No one writes movies like Charlie Kaufman. Who else would make his feature screenwriting debut about a portal inside the brain of John Malkovich as he did in Being John Malkovich? Who else would turn his angst of trying to adapt a book into a meta-story of himself trying to adapt a book as he did in his follow-up, Adaptation? For his third feature screenplay, Kaufman took yet another unusual detour into the world of romance. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a brilliant deconstruction of love that for the first time connected Kaufman’s head to his heart.
Jim Carrey plays Joel, a man fresh off a break-up with his girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet). When Joel learns that Clementine has had a procedure to have all the memories of him erased from her mind, Joel retaliates by doing the same. The film takes place primarily inside Joel’s head as his moments with Clementine are erased one by one. As Joel’s love for Clementine is rekindled, he fights to hold onto his memories before they’re gone for good. Director Michel Gondry transforms Kaufman’s unique premise into a heartfelt meditation on love and commitment. Eternal Sunshine is a love story for the ages, and one of the best movies of all time.
Join Jon and Tim as they discuss romantic movies, Charlie Kaufman’s career, how Ace Ventura became an introvert, Elijah Wood’s creepy Frodo, what the Enneagram reveals about relationships, erasing memories on social media, and why pain is necessary for true love.
