Brilliant, Bizarre, and Beautiful

Rating: 9/10 (21 March 2004)

Seeing the trailer for "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" made me want to go see the movie. The plot seemed deep and the music in the trailer added to the effect. Yet when I get excited to see a movie, I'm often disappointed because my expectations are too high to be fulfilled. Yet without further ado, I must say that "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" was exactly what I wanted it to be and more.
First of all, the ensemble cast in "Eternal Sunshine" is excellent and they all do a phenomenal job of acting. Also, Michael Gondry's direction combined with Ellen Kuras' cinematography cause the movie to have an almost surreal atmosphere. Charlie Kaufman's screenplay added to the bizarre effect, using voiceovers and dialogue at the right times in the right scenes. The music by Jon Brion and the other music by various artists also fit the movie perfectly. Furthermore, the origins of the title, which are revealed in the movie, make the viewer think.
It is this effect (causing one to think) that makes this movie brilliant. I guarantee, whether you like this movie or not, you will be thinking about this film from beginning to end, trying to figure out how it all fits together and why it fits as neatly as it does. I usually have some complaints about movies, even brilliant ones like this, but I can think of none, except that I may have to see it more than once to fully understand it.
But then again, that is what makes a movie excellent. And this movie is exactly that: excellent.
Final Grade: A+.