Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

[Downhome 0]

 

 

 

If any of you know me and talk to me away from TSM, you more than likely know that my personal favorite film of all time is Memento. When I first saw that movie, it just blew me away. I became obsessed with the concept and the film itself. It's been a few years ago since I first saw Memento in the theater, and I didn't think that I'd ever see a film that I enjoyed more than Memento, especially already.

 

However, with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I might just be able to say just that. After months of waiting for this one to be released, I finally was able to check it out tonight.

 

Wow.

 

I've seen Memento over and over again, so I can't really say for sure that I enjoyed Eternal Sunshine more, but I do believe that once I watch it a few more times to really let everything sink in, I'll be able to say it without a doubt.

 

I checked this film out right before I saw Dawn of the Dead (yep, double duty for me tonight), and the first thought I had after leaving the theater was that I might as well not even watch another film for a while, because no way in hell could anything even come close to the perfection of Eternal Sunshine.

 

Charlie Kaufman is a freaking genius. From Being John to Adaptation and now this, I've decided the guy is not only screwed up in the head, but he is also a genius, period. He's just such a great writer. I've loved his work before Eternal, but this script is hands down the best that I have ever read, and it is presented on the big screen perfectly.

 

This film isn't like his other films however, it's much deeper. Eternal is not a gimmick film, it is NOT a comedy. It's a true love story, with a Kaufman feel to it. I could go on and on talking about how perfect this film is in my eyes.

 

The overall film itself isn't the only thing that's so great, as it's so much more than the story. The performances of everyone involved go above and beyond. Jim Carey proves once again to me that he is much more than the physical comedic actor that so many have certified him as without even taking the time to realize that he is capable of so much more than just moving around in an insane way. To me, he's just a damn fine actor. If this film doesn't prove that, then nothing will. He brings forth so many different emotions, in such a sincere way. From fright to antisocial to depression and ultimately to being totally in love.

 

Jim Carey's chemistry with Kate Winslet, his love interest in the film, is just unreal as well. They interact with one another with just such great feel. Carey (Joel) being the antisocial type of guy when he first meets Winslet (Clementine), who is everything but antisocial, the type of woman who is totally forward and is just totally open and free, from the very start they work great together. Even though both have a totally different personality, it works together, and eventually the personalities meet in the middle, forming one hell of a bond between the two characters.

 

The performances of the other main stars, Mark Ruffalo, Kirsten Dunst, Tom Wilkinson, and Elijah Wood, also do a great job. Everything just clicks for everyone involved, it's just a great experience on film when you have something like that happen between all of the actors involved.

 

But back to the character of Clementine. I can't remember the last time that I saw a character in a film with such an energy that Clementine shows off. I'd go so far to say that the character is my favorite character ever. I don't know what to say about this other than just that. I could watch that character all day interact with Joel, or anything else.

 

The look of the film, the special effects, the dialogue, the theme, all of the actors, it all fits together perfectly. I know it's cliche, but it's like a big puzzle where all of the pieces fit together in just the right way.

 

And with Eternal, the film itself really is a huge puzzle.

 

That isn't an exaggeration at all. The film doesn't even click in your mind until about twenty minutes in, but it's in a good way. You just have to see it to understand what I mean.

 

So yeah, I do believe that I have a new "favorite film of all time". I could watch this one over and over again, and I know that when I do I'll notice something different each time through.

 

Go check this one out, do NOT allow this film to go unnoticed. I know that it will more than likely not do that great at the box office, as I understand that this isn't the type of thing that the masses would really "get". Either way, have it do good or bad at the box office, WE NEED MORE FILMS LIKE THIS IN HOLLYWOOD RIGHT NOW. I can't say that enough. In a town working on so many remakes and sequels, it's refreshing to see something as original as Eternal Sunshine come out from the ashes.

 

I'll be seeing this one again in the next week, and I already can't wait.

 

Sincerely,

...Downhome...

[Guest Choken One]

I was interested in seeing it before but now DH's rousing review will pretty much push me over.

[Downhome 0]

I was interested in seeing it before but now DH's rousing review will pretty much push me over.

I should write a formal review of it, and go into every reason why I loved this film so much. The more I think about it, the more I love it. The more that I'm convinced that I actually do love it more than Memento.

[Guest Wildbomb 4:20]

The Loews I work at it in Boston (Loews: Boston Common, for those TSMers in the area), sold out every single showing of Eternal Sunshine yesterday except for the midnight show. Originally it was only going to be on two screens, but we dumped out LOTR and put in another Eternal Sunshine. It outsold Dawn of the Dead and Taking Lives by nearly a 2:1 margin.

 

I concur: Favorite Movie Ever.

[2GOLD 0]

One thing that is confusing me is why this is opening so early?

 

It seems everyone loves this film, critics are singing the praises of Kaufman, Winslet and Carrey and yet it's not in an Oscar time position.

 

I wanted to see it but it wasn't released in the same theater (they were showing some Barbarian Invasion movie instead, a gripping French drama, I mean what the hell man?!?) I was at so I'll wait till next week I hope.

[Guest stardust]

Like Choken, I really wanted to see this movie before, but after reading DH's review, I really want to see it now. The previews had me interested, but after seeing a clip when Elijah Wood was on Conan last week, I was really, really interested. Unfortunately, I'm not sure when I'll get a chance to go see it, and there's also the fact that I'm completely broke for the next two to three months. I will see this movie, though, dammit.

[MDH257 0]

One thing that is confusing me is why this is opening so early?

 

It seems everyone loves this film, critics are singing the praises of Kaufman, Winslet and Carrey and yet it's not in an Oscar time position.

It was supposed to open back in December, but the studio pushed it to March. Entertainment Weekly reported it as if thay meant there was something wrong with the movie, but the studio and director said it wasn't ready.

 

 

I saw it last night and thought it was great.

Sometimes I thought the Kauffman/Spike Jonze movies (both of which I liked) wanted to be weird just for the sake of being weird.

 

But I really understood and connected with this one.

 

I have a question though.

 

Possible Spoiler Warning

 

Invisotext On

 

If it was all in Joel's head, then how does Clemintine know to be in Mauntach to meet him?

I mean if the explanation is "something was telling her to be there" then okay. But I was wondering if there was a part that explained it that I missed.

 

Invisotext off

 

End spoiler warning

[Guest OctoberBlood]

I can't wait to see it. Hopefully I'll catch it tomorrow.

[Guest thebigjig]

I'm going in an hour... I fucking can't wait. I've been excited about this since it was first announced

[Mecha Mummy 0]

Saw it. Loved it. DH's review of it convinced me to go despite my being sick and it was completely worth it.

 

And, to MDH (invisotext on)...

 

I think that's part of it. But also I think Patrick completely emulating Joel and stealing everything he said triggered something in her subconscious. Or something. That's the one part I'm not entirely sure of yet and am trying to figure out.

 

(Yeesh, whatever happened to spoiler tags?)

[Downhome 0]

I'm glad that I convinced at least a few people to go check it out. It's more than worth it.

 

The name used for the main actress is just so great...Clemintine. I l thought that was so cool.

 

You are lost and gone forever,

Dreadful sorry, Clementine.

 

I wish women like Clementine were real...I really do.

[Guest thebigjig]

I cannot praise this film enough... I was completely, emotionally drawn into it. It was an absolutely brilliant mindfuck rollercoaster all the way through

 

I of course fell in love with the character of Clementine, in the EXACT same way that I fell in love with Audrey Hepburn's Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffanys...

 

and if this film isn't nominated for several awards, and if Jim Carrey doesnt get that nomination he should've gotten for Man on the Moon, then there is simply no God

[bobobrazil1984 0]

I saw it tonight and enjoyed it very much... though somehow I feel slightly let down. I think I hyped myself up too much for "omg charlie kaufman + jim carrey"... but it was still an A movie. Great performances by everybody (Kirsten Dunst in particular surprised me). this was also a nice fun post-frodo role for Elijah Wood.

[2GOLD 0]

I'm worried this film opened WAY too early to even get a shot at the nods. It sounds like everyone agrees that Carrey, Kaufman and Winslet SHOULD snag some nods for their work.

 

But did this film open too early to get the nods? I mean, you have a Hanks-Spielberg movie coming out in the summertime so you know that's some nods. And if Carrey doesn't get a nod for this film, does he have a shot in hell of ever getting one?

[Guest thebigjig]

I'm worried this film opened WAY too early to even get a shot at the nods. It sounds like everyone agrees that Carrey, Kaufman and Winslet SHOULD snag some nods for their work.

 

But did this film open too early to get the nods? I mean, you have a Hanks-Spielberg movie coming out in the summertime so you know that's some nods. And if Carrey doesn't get a nod for this film, does he have a shot in hell of ever getting one?

he deserved one for Truman show AND man on the moon... the films may have been flawed, but his performances were not

 

I doubt he'll ever be taken seriously enough to get a nod... the film by all early box office accounts, is bombing and it sadly will probably be forgotten in a few months

 

 

I'm sure it'll probably get a screenplay nomination, but I doubt anything else

[2GOLD 0]

Eternal is bombing?

It's average per theater is above all except DAWN.

[The Amazing Rando 0]

I'm really really pissed that the closest theater to me that this is playing is about an hour and a half away.

 

So. Fucking. Pissed.

[Guest thebigjig]

Eternal is bombing?

It's average per theater is above all except DAWN.

It debuted at # 6 with $8.6 million...

 

it may not, by definition, BOMB... I'm sure the budget wasn't all that high and that it will make up for it, but it's not going to be a blockbuster

 

Then again, it may stay in the top 10 by word of mouth alone (lost in translation) but from what I'm hearing "on the street" it's not a very popular movie... with critics and people with generally good movie taste, yes... but with the average Joe who is going to see it because they expect Ace Ventura, I hear the same "that fucking sucked!" that I heard when Punch Drunk Love came to theaters

[Mecha Mummy 0]

Eternal is bombing?

It's average per theater is above all except DAWN.

It debuted at # 6 with $8.6 million...

 

it may not, by definition, BOMB... I'm sure the budget wasn't all that high and that it will make up for it, but it's not going to be a blockbuster

 

Then again, it may stay in the top 10 by word of mouth alone (lost in translation) but from what I'm hearing "on the street" it's not a very popular movie... with critics and people with generally good movie taste, yes... but with the average Joe who is going to see it because they expect Ace Ventura, I hear the same "that fucking sucked!" that I heard when Punch Drunk Love came to theaters

Yeah, depressingly enough, I heard stuff like that too, except a bit nicer. I almost wanted to scream. My mom, who I went with, liked the movie but didn't comprehend a bunch of it until I explained it all for her.

[NoCalMike 0]

Well for one it didn't have a major advertising machine behind it, secondly, it's not a "jim Carrey plays as A DEPRESSED JIM CARREY" type movie. I mean Carry gets down and dirty with some serious acting here, it was fucking brilliant if I may say so. Finally, the movie was a wide release but it wasn't a "every theater in town" release. So I didn't expect it to have a HUGE opening, but quite frankly who cares. I'd rather have it get a smaller release and have people going to it that know what they are there to see, then have it be in every theater in town and have people seeking a Jim Carrey comedy waste their time, and my viewing pleasure. One thing I really appreciated in my theater, was the vast diversity in the crowd as far as age groups go. I was really suprised that the older(bordering senior age) had seen enough on tv/paper about this movie to go see it. Everyone across the board seemed to enjoy it.

 

Ok as for my opinion on the flick, I love the picture. I am sure we can all go and dig up other films like this, but for me I thought it was truly original and I really enjoy seeing flicks that I haven't seen before in some shape or form.

 

I for one, cannot name a bad performance in this movie. From top to bottom, good shit.

 

Definately the best movie of the year, and if it doesn't get multiple nominations I will be fucking heated.

 

I look forward to the DVD and the commentary.....WHOOOOOO~!

 

p.s. if you want to do a super review, go check out Harry Knowles review of "Requiem for a Dream" that is about a perfect as can be example of how to do a "I shot my load multiple times in the theater" type review.

[Guest thebigjig]

It should get nominated... Adaptation got several nominations and it was, I believe a limited release

 

Charlie Kaufman proves once again that he's definitely one of the best, inventive screen writers in the biz today. I would probably place Eternal Sunshine above Confessions of a Dangerous Mind as my favorite Kaufman scripted movie

[bobobrazil1984 0]

what kind of budget did Eternal Sunshine have?

[NYU 0]

what kind of budget did Eternal Sunshine have?

According to Box Office Mojo, it had a Production Budget of $35 million and Marketing Costs of $10 million.

[2GOLD 0]

what kind of budget did Eternal Sunshine have?

According to Box Office Mojo, it had a Production Budget of $35 million and Marketing Costs of $10 million.

 

I think this movie will still get a positive buzz among real moviegoers and hold up well enough to make back production costs and marketing easily.

 

If this was Oscar time and the movie grabbed some nods, it would have received a much bigger audience since it would have developed that "people want to see why so and so got nominated" audience.

 

I just don't understand this release date at all. It might cost them nods and it does cost them money they would have made from buzz from at least the People choice awards.

[Ted the Poster 0]

"That movie has warped my fragile little mind!"

 

But, you know, in a "holy shit that was was so fucking amazing" sort of way.

 

God bless you Charlie Kaufman, you nutty bastard.

[NoCalMike 0]

Did the movie ever feature the song that is featured in the trailer? I want to figure out what song that is.

[Guest OctoberBlood]

Wait, I thought it didn't open well because it was limited? Am I wrong?

 

Anyways, just watched it .. and WOW. I loved EVERY MINUTE of it. Not much films out there that do this for me, but it was amazing. I liked how the ending left us to decide. Jim Carrey is GREAT and kills off the critics saying that he can't spread past mindless comedy. I can not wait for the DVD.

[Mecha Mummy 0]

Did the movie ever feature the song that is featured in the trailer? I want to figure out what song that is.

No, I don't think it did outside of maybe the credits. The song is "Mr. Blue Sky" by Electric Light Orchestra. (I just figured that out yesterday myself.)

[Guest Wildbomb 4:20]

Indeed, it is...and the soundtrack for the film is also one of the most amazing things ever.

 

I don't think this movie could own any more types of ass.

 

As for Oscar nods...remember, everyone was saying the same thing about Seabiscuit and how it wouldn't get any nods.

 

I am yet to see anything this side of Kill Bill Volume 2 being available for my Movie of the Year.

[2GOLD 0]

I got "The Passion of the Christ", "The Terminal" -Tom Hanks, Catherine Zeta-Jones, directed by Steven Spielberg with John Williams doing the score? How doesn't it grab a nod?-, "Kill Bill V2" and some artsy picture later in the year with Jude Law or somebody. I forgot, "The Aviator" will grab some nods as well as it's directed by Martin Scorsese and has Leo Dicaprio.

 

 

I really hope this film DOES get the nods cause Carrey got screwed out of them for his work in The Truman Show and Man on the Moon. Hell, I thought he did amazing in "The Majestic"