The most fascinating thing about ESotSM is why people like it.

Rating: Null/10 (27 December 2004)

I am sincerely curious as to why so many people seem to like this film. Does it awaken their own desire for "endless and unquenchable" love? Have they tired of "12 Monkeys", "Total Recall", "The Butterfly Effect", and "Irreversible"? Do they want to feel hip? Is there a Carrey/Winslett cult out there? Do people want to see their primal fears about exactly what medical personnel do when they are undergoing a procedure?
But, let's get back to the movie itself and some of its major flaws.
First, as many reviewers have pointed out, Carrey and Winslett simply have no chemistry. Zero. Nada. Zip. This lack of chemistry makes it very difficult for us to believe that Carrey would be so tenacious and, presumably, unique in fighting the memory manipulation. The fact that he does can only reflect the weakness of character and the dependence he has on others for any meaning in his life. Basically, he's one degree removed from being a stalker.
Second, there is no plot. There is a cute concept - not original, but cute - around which a whole movie has been made. Compare this to "The Sixth Sense", which was also a movie built around a single "trick," but which redeemed itself through the rich characterizations and growth of the main characters. ESotSM has none of this.
Third, the ONE actual piece of plot involves a very silly deus ex machina the writer uses to get out of a clumsy situation. It is unbelievable, irrational, and unsatisfying. (I'm referring of course to the "subplot" involving Dunst and Wood.) I find it quite insulting.
Last, it is just plain boring. The acting is flat and the characters simply don't earn our sympathy enough for us to care what goes on in their "dream or reality?" sequences. In "Groundhog Day", most people actually come to care for the self-centered and boorish Bill Murray as he repeats that single day ad infinitum. You won't do that in this movie.
In summary, this is a slightly classier version of a Harlequin romance: True Love is too strong to be denied, even using the strongest force (technology) available to us. Now that I think about it, Fabio would have been good in Carrey's role, since Carrey can't seem to master that look of longing he needs.
* out of ****