Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) (M)
Charlie Kaufman is easily the most interesting screenwriter working in Hollyweird now. And if you enjoyed his earlier films (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation), you will not want to miss this excellent anti-romance film.
If you're a regular reader of my reviews, you will be aware my least favorite genre are romances, but Eternal Sunshine,
with its mix of science fiction and fantasy makes the best points about relationships I have seen for years.
For the film admits that life is not perfect and relationships take a lot of work. From the opening ten minutes when you
have no idea what is going on, to the climax that just seems to keep building, Eternal Sunshine is one of the most
mature films I have seen since I started reviewing. And the film also stars the really annoying Jim Carrey, usually an
actor I want to kill after 2 minutes, but music video director-turned-big boy Michael Gondry has crafted a very focused,
quiet excellent performance from Carrey, something I thought I would never say.
Kate Winslet is a great actress who is sometimes let down by the material she chooses, but her Clementine in 'Eternal'
is a film ideally suited to her talents, and she gives her best performance in years.
Adult, funny and exuberant, this film is easily on my top ten list of the year, and if you like films that make you
think, but still entertain, you have to watch this film. And if, like me, you have no time for ridiculous romance, this
is the best anti-romance film since the brilliant Bull Durham. Highly recommended for the adventurous.