Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind DVD Review:

Joel (Carrey) can’t get over the fact that Clementine (Winslet) has left him. What makes it worse is that she refuses to acknowledge that she even knows him. This isn’t deliberate however because Clementine has undergone a new procedure that can remove selected memories, so she has had Joel totally erased from her past. Distraught, Joel dashes to Lacuna and begs Dr. Mierzwiak (Wilkinson) to do the same for him. What he doesn’t know is that as the memories disappear from his mind, he witnesses them all over again and he realises that he doesn’t want to lose what he had with Clementine from his life.

Charlie Kaufman is one of the most original screenwriter working in cinema today but his movies have never really appealed to a wide audience, until now.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is his most accessible work yet but before you think he has sold out to the Hollywood machine, this is also the best screenplay he has ever written. This is a complete story of love and loss that captures its essence at its most pure and raises some interesting questions during. What if you could have painful memories erased? What if you could totally forget the most hurtful moments of your life? Would this make life easier or would you be a lesser person because of it? All these questions and more are brought to the forefront as we examine not just Joel and Clementine’s lives but our own as well.

Kaufman’s fantastic script is thrust into existence by a tremendous cast capped by two outstanding performances from Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey. When Carrey plays it straight he reveals that he can be an exciting and brilliant actor. If he can restrain the rubber-faced, manic idiot from dragging him into one-dimensional performances, he is a real, award worthy talent. This role as Joel is one of those parts that showcases what he can do. This is natural, heartfelt acting that takes you on Joel’s roller coaster ride of emotion as the good and the bad of his relationship is laid bare for all to see. The same can be said for Kate Winslet’s performance as Clementine. She is an accomplished character actress (sporting a splendid American accent) who draws you into the emotion and passion that Clementine is feeling in the real world but she also plays it straight as the voice of reason within Joel’s ever decreasing mind.

An exquisite supporting cast backs up the two tremendous leads. Kristen Dunst proves again that she is a real talent. This is a pivotal performance in the movie, though you might not think it, as Dunst seems to breeze through the film without care in the world until her character comes to the forefront and the actress comes into her own. Mark Ruffalo’s reputation takes another big step upwards as technician Stan. He provides a lot of the comic relief in the movie working well with both Dunst and Elijah Wood. Wood himself is a typically eccentric Kaufman character and he has no trouble dropping his good guy image to play someone downright seedy. Tom Wilkinson is also great as Dr. Howard Mierzwiak, the man behind Lacuna.

An exceptional script and performances are brought together brilliantly by Michel Gondry. The former advert director’s vision is superb as he takes us on a trip into Joel’s mind. The editing is spot on, revealing plot hints as you go and then throwing the ending straight at you, leaving you completely overwhelmed. The subtle special effects give the illusion of disappearing memories as Clementine is slowly wiped from Joel’s mind. This is expertly handled as the dreamlike images flash before your eyes pulling you into his subconscious. This movie will put Gondry on the map as a visionary director to watch out for.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a wonderful love story wrapped up in a fantasy film. As well as been gleefully entertaining it will also raise questions about your own life and if taking away certain memories would change the person that you are. We’re all the sum of our own experiences and this is the message of the film that will grab you and refuse to let go, as you see parts of your own life in Joel and Clementine’s, making the movie a must see for everyone.

Star Rating = * * * * *

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Widescreen 1.85:1 Anamorphic with Dolby Digital 5.1 and dts soundtracks, the transfer is very good. Michel Gondry’s visual spectacle is brought superbly to life by a very sharp picture that complements style and look of this unique romantic comedy drama. The sound is also first rate with dialogue crystal clear and the wonderful score filling the speakers.

BONUS FEATURES

Feature Commentary with director Michel Gondry and writer Charlie Kaufman
This chatty, funny and informative commentary comes from two men who are friends as well as colleagues. The pair takes you from the initial pitch in 1998, through casting and the making of the movie. Director Michel Gondry explains how he used the minimum amount of special effects, reply more on in camera tricks, quick wardrobe changes and the ingenuity of his cast and crew to create Joel’s disappearing memories. Writer Charlie Kaufman reflects on the challenges of the script, his in-shoot rewrites and the collaborative process he enjoys with his directors. This is a very good commentary that lets you into the extremely creative world of Charlie Kaufman and his gifted colleagues.

A look inside Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (11.32 mins)

Director Michel Gondry, producer Anthony Bergman and stars Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Elijah Wood, Mark Ruffalo, Kirsten Dunst and Tom Wilkinson reveal the secrets behind Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. This featurette is basically a back slapping exercise but it is informative and funny at the same time. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet talk about what drew them to the script and the fact that they were playing against type, basically switching personalities on screen. Director Michel Gondry discusses the look and style of the movie and everyone involves expresses their own feelings about Charlie Kaufman’s story.

A Conversation with Jim Carrey and director Michel Gondry (15.35 mins)

With footage from rehearsals and behind the scenes, star Jim Carrey and director Michel Gondry reflect on bringing Charlie Kaufman’s unique vision to the screen. The featurette is very informative, revealing some of the visual tricks that were employed to create Joel’s disappearing memories. The pair discusses the creative processes involved in making the movie, offering gossip and stories from filming, while we get to see behind the scenes footage of gaffs and funny incidents that took place.

Deleted Scenes (6.59 mins)

These four deleted scenes show more of Lacuna and more of the interaction between Joel and Clementine but due to the lack of a commentary track or an introduction we don’t know why these scenes were removed.

Polyphonic Spree ‘Light & Day’ music video (3.01 mins)

An ingenious music video used to promote the movie that makes out that the characters from the movie are actually singing the song.

Lacuna Commercial (0.35 mins)

Your chance to watch the full version of the advert that make Joel want to remove his memories of Clementine.

OVERALL

An outstanding movie gets a good DVD treatment that will please fans of the film. The featurettes are well above average but it is the excellent commentary that makes this a must buy for everyone who loves Charlie Kaufman’s movies. When you throw in the inclusion of a dts soundtrack the value only increases. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a must buy for everyone’s collection.

DVD Star Rating = * * * *

Jamie Kelwick

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