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Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is heartbreakingly sad, yet wonderfully romantic and hopeful… and original. It's almost like a great modern-day French New Wave film that's never been made before (as obvious influences from Jean-Luc Godard or Alain Resnais are evident)! Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman has created some brilliant films but this is undoubtedly his finest. Director Michael Gondry's hyper-visual style and the all fantastic performances (particularly by Kate Winslet, who is a dream) are what give Kaufman's script it's core, strength, and beauty. Gondry perfectly captures the atmosphere through the use of fades, shifts of focus and handheld camera. What makes this film so special is the small little joyous details throughout (the irony of the young couple dancing over Joel as his love is being erased from his memories, Clementine's hair color change, each representing a stage in their relationship, etc, etc). There are so many endless depths and philosophical examinations to this film. However, ultimately I believe this a film of human emotions and feelings. Eternal Sunshine shows how we are the collection of our memories, and without them, we may no longer be ourselves (even if we don't realize it)! Discovering this is difficult at first for Joel and Clementine, however their deep human emotions and feelings can't escape them, and leads them back to what they tried to forget. Will they last? Maybe, maybe not. Or maybe it's simply the "journey" that's most irresistible. While the ending is left open for interpretation it couldn't be more perfect. Not even Lacuna Inc has enough power or technology to erase this film from my memories!! "Enjoy it"
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