Page 30 - HERE AND NOW Dec 2022

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

by MUKTA KAMPLIKAR

I watched ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ twice and I was at first fascinated by the sheer fictional
idea of being able to erase bad memories. As I progressed through the film, some deeper meanings
emerged. It was quite a journey of what might be – “Looking back, Looking forward.”

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a complex, eccentric and delicate love story. Fiction and fantasy,
yes, but it also raises interesting questions as we Look Back and Look forward. To me, the film felt surreal,
flowing and fresh in terms of a new idea. It had some tear-jerking shots as well. The film investigates real-
life themes like love, the nature of attraction, destiny, regret, communication, and the importance of
memory. There are a lot of life lessons for relationships and love, of the whole idea of existence and faith.
With themes so human, the film resonates with me.
The storyline: Joel Barish (Jim Carrey) is an emotionally withdrawn man and Clementine Kruczynski (Kate
Winslet), his girlfriend, is a dysfunctional free spirit. They are inexplicably attracted to each other despite
their different personalities. They did not realize it at the time, but they are former lovers now separated
after two years together. After a nasty fight, Clementine has had her memories of their relationship erased
from her mind. Upon learning this, Joel is devastated and goes to the doctor to have the same procedure
done. However, while unconscious, Joel has second thoughts and decides he wants to keep his memories
of Clementine. Much of the film takes place in Joel's brain as he tries to find a way to preserve his
memories of Clementine, while two Lacuna Corporation techies, Patrick (Elijah Wood) and Stan (Mark
Ruffalo) try to erase the memories. We watch their love and courtship go in reverse: The memories are
slowly erased while Joel tries his best to resist the procedure and hide inside his mind.

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