Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: The Shooting Script (Newmarket Shooting Script Series) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Michel Gondry (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The newest original screenplay from the Oscar®-nominated writer of Adaptation and Being John Malkovich—the only book on his new film starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Tom Wilkinson, Elijah Wood, and Mark Ruffalo. In the new Charlie Kaufman film directed by Michel Gondry, Joel (Jim Carrey) is stunned to discover that his girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) has had her memories of their tumultuous relationship erased. Out of desperation, he contacts the inventor of the process, Dr. Howard Mierzwiak (Tom Wilkinson), to have Clementine removed from his own memory. But as Joel's memories progressively disappear, he begins to rediscover their earlier passion. From deep within the recesses of his brain, Joel attempts to escape the procedure. As Dr. Mierzwiak and his crew (Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood) chase him through the maze of his memories, it's clear that Joel just can't get her out of his head.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: The Shooting Script includes the complete screenplay, a selection of black-and-white movie stills, selected production notes, and complete cast and crew credits. 20 b/w photos.

About the Author

Charlie Kaufman received Academy Award nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Screenplay for Adaptation and Being John Malkovich, both films that he collaborated on with director Spike Jonze. He won the PEN Center USA 2003 Literary Award for Best Screenplay for Adaptation. He previously collaborated with director Michel Gondry on Human Nature and wrote the screenplay Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Newmarket Press (March 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557046107
• ISBN-13: 978-1557046109
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #76,086 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Eternally spotless, June 26, 2005

By	E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

"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.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking and truly original, January 18, 2005

By	Bonjour Poetry Reviews (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

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).

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eternal Intrigue of the Spotless Screenwriter, April 24, 2004

By	Wanton Boy (Ontario) - See all my reviews

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...