| Overall Grade: |
A |
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| Story: |
A |
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| Acting: |
A |
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| Direction: |
A |
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| Visuals: |
A |
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Kudos for Kaufman
by Timothy (movies profile)
Aug 14, 2004
15
of
19 people found this review helpful
Charlie Kaufman.....I don't know how the man does it. First he amazed critics and audiences alike with his wacky breakthrough script, "Being John Malkovich". Then he came through again with his self-reflexive dramedy, "Adaptation". In collaborating with music video director, Michael Gondry, Kaufman delivers another imaginative screenplay that bends the mind as usual, but tells a deep love story.
Without giving away too much of the fun, the film focuses on Joel (Jim Carrey) and his romance with Clementine. They are polar opposites: Joel being dull and tame, and Clementine being an emotional, adventurous jabber-mouth. After tiring of one another, Joel and Clementine take part in a technological breakthrough where it is possible for each of them to erase the memories of their significant other. The majority of the film focuses on Joel wandering through his own head, watching his memories of Clementine vanish, and discovering the importance of memories remaining intact, whether pleasant or traumatizing.
Before I continue with this review, I want to make an important point. If you expect Jim Carrey's rubberface slapstick humor, or if you are accustomed to your narratives having a clearly stated beginning, middle, and end, please don't see this movie. Do it for the sake of the people around you that know what this film is about. I was surrounded by various audience douchebags that complained out loud about being confused or not finding the film funny. If you are one of these people, stay home and rent "Pearl Harbor", or "Ace Ventura", because you can't handle the new wave. Apologies for sounding like an ass, but I thought people would have learned already with "Punch Drunk Love."
That being said, this is the best film I have seen thus far in 2004. Michael Gondry provides amateurish direction that consists of hand-held, jerky camera movement, and an abundance of hard lighting. These are a couple of features that are supposed to be avoided in mainstream films, yet work tremendously here. I suppose it adds to that feeling of documentary-like realism without nautiously overdoing it ala "Blair Witch" ("Blair Witch" is a great film in my book, but there is no getting around the fact that people spewed when they watched it.)
The performances are solid here as well. A lot of people I have spoken with are upset at Carrey's venture into the serious realm, but the guy really has the talent to do it. Like Adam Sandler did so in last year's "Punch Drunk Love", Carrey portrays a character who is less animated and calm throughout the film. I can't forget to give credit to the supporting cast. Kirsten Dunst, Tom Wilkinson, and Mark Ruffalo are at their game in a subplot of the film involving the workers for Lacuna, the company that is erasing Joel's memory. Kirsten Dunst really establishes her change from silly, teen roles to more challenging, adult roles in this film.
Seriously, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is a genious film. Here is a script where Charlie Kaufman applies his psychologically twisted methods of storytelling that refute logic, but digs deeper with an incredible love story. This is a movie that reminds us reflect on our memories. Each and every one of them, good or bad, played a pivotal role in our life. Even if our society had the ability to erase those memories, tampering with those memories is tampering with destiny. Everything happens for a reason, and its important to remember those things to live life for the better. |
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