Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

The fifth film that I am featuring on my blog is 2004's modern classic ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND directed by Michel Gondry and written by Charlie Kaufman.

The film is an unconventional love story between two true individuals. Joel and Clementine are among the most compelling and touching couples featured in cinema. The film mixes reality with the fantastic.
The happy memories between Joel and Clementine are warmer than reality and blurred. They slowly slip away from him as he desperately clings to them. This scene is the one where we begin to see Clementine as more than a desperately eccentric woman. She laments her appearance and how ugly she thinks she is. This memory prompts Joel's battle with the memory-erasing team of Lacuna.
There is this great theatricality to the memory-erasing process. The lighting is particularly emphatic. I love the way it plays as a prison spotlight of sorts as Joel tries to escape the erasing process. He decides that he doesn't want Clementine erased, but it won't be easy to stop them.
Jim Carrey's Joel is a wonderful piece of acting. He is reserved, but his love for Clementine makes him bolder, decisive. He is protective of the happy memories that they share even as they distort before his very eyes as she did at the end of their relationship.
As is the case in films written by masterful screenwriter Charlie Kaufman, there is a vivacious sense of humor and creativity. The interweaving of Joel's memories is clever and cheeky. The use of old-fashioned special effects is also fun. The sequence in his mother's kitchen with Clementine as the babysitter is probably the funniest in the film.
I love the use of contrast throughout the film. I especially love this shot of his bed on a beach blanketed in snow.
The playfulness of Kaufman's writing paired with Gondry's directing eye is a joy to behold. The film is a technical perfection. I think the editing in particular is a standout. I really loved the costuming in the re-imagined memories as well.
I think that, while the sections of the film featuring the Lacuna staff are weaker, they provide some great moments of insight as well. One of my favorite performances in the film is that of Kirsten Dunst. She brings a hopeful longing to Mary and a tremendous amount of significant emotion as the film progresses. She's funny and wrenching.
The muted, blurred vibe of several shots is something that used quite effectively in this film. The final parting scene between Joel and Clementine is gorgeous. The gentle whisper of Clementine implores him to "Meet me in Montauk." The universe has to keep them together. We hope that they will find each other again.

Then the ending arrives and brings with the bravest two lovers put to film. They know that their past wasn't perfect, but they have the guts to give it another go. It's progressive and joyous. The optimism is staggering. I think this is one of the best films of the 00's and one of the best films ever. I strongly recommend it.