), the way the story is told. This is definitely a must-watch. Not just for its beautiful romance. Or for the splendid concept. But also because this is a film that remains memorable for its extraordinarily beautiful presentation, the great screenplay, the 
magnificent performances, the romance (of course ) and I say it again, the concept!

4.5 out of 5