(4 out of 4 feet)

Rating: Null/10 (29 March 2004)

-By Brad Baer
BaerFoot Reviews
The movie opens with Joel Barish (Jim Carrey) getting out of bed, clearly disappointed about the days work ahead of him. We hear his voiceover on why Valentine's Day was created by greeting card companies; Joel, as we will come to find out, has separated from his girl. Joel decides, to reasons he cannot explain in his voiceover, that he is going to call in sick and go to the beach. Walking on the beach he meets Clementine Kruczynski; (Kate Winslet) we are surprised to see someone else there since it is winter. What follows then is the most awkward beginning to a relationship that I have ever seen. They fight as if they have had a history together. Foreshadowing?
I will not fill in the gaps for I do not want to give away any more of the movie. What follows though, is a heartwarming love story that is sure to leave you in awe, once again, of Kaufman's story telling. Some will rate this as one of the best romantic movies of all time, some will look towards it to strengthen their own relationships, and some will call it unrealistic and point out its flaws. The genius of this movie is that we will all walk away with different theories; I took `love conquers all' from it.
Charlie Kaufman has quickly become a favorite of mine; first with Being John Malkovich, then with the highly underrated Human Nature, then Adaptation, and now this. I cannot wait for his new project with Spike Jones, the director of Adaptation and Malkovich.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a surprisingly warm hearted story that stays true to Kaufman's imaginative story telling. This movie is perhaps his most brilliant work to date; it leaves me wanting more of his ingenious style.
Charlie Kaufman has done it again.