Exhilarating; fun; puzzling; human

Rating: 10/10 (4 May 2004)

Roger Ebert's review (excellent) calls this type of film "Cinema Maze" -- something that needs to be figured out, solved, to find one's way out. Very apt. While it's fun to see this movie once, it's even more fun and worthwhile to see it twice. On a second view, I was astounded to find that I'd completely blanked out several minutes near the end, maybe a result of diverting my focus to process what I'd been seeing?
I was attracted to this film because Charlie Kauffman ("Being John Malkovitch," "Adaptation") wrote the screenplay.
Kauffman has a gift for distorting reality somewhat like Escher, in art, or constructing a Möbius strip (the 3D geometric figure that has only one surface and one edge) in such a way that he turns inside out our usual sense of logic and the way things are. But in doing so in this film, Kauffman reveals more deeply how they really are. In "Eternal Sunshine," he does it with human memory and pain, attraction, commitment and disappointment, and love. (There are even a few side trips that illumine ethical snares in helper-helpee relations -- something those who stay on the ethical side in doctor-patient type relationships will enjoy.)
Don't see it if you do NOT like being challenged by a film. But don't miss it if you enjoy being encouraged to think -- not only on how the film's pieces fit together but about relationships. In that way, it's a bit like "Swimming Pool" but more upbeat and poignant.
Some say this is Carey's best work and perhaps it is. But Winslet's role is probably the film's axle -- and the support by Wilkerson plus the others in lesser roles is superb.
The title comes from line 209 of the poem "Eloisa to Abelard."
Take one dose, then repeat 3 days to one week later, and enjoy!