A Breakthrough

Rating: 10/10 (28 June 2007)

ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND
***** stars out of 5 (10/10).
"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is one of the best romance movies ever made. The film is intriguing, intelligent, and wonderful.
Joel Barish (JIM CARREY) has had a bad ending to a wonderful relationship with Clementine Kruczynski (KATE WINSLET). After learning of a facility that is able to depress memories in certain parts of the brain, he determines that it's best to wipe all knowledge of Clementine from his head. Besides, she had the same operation done about Joel, and what better to wipe all and any memory of their time together from the face of the earth. While the operation is underway and Joel unconscious, he quickly revisits those memories of time spent with Clementine. He realizes that some memories are best not forgotten, and he tries to find a way to savor the last moments and events of their love that he can.
When the credits roll, you can't help but understand one thing; this is a beautifully crafted piece of art. It is moving, deep, and emotionally real. It digs beneath our skin, and reminds us why our memories are big part of our life. The film is mislabeled as a romantic/comedy. Yes, there are a few smiles, but this movie is a drama and make no mistake about it. It can be very sad, but it's not without hope. Jim Carrey gives the best performance of his career, one I can only describe as a breakthrough. Kate Winslet is the best actress of her generation, and continues her roll of great work. There are also powerful performances from ELIJAH WOOD, TOM WILKINSON, MARK RUFFALO, and KIRSTEN DUNST. The screenplay is flawless, the direction superb, and the performances poignant. It is a great movie anyway you turn it. It is an amazing vision from beginning to end.
Yes, the movie can be strange, but you don't realize until you get up from your seat. The film is so absorbing that you forget about the strange or the unreal. A movie with that kind of ability has some power to it. While there will be people this isn't the film for, I would find it hard to believe if you came out of this wonderful exhibit of talent unsatisfied. Simply put, this is a brilliant film.