Kaufman’s ‘Sunshine’ Is Among The Most

Inventive Films Of The Year So Far

It’s typically not a good thing when a movie is moved from the prestigious fall-winter awards season to the doldrums of early spring (see audience apathy over The Alamo as case in point). The writing on the wall is either that the studio doesn’t believe in the film, or it simply knows it’s got a stinker on its hands. So, when Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was moved from its original release date of last November to this past March, all signs pointed to an unfortunate disaster.

Thankfully, nothing could be further from the truth. Though it hasn’t been afforded the kind of buzz of some other films released thus far in 2004, Eternal Sunshine might well be the most inventive and most satisfying picture released thus far in this still-young year.

Written by Charlie Kaufman, the witty and idiosyncratic mind behind Being John Malkovich and Adaptation, Eternal Sunshine stars a superbly subdued Jim Carrey as Joel, a somewhat shy everyman who falls in love with the outgoing Clementine (the equally effective Kate Winslet), the kind of energetic, free spirited woman who will dye her hair green, blue or neon orange all on a whim.

On the surface, the two seem to be polar opposites attracting, but the script capably clues the viewer into a deeper connection, and Carrey and Winslet’s affecting, realistic portrayals facilitate the audience’s impression that their bond appears to be taking place before our very eyes. However, as we already know from his other films, Kaufman is a mad scientist of a screenwriter, more than willing to take risks with his tales, and here, he plays with the timeline of the film by revealing that Joel is actually in the midst of having his memories of Clementine erased by a company called Lacuna Inc.

Why? Not only has their relationship soured, but also Joel discovers that Clementine has been to Lacuna first and had all memories of him wiped from her recollection. Well, two can play at that game... or so he thinks.

Eternal Sunshine works on a number of levels. It’s a well-acted study of relationships and interaction, starting with the work of leads Carrey and Winslet, but also carrying through to the performances of the able supporting cast, including Kirsten Dunst as Mary, a receptionist at Lacuna, Tom Wilkinson as Howard Mierzwiak, the pioneering physician of the Lacuna procedure, and Mark Ruffalo and Elijah Wood as two nebbishy assistants of the kindly doctor.

It’s also a cleverly told love story, which weaves us in and out of Joel and Clementine’s rocky relationship as we experience Joel’s memories (some lovely, some hurtful, but all collectively candid) just as they’re being erased from his mind. It’s even a stylishly told, visually interesting narrative, using a variety of techniques (from some slick but subtle effects work to some clever lighting and set designs) to convey not only the erasure of Joel’s memories, but his attempts to hold on to those thoughts he doesn’t want obliterated.

In fact, that brings us to the true power of Eternal Sunshine, the real lasting impact and significance of the movie. I think we’ve all had moments where we did something or said something we regretted and wished there was a way to take it back or at least forget that it ever happened. “If only I could get past thus and so, things would be better!” Well, Eternal Sunshine posits a world/reality where you can... and then proposes that scenario is not all we may have dreamed.

In his desire to be rid of the emotional pain and hurt he’s carrying from his relationship with Clementine, Joel finds that he’s also eradicating all the joy, beauty, pleasure and happiness that came along with that rapport. Not only do the two poles co-exist, but perhaps in order to have the rapturous joys and happiness, there needs to be some difficulty and struggle. And just as those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it, those who try to wipe away hurtful, painful memories may only be condemning themselves to facing down those same demons again.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is rated R for language, and few drug-related and sexually suggestive comments.