Writer: Charlie Kaufman & Michel Gondry
Director: Michel Gondry
Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Elijah Wood
Rated: 15
Running Time: 108 mins
Trailer: Quicktime, Various Sizes
Tagline: Would You Erase Me?

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a revelation, in more ways than one.

Jim Carrey (Bruce Almighty) puts in a classy performance as Joel Barish, a man who after breaking up with his impulsive girlfriend Clementine, played by Kate Winslet (Titanic), sees her again only to discover she has absolutely no memory of him. When he discovers she had her memory erased on purpose, he decides to undergo the same procedure. During the course of the film, Joel travels through his memories and rediscovers why he fell in love with her in the first place.

IÂ’ll say it now: traditionally, I hate Jim Carrey. In his comedies, he is (way) over the top and he annoys the hell out of me. Not here though. If he did more films like this rather than slapstick comedy, he would be renowned as a class actor. Not once does he resort to contorting his face or flogging a dolphin. This is acting at itÂ’s best. As Joel, he gives a solemn, personal performance.

That closed in, personal feel is also brought through the way the film is filmed and presented on screen. The film has a very cold look to it, with lots of greys and a gritty feel to a lot of it.

I donÂ’t want to give too much away, but suffice it to say, they filmed some scenes in a way that was very original, and although it must have been challenging for the actors and the crew, it comes off very well on-screen. Wish I could explain what they did, but IÂ’d rather leave it for you to see.

Across from Carrey, Winslet is excellent as Clementine. Looking pale and with grossly dyed hair, she is as far from the classical beauty of Titanic, but none-the-less, her beauty does come through, and that is quite refreshing. Kirsten Dunst (Spider-man) and a post-Lord of the Rings Elijah Wood add to the cast and they both do a very good job, especially Dunst.

At itÂ’s core, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a romance film. But itÂ’s a romance film like youÂ’ve never seen before. And it works. It works extremely well. I put off seeing this film for weeks because I was put off by Carrey. But please, donÂ’t be. Go see this film, you owe it to yourself.


(Edited by Maffrew 13/05/2004 12:17)