Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Directed by: Michel Gondry
Premise: Joel (Jim Carrey) undergoes a procedure to erase his memories of ex-girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) when their relationship goes south. In the process of erasing the memories, he realizes the value of the positive memories despite the pain of the negative ones.
What Works: The film is at its best when it is exploring Joel’s memories and allowing him to explore those memories and why they are special. The story is one of discovery and it is structured in such a way that the audience is with Joel in his journey.
What Doesn’t: Some of the logical problems of the film’s premise are never addressed but we are so involved in Joel’s journey that the viewer is able to accept or ignore these problems.
DVD extras: Audio commentary, featurettes, a conversation with Jim Carrey and director Michel Gondry, deleted scenes, music video, and a fake infomercial.
Bottom Line: This is a good pick for fans of Being John Malkovich and those who enjoy Jim Carrey as a dramatic and experimental actor. The film is a refreshing and original piece that crosses the genres of science fiction, art house pictures, and Hollywood love stories.
Episode: #27 (November 14, 2004)