A master piece!

Rating: 10/10 (13 November 2019)

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind seems to be told in a careless way, with a certain documentary effect, similar to the French Nouvelle Vague from the 50's.
The use of low-key lighting is very noticeable with minimal use of artificial light, abrupt cuts and disordered timing. The presence of the camera has a well-marked purpose. Becoming the eyes of the spectator, the hand-held camera takes us though each scene and makes us part of the plot.
No attempt is made to make the photography 'beautiful' or appealing. In fact, by making the surroundings look monotonous, an atmosphere of extreme tension is created. This is enhanced by the frequent use of sepia tones and grays, emphasizing the character's depressed state of mind. In this way, when cold tonalities are used, accompanied by extreme long shots, the stature of the character is diminished and minimized, especially when placed into a usually deserted and monochromatic background.
In terms of montage, the story is told in a non-chronological way, using flashbacks and flashforwards. The montage seems to be experimental. The abrupt cuts in single scenes, serve to make the editing appear more accidental and spontaneous. The acceleration of time, the quick combination of shots and the introduction of absurd elements, characterize the oneiric scenes and manages to create a surrealistic atmosphere.