Memento Momentum

Rating: 8/10 (2 June 2004)

Seems like we like films dealing with memory loss. Always have. But the recent Memento (2000) has seemed to generate a few more movies (there are hundreds, just put amnesia into the IMDB plot search engine)in which individuals have challenges - Mulholland Drive (2001) and Fifty First Dates (2004) are good examples, with even Ellen DeGeneres' Dory in Finding Nemo putting a humourous touch to the genre. But did I say genre? Because "Eternal Sunshine" sort of backs into the situation in what should be frightening fashion but has us exulting in the ultimate outcome.
Jim Carrey's Joel determines that erasing the memory of his relationship with his long-time girlfriend will be the answer to the pain he feels when he finds she has had HER memory removed. The lab and the technical background, the physician (Tom Wilkinson) and the technical staff (Mark Ruffalo, Kirsten Dunst, Elihah Wood) are darned funny in their own right, adding a terrific touch to the credibility of the situation.
What ensues, however, is not what we suspect will occur - at all. And there is the reason to follow the excellent story as the director (and most significantly Carrey) lead us towards the memorable conclusion.