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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: Universal Studios
Salesrank: 17194
Released: September 28, 2004 |
| Our Price: $7.47 |
| Used Price: $2.40 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
When joel discovers that his girlfriend clementine has had their tumultuous relationship erased from her mind through an experimental scientific procedure he decides to erase his own pain by getting the same treatment. But as each memory is eliminated joel suddenly realizes how much he still loves her. Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 09/04/2007 Starring: Jim Carrey Elijah Wood Run time: 108 minutes Rating: R
Description of Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (Full Screen Edition):
Screenwriters rarely develop a distinctive voice that can be recognized from movie to movie, but the ornate imagination of Charlie Kaufman (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation) has made him a unique and much-needed cinematic presence. In Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a guy decides to have the memories of his ex-girlfriend erased after she's had him erased from her own memory--but midway through the procedure, he changes his mind and struggles to hang on to their experiences together. In other hands, the premise of memory-erasing would become a trashy science-fiction thriller; Kaufman, along with director Michel Gondry, spins this idea into a funny, sad, structurally complex, and simply enthralling love story that juggles morality, identity, and heartbreak with confident skill. The entire cast--Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Elijah Wood, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Wilkinson, and more--give superb performances, carefully pitched so that cleverness never trumps feeling. A great movie. --Bret Fetzer
Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (Full Screen Edition) Reviews:
For a Love Story this was Great! 
2009-11-23 - I am frequently a fan of memory related films that jump around in time and confuse the watcher with present time vs. dreams. This movie is such a great fight for two people who despite their flaws love one another even though they have hurt each other. It sends a message about consequences of actions and value of the people we love. Well written and filmed.
no jokes about my name
2009-11-11 - 10 THE FILM ITSELF
8.5 VISUALS
10 SOUND
8.0 PACKAGING
7.7 EXTRAS
What is Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind?
A love story? Yes.
The best performance by Jim Carrey? Yes.
An extremely depressing look at modern romance? Yes.
An instant classic? Yes.
From the first preview I saw of Eternal Sunshine, I was instantly curious as to what this movie would be about. And after watching this film over 3 dozen times, I find something new every single time. Is it kind of confusing to follow with how the plot is set up and the quirky special effects? Yeah, but does that make it hard to enjoy? Absolutely not. Girls who love chick flicks will find something to enjoy and guys who want a film that isn't a normal everyday bore will find something new and interesting here.
The story follows Joel Barish (Jim Carrey, in what I believe is his best performance in his career) as he retraces his memories of his up and down relationship with Clementine Kruczynski (Kate Winslet). After learning that she has erased him from her memory after a series of fights, he quickly and hastily does the same. And then, during the procedure - which is the equivalent of a "night of heavy drinking" - he decides that he'd rather keep the memories than not have any recollection of someone so important in his life. It makes you think, what would you do? Would you erase someone from your mind because it ended badly, or would you keep them because it makes you who you are? The most interesting point is that the film ultimately runs backwards, from the disruptive end of their relationship tracing back to the good times they had when they first met before problems became a main thorn in their side. And it's great to see a film shot this way because I believe most people always think when their personal relationships end, 'how did it go so wrong? Things were just perfect' and this shows that shift between a 'perfect' beginning and an abrupt ending.
The film makes you think, like all great films. The zany plot twists, creative characters and sci-fi type feel of the movie make this an entirely new, fresh experience. few films are this bold or puzzling, and with such an amazingly well known cast, I'm surprised this movie isn't a bigger hit because it definitely should be.
8.5 VISUALS
It's a character driven film, but the special effects come through nicely. When random objects start infiltrating memories they aren't apart of it really gives you a sense of chaos but nothing looks out of place or cheesy.
10 SOUND
One of the best soundtracks in a movie yet. Great collection of songs and a beautiful score by Jon Brion really add another dimension to an already wonderfully underrated film.
8.0 PACKAGING
The cover is simple and not overdone with scenes or characters (usually when film covers have tons of junk of them it means the film is going to be bad) and the menu screen is easy to naviagate although it reuses one of the images from the cover again when there's tons of images they could've used to set up the feel for the film.
7.7 EXTRAS
There's only 6 special features on the single disc set of Eternal Sunshine, and while none truly standout it's still a good collection of features.
1. "A Look Inside" is a behind the scenes look at the movie and people's ideas and thoughts about the project.
2. "A Conversation with Jim Carrey & Michel Gondry" is exactly what the title says. The two men don't really offer alot in terms of information. Short and kind of a fluff piece.
3. Commentary w/ Michel Gondry & Charlie Kaufman. I was expecting more from this commentary. That's not to say that it's bad, but it is a little slow and it's almost impossible to understand what Gondry says half the time.
4. "Deleted Scenes". There are not alot of scenes here and none are necessary for the film (hence why they were cut), and most are usually pretty short. Only a few minutes of scenes.
5. "Polyphonic Spree 'Light & Day' Music Video" is a 3 minute song that has clips from the film over the song. It's kinda creepy since the only change in the scenes is the overexaggerated mouth that moves over the characters' own. Good song though, fits the film well.
6. "Lacuna Commercial" is a 30 second clip about Lacuna by Dr. Howard Mierzwiak.
IN CLOSING
Eternal Sunshine is my second favorite movie (behind Fight Club, of course) for many, many reasons. And this DVD release does a great job with visuals and a masterful score along with some good bonus features. While ultimately I would've liked something a little better or more substantial for special features, I guess that's why there's a 2-dsic special edition I must get my hands on.
9.4/10 "OUTSTANDING"
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind... I'm Sorry I Forgot the Movie
2009-11-03 -
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: 9 out of 10: Screenwriter Charlie Kaufman is in a league of his own. If cloning is ever allowed in the United States we need to clone Mr. Kaufman. (If there is any community that will embrace cloning it will be Hollywood. Name any other place in America where nepotism is a religion. Hiring your own clone is the ultimate in nepotism.)
Charlie Kaufman has found that fine line between realistic dialog and interesting dialog. Characters talk, fight and fall in love just like they do in real life. But unlike most movies that try to mirror real life speech Kaufman makes it interesting. (Of course it helps that Kaufman is always throwing in the bizarre; such as adulterous homicidal book authors addicted to sniffing Angel Trumpet or people entering John Malkovich's head.)
Now just imagine if a Kaufman clone could, oh I don't know, help George Lucas write romantic dialog. (If there is anyone who occupies the opposite side of the good dialog screen writing scales its Lucas. His dialog is so wooden it would embarrass a marionette. Plus think of the Variety headline "Kaufman Clone helps pen Clones")
Oh the movie. Eternal Sunshine has some great performances especially by a subdued Jim Carrey. (This should surprise but after his brilliant turn in Man on the Moon, the only real surprise is how with his quiet desperate performance you forget its Carrey.) There is a really good subplot about the goings on at a mind erasure clinic. (The movie sensibly sets it up as a no big deal four-man operation like one of those laser eye surgery places in a strip mall.)
And there is a really realistic romance between Carrey and Kate Winslet that blows most movies away. Currently ranked Fifty-Seventh greatest movie of all time by the IMDb. Eternal Sunshine is one movie you won't be able to get out of your head.
Timeless.
2009-10-27 - I always enjoy movies that are a little out there. Eternal Sunshine passes with flying colors.
This movie is relatable, but not in a way that makes it boring.
We all know the story of having love, losing love, and wanting to make that pain go away.
This movie takes that and twists it so that you can see what life would really have been like without them and how it would be better and worse and why ultimately you are who you are because of what you got out of the person and how you helped mold them.
I like Jim Carrey and it was wonderful to see him take on a more serious role and do so superbly. Kate Winslet can play crazy and out there like no one's business. Kirsten Dunst adds a young fresh twist to the movie along with Elija Wood and Mark Ruffalo plays geeky just perfectly.
I recommend this movie to anyone who likes a mind trip and/ or a movie that is serious without being totally depressing.
Amazing Film!!!
2009-10-18 - Usually I like to watch comedies as well as action/adventure films, but this particular movie broadened my horizon to films that transcend typical storytelling. The premise is unique and with a 5-star cast, there is no denying a stellar performance. Granted you must watch the movie with an open mind to fully immerse yourself to this world. Don't expect hilarious comedy and action-packed adventure in this film, but do expect that this movie is one-of-a-kind
-steven
