Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Director:

Michel Gondry

Writers (WGA):

Charlie Kaufman (story) &
Michel Gondry (story) ...
(more)

Release Date:

19 March 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

I already forget how I used to feel about you.

Plot:

A couple undergo a procedure to erase each other from their memories when their relationship turns sour, but it is only through the process of loss that they discover what they had to begin with.

Plot Keywords:

Memory | Love | Crush | Valentine's Day | Beach

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 46 wins & 54 nominations

Cast

Jim Carrey	...	Joel Barish
Kate Winslet	...	Clementine Kruczynski
Gerry Robert Byrne	...	Train Conductor
Elijah Wood	...	Patrick
Thomas Jay Ryan	...	Frank
Mark Ruffalo	...	Stan
Jane Adams	...	Carrie
David Cross	...	Rob
Kirsten Dunst	...	Mary
Tom Wilkinson	...	Dr. Mierzwiak
Ryan Whitney	...	Young Joel
Debbon Ayer	...	Joel's Mother
Amir Ali Said	...	Young Bully
Brian Price	...	Young Bully
Paulie Litt	...	Young Bully (as Paul Litowski)
Josh Flitter	...	Young Bully
Lola Daehler	...	Young Clementine
Deirdre O'Connell	...	Hollis
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Lauren Adler	...	Rollerblader (uncredited)

Directed by
Michel Gondry

Writing credits (WGA)
Charlie Kaufman		(story) &
Michel Gondry		(story) &
Pierre Bismuth		(story)
Charlie Kaufman		(screenplay)

Produced by
Georges Bermann	....	executive producer
Anthony Bregman	....	producer
David L. Bushell	....	executive producer (as David Bushell)
Linda Fields	....	associate producer (as Linda Fields Hill)
Steve Golin	....	producer
Michael Jackman	....	associate producer (as Michael A. Jackman)
Charlie Kaufman	....	executive producer
Glenn Williamson	....	executive producer

Original Music by
Jon Brion

Cinematography by
Ellen Kuras		(director of photography)

Film Editing by
Valdís Óskarsdóttir		(as Valdis Oskarsdottir)

Casting by
Jeanne McCarthy		(as Jeanne Mccarthy)

Production Design by
Dan Leigh

Art Direction by
David Stein

Set Decoration by
Ron von Blomberg		(as Ron Von Blomberg)

Costume Design by
Melissa Toth

Makeup Department
Michelle Johnson	....	key hair stylist (as D. Michelle Johnson)
Peter Owen	....	wigs
Kyra Panchenko	....	key makeup artist
Francesca Paris	....	hair stylist: Mr. Carrey
Noriko Watanabe	....	hair stylist: Ms. Winslet
Noriko Watanabe	....	makeup artist: Ms. Winslet
Allen Weisinger	....	makeup artist: Mr. Carrey
Rose Chatterton	....	hair stylist (uncredited)
Nicki Ledermann	....	additional makeup artist (uncredited)
Evelyne Noraz	....	additional key makeup artist (uncredited)

Production Management
Ray Angelic	....	assistant unit production manager
David L. Bushell	....	unit production manager (as David Bushell)
Michael Jackman	....	post-production supervisor (as Michael A. Jackman)
Jeff Roth	....	executive in charge of post-production

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Scott Ferguson	....	second assistant director
Michael Hausman	....	first assistant director
Peter Thorell	....	second second assistant director
Noelle Stehman	....	additional second assistant director (uncredited)
Adam T. Weisinger	....	additional second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Liz Bonaventura	....	scenic (as Elizabeth Bonaventura)
James Boniece	....	key construction grip
Garf Brown	....	scenic
Brian Buteau	....	set dresser
Ruth Deleon	....	on-set dresser (as Ruth A. DeLeon)
Paul George Divone	....	shop craftsman
James Donahue	....	scenic
Natalie N. Dorset	....	assistant set decorator
David Scott Gagnon	....	set dresser (as D. Scott Gagnon)
Emily Gaunt	....	scenic
Jonathan Graham	....	key construction grip
Roman Greller	....	set dresser
Anne Beiser Haywood	....	charge scenic
Brent Haywood	....	construction coordinator
James Hoff	....	camera scenic (as Hollis James Hoff)
Miguel Jimenez	....	key construction electric
Roberto Jiménez	....	key construction electric (as Roberto Jiminez)
Hinju Kim	....	assistant art director
Zbigniew 'Ziggy' Kouros	....	key construction grip (as Zbigniew Kouros)
Julius Kozlowski	....	scenic
Gordon Krause	....	key shop craftsman
Kevin Ladson	....	property master
Mark Lane-Davies	....	scenic
Michael Leather	....	leadperson (as Mike Leather)
Addy McClelland	....	art department coordinator
Mike Melchiove	....	shop craftsman
Nick Miller	....	construction coordinator (as Nicholas R. Miller)
Ronald Miller	....	shop craftsman
Scott P. Murphy	....	assistant art director
Morgan Pitts	....	props
Paul Proch	....	creator: Joel's sketchbook
Sean Robinson	....	key shop craftsman
John Roche	....	set dresser
Sam Z. Rogers	....	shop scenic
R. Vincent Smith	....	assistant property master
Patricia Sprott	....	scenic foreman
Robert Vaccariello	....	foreman shop craftsman (as Robert A. Vaccariello)
Andrew M. Velechenko	....	shop craftsman (as Andrew M. Velenchenko)
Derrick Alford	....	carpenter (uncredited)
Eric Bryant	....	art department assistant (uncredited)
Scott Paige	....	props (uncredited)
Jeffrey Rollins	....	set dresser (uncredited)
Ray Tintori	....	art department intern (uncredited)

Sound Department
Kam Chan	....	foley editor
Marko A. Costanzo	....	foley artist (as Marko Constanzo)
Chris Fielder	....	assistant sound editor
Eugene Gearty	....	sound designer
Eugene Gearty	....	sound re-recording mixer
Frank Kern	....	supervising foley editor
George A. Lara	....	foley mixer (as George Lara)
Marissa Littlefield	....	adr editor
Tommy Louie	....	boom operator
Tom Nelson	....	sound mixer (as Thomas Nelson)
Jay Peck	....	foley artist
Fred Rosenberg	....	dialogue editor
Kira Smith	....	utility sound technician
Reilly Steele	....	sound re-recording mixer
Philip Stockton	....	supervising sound editor
Paul Urmson	....	sound effects editor
Steven Visscher	....	foley editor (as Steve Visscher)
Larry Wineland	....	assistant sound editor
Alexa Zimmerman	....	apprentice sound editor
Kyle Godbey	....	sound effects intern (uncredited)
Christopher Harvengt	....	adr supervisor (uncredited)
Nigel Heath	....	adr recordist (uncredited)
Hal Levinsohn	....	adr editor (uncredited)
Bob Olari	....	sound recordist (uncredited)
Greg Steele	....	adr mixer (uncredited)
David Warzynski	....	foley assistant (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Mark Bero	....	special effects
Drew Jiritano	....	special effects coordinator
Thomas Viviano	....	special effects (as Thomas L. Viviano)

Visual Effects by
Tricia Barrett	....	digital compositor: Custom Film Effects
Ryan Beadle	....	i/o: Custom Film Effects
Steve Caldwell	....	digital compositor: Custom Film Effects
Mark Dornfeld	....	visual effects supervisor: Custom Film Effects
Brent Ekstrand	....	lead animator
Michele Ferrone	....	visual effects producer: Custom Film Effects
Martin Garner	....	computer graphics supervisor
Adam Gass	....	digital editorial: Custom Film Effects
R.J. Harbour	....	digital compositor: Custom Film Effects (as RJ Harbour)
Shaina Holmes	....	digital compositor: Custom Film Effects
Ara Khanikian	....	inferno flame artist: Buzz Image Group
Melanie La Rue	....	coordinator: Buzz Image Group (as Mélanie Larue)
Alexandre Lafortune	....	3-d animator: Buzz Image Group
Pierre-Simon Lebrun-Chaput	....	matte painter: Buzz Image Group
Stéphane Loiselle	....	coordinator: Buzz Image Group
François Lord	....	3-d animator: Buzz Image Group
Francois Metivier	....	senior inferno artist: Buzz Image Group (as François Métivier)
Lori C. Miller	....	digital compositor: Custom Film Effects (as Lori Miller)
Louis Morin	....	visual effects supervisor: Buzz Image Group
Martin Pelletier	....	3-d animator: Buzz Image Group
L. Elizabeth Powers	....	digital supervisor: Custom Film Effects (as Laurie Powers)
Glenn Silver	....	3-d animator: Buzz Image Group
David Smithson	....	data wrangler: Custom Film Effects
Mary C. Snyder	....	digital compositor: Custom Film Effects (as Mary C. Hoffer)
Robin Tremblay	....	lead matte painter: Buzz Image Group
Gabriel Tremblay-Beauvais	....	3-d animator: Buzz Image Group (as Gabriel Tremblay)
Amani Williams	....	digital compositor: Custom Film Effects
Derek Bird	....	digital compositor (uncredited)
Jacqueline Cooper	....	visual effects artist (uncredited)
Dennis Dorney	....	digital lineup (uncredited)
Pam Kray	....	16mm projectionist (uncredited)
Alexandre Lafortune	....	digital effects artist (uncredited)
Kevin Lin	....	digital cleanup artist (uncredited)
Thomas Mathai	....	data manager (uncredited)
Mark Sawicki	....	effects photography (uncredited)

Stunts
Danny Aiello III	....	stunt player
Bill Anagnos	....	stunt player (as Billy Anagnos)
E.J. Evans	....	stunt player
John R. Favre	....	stunt player (as John Favre)
Stephanie Finochio	....	stunt player
Cort Hessler	....	stunt player (as Cort Hessler III)
Artie Malesci	....	stunt player
Peewee Piemonte	....	stunt player
Stephen A. Pope	....	stunt player (as Stephen Pope)
Michael Russo	....	stunt player (as Mike Russo)
Brian Smyj	....	stunt coordinator

Camera and Electrical Department
Peter Agliata	....	camera operator: "b" camera
Robert M. Andres	....	key grip (as Bob Andres)
Alison Barton	....	grip
Angela Bellisio	....	camera loader
Braden Belmonte	....	second assistant camera
Kelly Britt	....	board operator
Tony Campenni	....	grip
Mel Cannon	....	grip
Sam Chase	....	genny operator (as Samuel Chase)
Lamont Crawford	....	dolly grip
Andrea Cronin-Souza	....	electrician
Paul Daley	....	rigging gaffer
James Domorski	....	24 frame playback
Stanley Fernandez Jr.	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera
Ray Flynn	....	rigging electric (as Raymond Flynn)
Carlos Omar Guerra	....	first assistant camera (as Carlos Guerra)
David Lee	....	still photographer (as David C. Lee)
Kevin McKenna	....	video playback operator
John C. Nadeau	....	gaffer (as John Nadeau)
Chris Norr	....	camera operator
Martin Nowlan	....	best boy rigging electric
John Panuccio	....	key rigging grip (as Jack Panuccio)
Joseph Quirk	....	gaffer: New York
Christopher Raymond	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera
Darren Ryan	....	24 frame playback
Mark Schmidt	....	additional camera operator
Chris Skutch	....	best boy grip
Mark Summers	....	best boy electric
Joseph Trammell	....	24 frame playback supervisor (as Joe Trammell)
Richard Yacuk	....	best boy rigging grip
Fernando Gayesky	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Michael N. Green	....	additional electrician (uncredited)
Jeff Lomaglio	....	grip (uncredited)
Hernan Otaño	....	assistant camera (uncredited)
Justin Panzanaro	....	rigging electric: New York (uncredited)
Joshua Van Praag	....	electrician (uncredited)

Casting Department
Blythe Cappello	....	casting: Los Angeles
Linda R. Chen	....	casting assistant: New York (as Linda Chen)
Natasha Cuba	....	casting associate
Sage Lehman	....	casting assistant: New York
Kristian Sorge	....	extras casting assistant
John Srednicki	....	casting assistant: Los Angeles
Grant Wilfley	....	extras casting
Melissa Farnum	....	extras casting assistant (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Cara Czekanski	....	additional costumer
Lisa R. Frucht	....	wardrobe supervisor (as Lisa Frucht)
Jill Kliber	....	assistant costume designer
David Page	....	costumer: Mr. Carrey
Deirdre N. Williams	....	wardrobe supervisor
Colleen Morris	....	tailor (uncredited)
Laura Steinman	....	costume dyer/distresser (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Kenny Becker	....	color timer: DeLuxe
Angela Beresford	....	post-production assistant
Michael Eaves	....	digital intermediate: EFilm (as Mike Eaves)
Chad Gunderson	....	high-definition dailies and conforming: Laser Pacific
James Haygood	....	additional editor
Mike Kennedy	....	digital intermediate: EFilm
Loan Phan	....	digital intermediate: EFilm
David A. Smith	....	assistant editor
Andre Tréjo	....	high-definition dailies and conforming: Laser Pacific (as Andre Trejo)
Jeffrey M. Werner	....	additional editor
Katrina Whalen	....	post-production assistant
Paul Zucker	....	additional editor
Valance Eisleben	....	high definition editorial services (uncredited)
Jack Lewars	....	assistant color timer: EFilm (uncredited)
Martha Pike	....	digital intermediate editor (uncredited)
Jeff Schweikart	....	post-production assistant (uncredited)

Music Department
Steve Bartek	....	orchestrator
Christine Bergren	....	music clearances
Tom Biller	....	music recordist
Dana Bourke	....	additional music engineer
Jon Brion	....	conductor
Jon Brion	....	music producer
Tass Filipos	....	music editor (as Anastassios Filipos)
Peter Gordon	....	orchestrator
Jason Gossman	....	additional music engineer
Chris Holmes	....	additional music engineer
Kathy Nelson	....	music guru
Jen Pray	....	music consultant (as Jennifer Pray)
Steven Rhodes	....	additional music engineer
Reed Ruddy	....	additional music engineer
Edgardo Simone	....	orchestrator
Patrick Spain	....	additional music engineer
Nick Vidar	....	music programmer
Greg Hamilton	....	additional music preparer (uncredited)
Robert Puff	....	music preparation (uncredited)
Nick Vidar	....	music editor (uncredited)

Transportation Department
Ed Battista	....	driver (as Edward Battista)
Theodor A. Brown	....	driver (as Theodore A. Brown)
John Canavan	....	driver
Salvatore Cicone	....	driver (as Salvatore Ciccone)
Charles Clark	....	driver
Peter Clores	....	driver
Thomas Crehan	....	driver (as Thomas Crehanm)
Mike Easter	....	transportation co-captain (as Michael C. Easter)
Jerry Featherstone	....	driver
Mo Fitzgerald	....	driver (as Moe Fitzgerald)
William K. Gaskins	....	transportation captain
Irv Gooch	....	picture cars
William Gore	....	driver (as William Gore Jr.)
Joseph L. Johnson	....	driver
Paul Kane	....	driver
Dennis Kelly	....	driver (as Dennis J. Kelly)
James Kelly	....	driver (as James F. Kelly)
Herb Lieberz	....	driver: Ms. Winslet
Scott Lieberz	....	driver
Bobby Marsh	....	driver (as Robert Marsh)
Tom Mawyer	....	driver (as Tom Moyer)
Jerry McMullan	....	driver: Mr. Carrey
Richard Nelson Jr.	....	driver
David M. Salisbury	....	driver
William T. Stuart	....	driver
Francis Volpe	....	driver
Timothy J. Wood	....	driver

Other crew
Sebastián Almeida	....	intern (as Sebastian Almeida)
Stefanie Azpiazu	....	assistant: Mr. Bregman
Hilary Basing	....	intern
Nicholas R. Bell	....	production assistant (as Nick Bell)
Fred Berger	....	intern
Dotan Bonen	....	security: Mr. Carrey
Christian Brockey	....	assistant production coordinator
Bobb Bruno	....	assistant: Jon Brion
Brian Cantaldi	....	first assistant accountant
David Catalano	....	production assistant
Linda R. Chen	....	intern (as Linda Chen)
Ben Conable	....	production assistant (as Benjamin Conable)
Mary Cybulski	....	script supervisor
Robert Darwell	....	production attorney: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton
Liesl Davis	....	intern (as Liesel Elain Davis)
Philip DeRise	....	production secretary
Stephanie DeTiege	....	assistant: Mr. Carrey (as Stephanie Detiege)
Kat Donahue	....	location assistant
Maureen Duffy	....	completion guarantor: Film Finances
Tracy Ershow	....	production assistant
Kathleen Fellegara	....	on-set medic (as Kathy Fellegara)
Rich Fellegara	....	on-set medic
Frances Fiore	....	unit publicist
Noah Fox	....	production assistant
Andrew Goodman	....	production assistant
Kristy Hamer	....	accounting assistant
Amro Hamzawi	....	assistant: Mr. Gondry
Susan Hegarty	....	dialect coach: Ms. Winslet
Arthur Hur	....	assistant: Michel Gondry
Lindsey Jaffin	....	office production assistant
Cynthia Kao	....	production assistant
Kate Karbowniczek	....	production assistant
Erica Kay	....	production coordinator
Matthew G. King	....	production assistant
David Koch	....	production assistant
Sage Lehman	....	intern
Chris Marsh	....	assistant location manager (as Christopher Marsh)
Patrick McDonald	....	key set production assistant
Hillary Meyer	....	payroll accountant (as Hillary R. Meyer)
Valerie Nolan	....	intern
Alison Norod	....	production assistant
Oona Overholtzer	....	assistant: Mr. Kaufman
Derek Pastures	....	parking coordinator
Currie Person	....	location assistant
Michal Podell	....	production attorney: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton
Ruth Pollock	....	assistant: Ms. Winslet (as Ruth Pollack)
Chris Prapha	....	assistant: Mr. Golin
Gary S. Rake	....	production assistant
Adrian Scartascini	....	assistant: Mr. Gondry
Jeff Schlesinger	....	assistant: Mr. Bushell
Paula Schmit	....	completion guarantor: Film Finances
Eugy Septimo	....	intern
Aleta Shaffer	....	assistant: Mr. Gondry
Talley Singer	....	second assistant: Mr. Carrey (as Taylor Singer)
Debbie Stampfle	....	production assistant
Greg Trattner	....	completion guarantor: Film Finances (as Gregory Trattner)
Daniel Tresca	....	location assistant (as Dan Tresca)
Gayle Vangrofsky	....	location manager
Andy Wheeler	....	production accountant
Alex Zoppa	....	intern
Andrew Zoppa	....	intern
Zach Zoppa	....	intern (as Zachary Zoppa)
Dylan Gallagher	....	photo double: Jim Carrey (uncredited)
Amber Gristak	....	stand-in: Kate Winslet (uncredited)
Kristen Marie Holly	....	stand-in: Kirsten Dunst (uncredited)
Matthew Makar	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Cyril Merle	....	assistant: Michel Gondry (uncredited)
Tony Muro	....	publicist (uncredited)
Jimmy Price	....	location scout (uncredited)
Jennifer Skyler	....	stand-in: Kate Winslet (uncredited)
Jeremiah Zazueta	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
Karen Baird	....	special thanks
Ted Baker	....	the producers wish to thank
Heidi Bivens	....	special thanks
Gerry Robert Byrne	....	special thanks
Anne Carey	....	special thanks
Kevin Dillon	....	special thanks
Paul Dorf	....	the producers wish to thank
Cyril Drabinsky	....	special thanks
John Fluevog	....	the producers wish to thank
Julie Fong	....	special thanks
Paul Frank	....	the producers wish to thank
Dr. Hauschka	....	the producers wish to thank
Ted Hope	....	special thanks
Betsey Johnson	....	the producers wish to thank
Will Keenan	....	special thanks
Laura Kightlinger	....	special thanks
Drew Kunin	....	special thanks
J.F. Lazartigue	....	the producers wish to thank
Steve Madden	....	the producers wish to thank
Laura Madrigano	....	the producers wish to thank
Nicole Miller	....	the producers wish to thank
Susan E. Morse	....	special thanks (as Susan Morse)
Thomas Pink	....	the producers wish to thank
Ellen Pompeo	....	special thanks
Victor Rasuk	....	special thanks
Amy Rosen	....	special thanks
Leon Silverman	....	special thanks
Gwenn Smith	....	the producers wish to thank: Long Island Jewish Medical Center (as Dr. Gwenn Smith)
John Srednicki	....	special thanks
Diana Victor	....	special thanks
Karen Walker	....	the producers wish to thank
The Zacks	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Focus Features (presents)
• Anonymous Content
• This Is That Productions (in association with) (as This Is That)

Distributors

• Focus Features (2004) (USA) (theatrical)
• A-Film Distribution (2004) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
• Bir Film (2006) (Turkey) (theatrical)
• Constantin Film (2004) (Germany) (theatrical)
• Eagle Pictures (2004) (Italy) (theatrical)
• GAGA (2005) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Hollywood Classic Entertainment (2004) (Czech Republic) (theatrical)
• Humax Pictures (2005) (Japan) (theatrical)
• International Film Distribution Consultants (2004) (non-USA) (theatrical)
• Momentum Pictures (2004) (UK) (theatrical)
• Pandasia Entertainment (2004) (Taiwan) (theatrical)
• Paradise Group (2004) (Russia) (theatrical)
• SPI International Magyarorszag (2004) (Hungary) (theatrical)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution Sverige AB (2004) (Sweden) (theatrical)
• Shaw Organisation (2004) (Singapore) (theatrical)
• TriPictures (2004) (Spain) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2004) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2004) (Switzerland) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2004) (France) (theatrical)
• United International Pictures (UIP) (2004) (Mexico) (theatrical)
• A-Film Home Entertainment (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD) (retail)
• Alliance Atlantis Home Video (2004) (Canada) (DVD)
• Argentina Video Home (2004) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Argentina Video Home (2004) (Argentina) (VHS)
• Artist Film (2006) (Japan) (DVD)
• Highlight Film (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• Movie Bank (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD) (rental)
• Sandrew Metronome Distribution (2004) (Finland) (all media)
• Universal Pictures Vidéo (2006) (France) (DVD)
• Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2011) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Universal Studios Home Video (2004) (USA) (DVD)
• YLE Teema (2007) (Finland) (TV)

Special Effects

• Buzz Image Group (visual effects)
• Custom Film Effects (visual effects and digital opticals)

Other Companies

• AON/Albert G. Ruben Insurance Services  insurance (as Aon/Albert G. Ruben)
• ARRI  logo
• Amalgamated Dwellings  very special thanks (as Amalgamated Dwellings, Inc.)
• Arc Flashlights  the producers wish to thank (as Arc Flashlights LLC, Tempe, AZ)
• Armani Exchange  the producers wish to thank
• Available Art  courtesy: painting "Weaving" by Mark Lariviere
• Barbour  the producers wish to thank
• Barnes & Noble College Booksellers  the producers wish to thank (as Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, Inc.)
• Bastyr University  music recorded at
• Bayonne Local Redevelopment Authority  very special thanks
• Birkenstock  the producers wish to thank
• Blue Plate  the producers wish to thank
• Bumble & Bumble  the producers wish to thank
• C-5  post-production sound facility (as C5, Inc.)
• Carhartt  the producers wish to thank
• Carroll & Graff Publishers  courtesy: "Red Right Hand" by Joel Townsley Rogers
• Casauri Bags and Wallets  the producers wish to thank
• Cello Studio  music recorded at
• Chantecaille  the producers wish to thank
• Clarks Shoes  the producers wish to thank (as Clark's England)
• Columbia  the producers wish to thank
• Concept 2 Rowing  the producers wish to thank
• Converse  the producers wish to thank
• Copy Caps, Wellfleet  the producers wish to thank (as Copy Caps, Wellfleet, MA)
• Custom Film Effects  titles
• David Dreishpoon's Gourmet Craft Service  craft service (as David Dreishpoon's Craft Service)
• Dawn Animal Agency  animals
• EFilm  digital intermediate
• Etro  the producers wish to thank
• Express  select wardrobe: Ms. Winslet
• Falco Ink.  award campaign (uncredited)
• Falco Ink.  publicity (uncredited)
• Film Finances  completion guarantor
• For Stars Catering  caterer
• Frankie Steinz  designer: custom skeleton costumes (as Frankie Steinz, NYC)
• Fresh Music Library  the producers wish to thank (as Fresh)
• Frye Boots  the producers wish to thank
• Fujifilm  logo
• Grant Wilfley Casting  extras casting (uncredited)
• Grove Press  the producers wish to thank (as Grove Press Universal)
• H&M  select wardrobe: courtesy of (as H&M, NYC)
• H2O Plus  the producers wish to thank (as H&sup2O Plus)
• Helen Uffner Vintage Clothing  vintage clothing (uncredited)
• Henry Schein Medical Supplies  special thanks
• Hollywood Records  original motion picture soundtrack
• Hue  the producers wish to thank
• Ingwa  the producers wish to thank
• J.C. Penney  the producers wish to thank (as JC Penny for Towncraft)
• Jockey  the producers wish to thank
• Justin Boots  the producers wish to thank
• Kiehl's Since 1851  the producers wish to thank (as Kiehl's)
• LL Bean  the producers wish to thank
• LaserPacific  high-definition dailies and conforming (as Laser Pacific)
• Leksell Stereotactic System  the producers wish to thank: courtesy of Elekta Instruments
• Lirr  the producers wish to thank
• Long Island Jewish Medical Center  the producers wish to thank
• Mac  the producers wish to thank
• Manic Manic by Snooky & Tish  the producers wish to thank
• Mark Shaiman Institute, The  music recorded at
• Mavi Jeans  the producers wish to thank
• Media Net  digital dailies streaming
• Melero  the producers wish to thank
• Metro Concepts Music  the producers wish to thank (as Metro Concepts)
• Metro-North Railroad Company  very special thanks (as MTA/Metro-North Railroad Company)
• Molton Brown  the producers wish to thank (as Molton Brown of London and New York)
• NYC Subway Line  the producers wish to thank (as Nycsubwayline.com)
• NYPD Film & TV Unit  very special thanks (as NYPD Movie & TV Unit)
• Necessary Objects  the producers wish to thank
• New 42nd Street  very special thanks (as The New 42nd Street)
• New Jersey Film Commission  very special thanks
• New Victory Theatre  very special thanks (as The New Victory Theatre)
• New York City Mayor's Office of Film, Theater & Broadcasting, The  very special thanks (as The New York City Mayor's Office for Film, Theater & Broadcasting)
• New York State Governor's Office for Motion Picture & Television Development  very special thanks (as The New York State Governor's Film Office)
• New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation  very special thanks
• North Face, The  the producers wish to thank
• Only Hearts  the producers wish to thank
• Oroblu Italian Hosiery  the producers wish to thank
• Paper Denim Cloth  the producers wish to thank
• Penguin Putnam Books  the producers wish to thank
• Perricone, Maryland  the producers wish to thank (as N.V. Perricone, Md,)
• Pez  the producers wish to thank
• Phyto  the producers wish to thank
• Pivotal Post  Avids
• Playbill  the producers wish to thank
• PolyGram Records  the producers wish to thank
• Puma  the producers wish to thank
• Random House  the producers wish to thank
• Robert Puff Music  music preparation
• Russell Stover Candy Company  the producers wish to thank
• Schott Brothers  the producers wish to thank (as Schott Brothers, USA)
• Schylling Toys  the producers wish to thank
• Seize Sur Vingt  the producers wish to thank
• Sesha Cosmeticals  thanks (as Sesha Cosmecueticals)
• Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton  production attorneys
• Siemen's Medical  the producers wish to thank: courtesy of Stern and Associates
• Signet Sound Studio  music recorded and mixed at (as Signet Sound Studios)
• Simon James Music  orchestra contractor (as Simon James Music LLC)
• Sound One Corporation  sound mixing and transfer facility (as Sound One Corp.)
• Title House Digital  end titles
• Tony & Tine's Cosmetics  the producers wish to thank (as Tony & Tine Cosmetics)
• Town of East Hampton, New York  very special thanks (as The Town of East Hampton, NY)
• UGG® Australia  the producers wish to thank (as UGG Australia)
• Universal Polygram International Publishing Inc.  courtesy: "Monster on Campus" and "The Monsters" (as Universal Studios Licensing LLLP)
• Urban Decay  the producers wish to thank
• Urban Outfitters  the producers wish to thank
• Valentine Management & The Gojani Family  very special thanks
• Very Fine Tees  the producers wish to thank
• Wendy Cohen Production Resources  clearances and product placement
• Wrangler Jeans  the producers wish to thank

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some drug and sexual content

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS (as dts) | Dolby

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Brazil:14 | Canada:14A (British Columbia/Ontario) | Canada:G (Québec) | Finland:K-11 | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:IIB | Netherlands:AL | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Peru:PT | Philippines:R-13 | Singapore:NC-16 | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Zurich) | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #40598) | Iceland:L | India:A | Chile:Y7 | Portugal:M/16 | South Korea:15

Filming Locations:

123 Valentine Lane, Yonkers, New York, USA

Company:

Focus Features

Trivia:

Virtually all of the most bizarre and fascinating scenes in this movie were created with old fashioned camera, editing, lighting and prop/set tricks. The use of digital effects was very limited. The striking kitchen scene with Joel as a child was created with an elaborate forced perspective set-up similar to some used by Peter Jackson in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the scene where Mary first comes into Joel's apartment, Patrick and Stan had been drinking beer. At first, just before the door is opened, they are both Rolling Rock (green bottles). After she has entered, Stan's beer turns into a Labatt Blue (brown bottle).

Quotes:

[first lines]
Joel:[voice over] random thoughts for Valentine's day, 2004. Today is a holiday invented by greeting card companies to make people feel like crap.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Adventure Time: Memory of a Memory (#3.3)" (2011)

Soundtrack:

Nola's Bounce

Interior Landscape

Of all Kaufman's screenplays that delve into the interior landscapes of its characters, Eternal Sunshine is the most fully formed and moving story of the bunch, a rumination on the possibilities and consequences inherent in making the process of removing unwanted memories from your consciousness as easy as going for a checkup. Kaufman here plays on our desire to forget the bad things that happen to us and what happens when we are given the power to forget those things permanently, and the conclusion he arrives at is that it ultimately creates as many - if not more - problems than it solves. At the very least, it can result in making the same mistakes again ("Those who ignore history are doomed to repeat it"); at the worst, it eliminates the possibility of our ever reconciling and coming to terms with our life experiences, the way we relate to the people who help to shape our lives and whose lives we shape through ours.

The film explores these ideas in a novel and engaging way: by taking the audience inside the mind of Joel Barish (Jim Carrey), a man who, after breaking up with his girlfriend Clementine Kruczynski (Kate Winslett), discovers later that she has had her memory of him wiped clean from her mind. He finds out how she had this procedure done and, despondent not only about the breakup but even more so about her having completely erased him from her mind, searches out the doctor who performed the procedure and signs up to have the same procedure done to him, so that he may also have no memory of her. He is rendered unconscious for the procedure but his subconscious is still active. Once the procedure is initiated and he becomes aware that his memories of the woman he loved - and still loves - are vanishing from his brain, he starts having second thoughts and wants the procedure stopped. His challenge then becomes to figure out how to protect as much of his memory of her as he can, and to find a way stop the procedure despite the fact that he is in an unconscious state.

The manner in which he comes to realize and confront his dilemma is played out entirely within his interior landscape, a realm which (as anyone who remembers their dreams upon waking from sleep can attest) is a very surreal extension of our day-to-day experiences. Michel Gondry's visual style and direction works exceptionally well here in conveying the slippery, chaotic unpredictability of the worlds we construct from our memories and experiences; the clever interplay between this interior world and the goings-on of the outside world helps keep the viewer off-balance just enough to illuminate the fuzzy line of demarcation separating the two worlds and the peculiar manner in which they play off one another.

Jim Carrey and Kate Winslett do an exceptional job of bringing this abstract story concept to life with characters that are endearing, poignant, believable and utterly human. The supporting players are equally impressive: Tom Wilkinson as the mind-eraser doctor, Mark Ruffalo and Elijah Wood as the technicians, Kiersten Dunst as the receptionist all have relationships to the main protagonists and to one another that come to light as the story unfolds and help to propel the plot; as friends of Joel and Clementine, David Cross and Jane Adams are hilarious as a couple who seem to be stuck in the same rut that compelled the protagonists to break up and have each other erased from their respective minds. Kaufman juggles all these relationships masterfully and in such a way as to ensure none of them are superfluous to the ideas he is trying to get across in this story.

While there are elements of the plot that seem to place this movie in the realm of science fiction, the focus of the movie stays on the interior states, emotions and relationships between the characters. As such, the film is more of a romantic comedy than anything - albeit unlike any other romantic comedy you're ever likely to see. I saw a late showing of this movie with my girlfriend the day it was released at a local multiplex and there were only 20 or so people in the theater, yet at the film's conclusion everyone broke out in a spontaneous round of applause. This gives an idea of how compelling this movie can be. If you give this film a chance to creep under your skin, you will likely find yourself reflexively thinking about your feelings toward the important people in your life, as well how you relate to those feelings, as well as your memories and how you relate to them. A thought provoking, moving and entertaining film - I can imagine that a working title of this film might have been "Warts And All."