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Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

  • 20042004
  • RR
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
8.3/10
982K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
429
56
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Trailer
Play trailer0:31
7 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Romance
  • Sci-Fi

When their relationship turns sour, a couple undergoes a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories.When their relationship turns sour, a couple undergoes a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories.When their relationship turns sour, a couple undergoes a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories.

IMDb RATING
8.3/10
982K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
429
56
  • Director
    • Michel Gondry
  • Writers
    • Charlie Kaufman(story)
    • Michel Gondry(story)
    • Pierre Bismuth(story)
  • Stars
    • Jim Carrey
    • Kate Winslet
    • Tom Wilkinson
Top credits
  • Director
    • Michel Gondry
  • Writers
    • Charlie Kaufman(story)
    • Michel Gondry(story)
    • Pierre Bismuth(story)
  • Stars
    • Jim Carrey
    • Kate Winslet
    • Tom Wilkinson
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1.9KUser reviews
    • 303Critic reviews
    • 89Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
  • Top rated movie #91
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 73 wins & 111 nominations total

    Videos7

    Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
    Trailer 0:31
    Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
    Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
    Trailer 0:31
    Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
    Sarah Chalke on Why 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' Changed Her Life
    Clip 0:22
    Sarah Chalke on Why 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' Changed Her Life
    Alphabet of Movies | A to Z
    Clip 1:33
    Alphabet of Movies | A to Z
    What Roles Has Mark Ruffalo Been Considered For?
    Clip 3:07
    What Roles Has Mark Ruffalo Been Considered For?
    'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' | Anniversary Mashup
    Clip 1:33
    'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' | Anniversary Mashup
    Dates in Movie & TV History: Feb. 13 - Joel Erases Clementine
    Video 2:18
    Dates in Movie & TV History: Feb. 13 - Joel Erases Clementine

    Photos140

    Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    Jim Carrey and Michel Gondry in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, and Michel Gondry in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
    Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jim Carrey
    Jim Carrey
    • Joel Barishas Joel Barish
    Kate Winslet
    Kate Winslet
    • Clementine Kruczynskias Clementine Kruczynski
    Tom Wilkinson
    Tom Wilkinson
    • Dr. Mierzwiakas Dr. Mierzwiak
    Gerry Robert Byrne
    Gerry Robert Byrne
    • Train Conductoras Train Conductor
    Elijah Wood
    Elijah Wood
    • Patrickas Patrick
    Thomas Jay Ryan
    Thomas Jay Ryan
    • Frankas Frank
    Mark Ruffalo
    Mark Ruffalo
    • Stanas Stan
    Jane Adams
    Jane Adams
    • Carrieas Carrie
    David Cross
    David Cross
    • Robas Rob
    Kirsten Dunst
    Kirsten Dunst
    • Maryas Mary
    Ryan Whitney
    • Young Joelas Young Joel
    Debbon Ayer
    Debbon Ayer
    • Joel's Motheras Joel's Mother
    Amir Ali Said
    Amir Ali Said
    • Young Bullyas Young Bully
    Brian Price
    • Young Bullyas Young Bully
    Paulie Litt
    Paulie Litt
    • Young Bullyas Young Bully
    • (as Paul Litowski)
    Josh Flitter
    Josh Flitter
    • Young Bullyas Young Bully
    Lola Daehler
    Lola Daehler
    • Young Clementineas Young Clementine
    Deirdre O'Connell
    Deirdre O'Connell
    • Hollisas Hollis
    • Director
      • Michel Gondry
    • Writers
      • Charlie Kaufman(story) (screenplay)
      • Michel Gondry(story)
      • Pierre Bismuth(story)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Much to his surprise, timid Joel Barish is shocked to discover that the love of his life, sparky Clementine, has had him erased from her memory. To pay her back in the same coin, poor Joel summons up the courage to undergo a painless but intricate medical procedure to do the same, utterly unaware that darkness is an essential part of the light. Now, as hurt and angry Joel's ugly recollections of Clementine gradually fade away, giving way to a soulless black void, suddenly, he begins having second thoughts, toying with the idea of stopping the irreversible process. In the end, is ignorance really bliss? —Nick Riganas
    • memory
    • loneliness
    • valentine's day
    • flashback
    • nonlinear timeline
    • 218 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • I already forget how I used to feel about you.
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Romance
      • Sci-Fi
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for language, some drug and sexual content
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Despite the fact that Charlie Kaufman's script and Michel Gondry's visual concepts were closely followed, the cast members were allowed many chances to improvise. Elijah Wood and Mark Ruffalo improvised extensively, and much of the dialogue between Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet resulted from videotaped rehearsal sessions, during which, the two became close by sharing tales of their real-life relationships and heartbreaks.
    • Goofs
      Many of the continuity errors listed here may well be deliberate. In the DVD extras, the movie makers explain that they played with the continuity to underline the struggle between the doctor and technicians trying to erase the memories and Joel trying to hold on to them.
    • Quotes

      Joel: [narration as Clementine acknowledges him by raising her coffee mug] Why do I fall in love with every woman I see who shows me the least bit of attention?

    • Crazy credits
      The opening credits don't begin until about twenty minutes into the film and after much action and plot.
    • Connections
      Featured in A Look Inside 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' (2004)
    • Soundtracks
      Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime
      Written by James Warren

      Performed by Beck

      Beck appears courtesy of Geffen Records

      Produced by Beck and Jon Brion

    User reviews1.9K

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    an modern artistic triumph for all involved
    Michel Gondry, credited as the director and co-writer of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, is only partly responsible for the success that the film achieves. He implements a awe-inspiring blend of style to a story that is perfectly non-linear. But then there is also the madman genius of the current screen writing plane- Charlie Kaufman- who has written three of the most ingenious, funny, and human of "little" Hollywood movies (Being John Malkovich, Adaptation, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind).

    He understands, and perhaps likely experienced to a degree, what a relationship holds to- the truth, to understanding, and then when it ends, how out memory changes the relationship. Enter in the concept that makes 'Eternal Sunshine' something of a un-official science fiction film - the Lacuna corporation, led by Tom Wilkinson's character, can erase just one person out of your memory, all of the experiences that you and the significant other had. So, when Joel (Jim Carrey) goes in to erase his memory of Clementine (Kate Winslet) after finding out she did just the same, he enters into a mind-warp. He goes through memories they had, happy ones, sad ones, some that are just what makes up what you have emotionally with the one you've loved. And sometimes, and to the behest of the assistants of Lacuna (Kirsten Dunst, Elijah Wood, Mark Ruffalo), Joel doesn't want them all to be erased.

    As I mentioned, the plot is non-linear, which could've gone the wrong way if not done with skill. With a film like 21 Grams, which has a talented director and cast, the non-linear structure isn't necessary. But it's an asset that the story doesn't start from A to Z. To assist Gondry with this, he has the extraordinary Ellen Kuras as DP and Valdís Óskarsdóttir, an editor from Iceland. Their collaboration is crucial with Gondry and Kaufman (and co-writer Pierre Bismuth), as they bring all of these un-real images a real quality. Quite simply, there isn't a finer example of surrealism crossbred with realism in any other American film so far this year. The usage of lights, cuts, and with the kinds of special effects not expected (i.e. no CGI), add to the effect it has on a viewer. That the characters of Joel and Clementine are as enveloping as they are is also a credit to Kaufman.

    But then there's one more part that completes the success of the film - the acting. Jim Carrey, very simply, is at his very best. He finds a balance from certain scenes in being like people we see everyday, feeling low, not much of interest, inward. And then when the memory erases begin, we get to see him act funny, but not like the kind of humor he brought with Ace Ventura or Dumb and Dumber. This is Carrey knowing this character just well enough to play off his counterpart, played by Winslet. She, meanwhile, is perhaps at her best. Her character is eccentric, funny, insightful, and wanting. She pulls it off. As do the supporting actors.

    There's not much more I can say about this film, except to say that even after seeing it three times, I feel like I could watch it over and over and see a new shot, a new sequence, and new set of emotions tied to things. It's one of the great romantic dramedies of the decade.
    helpful•392
    83
    • Quinoa1984
    • Oct 27, 2004

    FAQ11

    • Is "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" based on a book?
    • Where can I find the script? What's that version I find on the web?
    • What does Clementine sniff on the train, near the beginning?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 19, 2004 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Universal
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Eterno resplandor de una mente sin recuerdos
    • Filming locations
      • Montauk, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Focus Features
      • Anonymous Content
      • This Is That Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $34,400,301
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $8,175,198
      • Mar 21, 2004
    • Gross worldwide
      • $74,036,715
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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