| Written by John Shea,
on 14-04-2004 07:09
|
Published in : Reviews, Movies |
Charlie Kaufman has to be hands down the greatest and most original screenwriter working today. The wild concepts for movies that he generates are impressive enough on their own but when you consider the way he wraps those ideas into solid stories that make serious commentary on human nature, it's mind blowing.
  Previously he has given us Being John Malkovich, about a tiny door that allows people to visit the mind of actor John Malkovich and see the world as he does, and Adaptation, in which he writes himself into the script, along with an imaginary identical twin brother, which is about him adapting the book The Orchid Thief into a movie script. Now we get Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, about Joel (Jim Carrey) who discovers his girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) has not only broken up with him but undergone a procedure to wipe him from her memory. Deeply hurt, he retaliates by undergoing the same procedure, to remove her from his memory. Along the way though, a funny thing happens. As he experiences the memories being eliminated, he remembers how much he loves her and how great their memories together were and he starts to try and fight the procedure from in his own mind.
The movie takes part mostly in Joel's mind. It is a dreamlike existence where reality seems to be constantly shifting. Adding to the confusion is the process that is destroying his memories, causing things around him to go blank or disappear before his eyes. We also see what is going on outside him, as several technicians work around him. They aren't exactly the most devoted employees and some of their conversation leaks into Joel's subconscious, further adding to his disorientation.
What really sets this movie apart, aside from its originality, is how moving it is. Many times a strange movie fails to be moving simply because what makes it odd also makes it hard to relate to. That is not the case here. While the movie can be confusing at times, it also has a familiar feel. Everyone has experienced the intangible nature of dreams. They can seem so real and yet evaporate when we wake. During dreams they are rarely static, mutating constantly from a stream of ideas being churned up by our unconscious minds. The movie captures that feeling very effectively. On top of that, Carrey and Winslet have amazing chemistry together and that very quickly establishes their love for the viewer. So when Joel loses her piece by piece, memory by memory, every little loss hurts. Each subsequent loss hurts more and it becomes truly tragic over the course of the film.
The idea of being able to eliminate painful memories sounds great on the surface. But this movie illustrates very effectively that it is truly horrible. We are all established by the events of our lives. Those memories weave together to make us who we are. Pulling certain memories out because they are painful has the effect of unraveling the person. I have had many rotten moments in life that I would rather not have lived through. But I realize that they contributed to who I am. That's the person my wife fell in love with and married. Getting rid of bad memories could make me a different person that she might not feel the same way about. That's much worse than dealing with some unpleasant memories. I think if we could meet up with the characters in this movie afterwards and ask them their opinion, they'd likely agree with me.
The script for this movie is not only original but also well constructed. It features a couple side plots that factor into the main story and also help to reinforce it. The relationship between Joel and Clementine is also well built and we experience it almost in reverse after an opening that shows them meeting and falling for each other. It's been said that what first attracts you to someone can often be something that irritates you about that same person down the road. That's the case here as the same elements that seemed to bring them together are major factors in their split up. Watching it in reverse as Joel sifts through his memories shows how things went wrong but also what made them a great couple. Clementine is a fully realized person in Joel's mind who seems to think for herself, even when not running through memories. That helps Joel remember how much she means to him and makes him fight for his memories.
Praise goes all around for this movie. The direction by Michael Gondry is on the mark, bringing a confusing set of elements to the screen in a manner that shouldn't lose anyone. Special effects are excellent and serve as a great example of how useful CGI can be when it serves the story rather than as eye candy. Kate Winslet is so thoroughly charming it’s easy to see how Joel could fall for her. She creates a whimsical impulsive character that hums with energy. Amazingly, she looks great with blue hair. Jim Carrey has often been mentioned as a contender for an Oscar for roles in The Truman Show and Man on the Moon without it coming true. I myself never agreed that he deserved nominations for those roles but here is a role I would support for an award. This is the performance that leaves aside his manic style the most. Joel is shy and quiet, a guy who is ill at ease dealing with others. The Jim Carrey we're used to never surfaces. There are a couple moments where it looks like he'll emerge but it never happens. This time around he is controlled and right on target. This is easily his best work. The rest of the cast, Tom Wilkinson, Mark Ruffalo, Kirsten Dunst and Elijah Wood all do a great job as well, although with considerably less screen time.
I can't say enough good things about Charlie Kaufman's writing. But I will say this, he gets better with every movie. And with every movie, I think that's damn near impossible. I look forward to watching him continue to top himself.
- John Shea
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