WOW... this movie is something special

Rating: 10/10 (8 June 2004)

I was never a big fan of Being John Malkovich... It was a clever idea, with some memorable scenes, but I never *connected* with the story - it had no personal meaning to me.
Eternal Sunshine was different. When the movie finished I was sitting there stunned... It was so beautiful. I guess a recent relationship break-up helped intensify the emotional impact of the movie for me, but the immense creativity and superb dialogue made sure it wasn't just a routine chick flick.
I also loved how the various pieces of the puzzle, past, present, surreal, were weaved together in a way that didn't require huge concentration to work out what was going on. I found it possible to be absorbed into the movie and by the end everything gently slotted into place.
A friend of mine (OK, the girl i just broke up with) has had trouble drumming up sufficient motivation to see the movie because of the presence of the rubber faced man in the lead role. It is strange casting, but I think it works. The reason is probably that he plays more of his real self and less of the guy on stage cracking jokes. And Kate Winslett is just wonderful as usual.