Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind SPOILERS

Rating: Null/10 (2 October 2004)

I know you're all going to be ridiculously angry at me, but...
I thought the filmwriter had an incredible idea and I applaud it. I liked the way he used the theories that love conquers all and that what's meant to happen will, but honestly, I don't think the film itself was that original. A lot of it was actually highly predictable, something I wouldn't expect from Kaufman.
I admit that Gondry did a great job with the filmography; it couldn't have been easy. But from Kaufman I expect something highly original out of the whole film, not just the basis. Granted, there are a few slight surprises. You expect Mary to have loved/been with Howard. You even expect something to happen before the end of the movie. You DON'T expect Mary to have had the procedure, or for her to send all the materials back to all the 'victims,' something that bothered me immensely. Obviously the people who had it done, had it done for a reason; all she's resurrecting is pain.
Secondly, the Clementine on the train is a completely different person from the Clementine who Joel met originally, a fact that also got to me. She was funny and winning the first time. The second, on the train? She was just annoying. I want to like Clementine. I liked her the rest of the movie. But in that scene, one that was dragged out for far too long, she just seemed like a petulant child for a great deal of it. The only good part was when she told Joel she likes it that he's nice.
Whereas in a movie like Donnie Darko, everything falls into place to make you go OH, MY GOSH, I GET IT, in this movie, everything falls into place too late, so you have no CLUE what's going on 'til the end. A lot of things seem to be happening out of place, and Kaufman doesn't give you any semblance of a hint, which would be nice in getting the gist of the movie.
Even the title completely misrepresents the movie. Yes, it comes from an Alexander Pope quote, but it makes you think maybe something good happens to those who can't remember, maybe it would make Joel's or Clementine's life happier. All the procedure does, though, is cause Joel pain. He spends most of the movie trying to fight it off. Similarly, 'spotless mind' makes you think maybe something accidentally happened and they erased his whole memory. That would make the movie all the more interesting. But no, he just doesn't remember Clem for a few weeks, and then they get back together again.
Don't get me wrong, when I got it, I gasped and said I GOT IT! and all my friends laughed at me, 'til five minutes later when they all went I GOT IT! It's a liberating feeling, and it's kind of fun to know you understood something before they told you what it meant. And it's enjoyable if you just want a Friday night flick, but just don't go in expecting pure brilliance. You may be disappointed.