One of my favorites in all of 2004

Rating: 10/10 (6 December 2004)

For a high-concept setting, it's not a high-concept movie, and that's what works so well about Eternal Sunshine. I found the film engaging, immersive, and -- for a movie about memory erasure -- surprisingly real. I'd imagine that even people who find they don't enjoy "weird" movies might find a lot to relate to in Eternal Sunshine, as the movie provokes a viewer's memories of the exhilaration of meeting someone for the first time, and the pain they felt as the relationship disintigrated.
The screenplay provides a completely solid basis for the performances, and casting Carrey and Winslet as the lead couple worked great. Who'd have thunk it? Jim Carrey plays an introvert, while Winslet plays a frumpy and moody girl on the edge... and it fits perfectly. I was somewhat less enthusiastic about Mark Ruffalo, Kirsten Dunst, and Elijah Wood, but overall, they didn't get in the way too much.
A fine movie, full of interesting visuals and compelling characters... definitely worth a look.