Another masterpiece from Kaufman bolstered by restraint all round.

Rating: 10/10 (20 April 2004)

Charlie Kaufman has written another masterpiece but this is backed by superbly restrained contributions from director Michel Gondry and actors Jim Carrey (amazingly enough!), Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Tom Wilkinson and co. Billed even by fans as "confusing", in fact it is clear as a broken heart on a cold day once you know the gist (ie that first Winslet's Clementine and then Carrey's Joel go to Wilkinson's bizarre neurological practice to have their minds wiped clean of all memories of their failing relationship). The film has an emotional depth detractors of Kaufman's earlier work claim was lacking in them. In fact the only flaw proved illusory... I thought Kaufman and Gondry had gone on too long when Dunst's letters started to arrive but I was wrong ... this gives Carrey and Winslet the chance to do what they have to do. Highly recommended.