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19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Eternally spotless, June 26, 2005
This review is from: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: The Shooting Script (Newmarket Shooting Script Series) (Paperback)
"Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!/Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd... Desires compos'd, affections ever ev'n,/Tears that delight, and sighs that waft to Heav'n." The original Alexander Pope poem suits the movie whose title it inspired, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," a unique, surreal film about memories, love and sorrow.
"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" deals with timid, conservative Joel, who bumps into ex-girlfriend Clementine at a store -- and finds she doesn't remember him. He finds a notice in his mail that she has had him erased from her memories, and angrily decides to have the same done. But during the procedure, Joel revisits the good times they had together, and finds that he doesn't want to lose his memories with Clementine.
This movie, by Michel Gondry and Charlie Kaufman, was one of the best of 2004, and one that isn't quickly forgotten. The screenplay is an excellent accompaniment; if there is a line or an image that didn't seem to make sense, it might make more sense here. "Eternal Sunshine" fans will also like the scenes that never made it to the final cut, and one scene got shuffled around.
Additionally, there is an interview at the end with Kaufman. In it, he describes his writing background, his collaborations with Gondry, clashes with Ben Affleck's horrific "Paycheck," memory, and that wonderful "Velveteen Rabbit" scene. Although, it could have used more of Kaufman's thoughts on the final product and the actors.
The stumbling blocks? Don't try reading the screenplay BEFORE seeing the movie, or you will be hopelessly lost. The script cuts wildly from the past, the present, inside and outside the characters' heads. It works wonderfully on the screen, but on paper it's hard to visualize just by the words alone. That, and this richly visual film is only represented by some murky black-and-white photos.
"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is a wonderful script, which spawned a wonderful film. And for fans of that film, this is an excellent accompaniment and resource.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thought provoking and truly original, January 18, 2005
This review is from: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: The Shooting Script (Newmarket Shooting Script Series) (Paperback)
This was a movie I didn't expect to like. I hadn't heard that much about it and wasn't all that enthusiastic about seeing another Jim Carey movie. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised.
First of all, this movie is truly original. That's rare these days. It revolves around the premise that you can erase someone from your memories. In this case, the "someone" to be erased is Kate Winslet's character of Clementine. She is wacky and artsy, and plays against Carey's straightlaced character Joel perfectly. I had just seen an interview with Winslet before this movie and was amazed at her accurate American accent. Very well done.
And Carey is brilliant. His toned down, not over the top portrayal of Joel was delightful and wonderful. This is the first time I actually thought of Carey as a very good actor. Both Carey and Winslet deserve an Oscar for this film.
In addition, the film is beautifully shot as well. This could have been a very goofy movie, with a premise that was hard to actually get into and believe, but this film worked perfectly on all accounts: writing, cinematography, acting. I would recommend this film to anyone that wants to see a thoroughly enjoyable, funny, sweet, interesting, wonderful film that is unlike any you've seen before.
From the author of The Difference Now, A New Dish, and At the Coffee Shop. (www.thedifferencenow.com).
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Eternal Intrigue of the Spotless Screenwriter, April 24, 2004
This review is from: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: The Shooting Script (Newmarket Shooting Script Series) (Paperback)
By fusing his already proven intellectual prowess with a warm, beating heart, Kaufman has devised his most affecting work yet. On its own terms, this is a lovely read - a rare screenplay that attains the readability of great fiction, rich as it is with deeply flawed, loveable characters. When compared to the Michel Gondry film it spawned, this truly reveals itself as a catch. The opportunity to study two media, two auteurs at the top of their game, and one heartbreaking story told in two strikingly different but profoundly similar ways is one rarely afforded to the movie lover; take it while you can. If the box office is any indication, it may soon be but a memory...
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