'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' | Critics' Picks | The New York Times

[@johnsornon44]

I think I prefer Jim Carrey in a serious role than his goofy ones. Glad to see he can do that too.

[@spewey111]

I've never seen such an emotionally touching, yet deeply weird film in my life. Love it.

[@710blodgett74]

It is such a sad movie at the same time it’s funny . It makes you think How much you want to cherish the small things in life

[@mukta4689]

"The reason we think so much is because we feel so deeply". Perfectly said words, towards what I felt for this film

[@ermedic1986]

I completely agree

[@GReck4]

"Eternal Sunshine" will last as a cinematic testament to how far our emotions of love and affection can lead us.

[@bronxboy47]

Jim Carrey proves himself an all-around actor in this movie. He owned this role.

[@OnlyTheTruthSorry]

I just watched this movie last night for the first time and I absolutely loved it!!!

[@miaad84]

you missed out all these years of experiencing a cinematic masterpiece

[@kaponei]

i wish i could watch it for the first time again...

[@missfashionator]

+jummon koshai For all you know that person could be 12

[@pipsta]

I'm watching it this week hopefully. :)

[@flatline4291]

What I find interesting about this movie is that the woman that we come to know as Clementine is not Clementine. It's memories Joel has of them together, combined with his projection of her. And as his memory of her goes, and he's left with more and more intense memories of good times, she becomes more and more sympathetic and worthy of remembrance and his love. In reality she's kind of the anti-manic pixie dreamgirl but in his head he smears a messy reality into something more tender. Maybe he decides to hold onto her because bittersweet memories are better than no memories, or maybe he falls in love with his imagination of her. It's hard to tell. In reality it's easy to fall in love with someone we imagine a person to be, not with who they are. We spackle in the cracks in the other person, or the gaps in our knowledge, with our own wishes and desires. I think the ambiguity of the conclusion is important. The original end of the script takes place in the future where Joel and Clementine find dozens of case files where they've erased their memories of each other over and over, then gotten back together again over and over. It seems to fit the reality of what happens in the story more than it fits the kind of destined by the stars ending that we do get. In that ending, the fault is not in the stars, but in ourselves.

[@sofielundsskolan]

I disagree with that assessment of the ending in the final cut. While the original ending you describe would be more explicit, what we do get is pretty much the same thing, but signified by the looping of the last few seconds, with Joel and Clementine playing in the snow. Additionally, it's more open to interpretation about the symbolical content, which I'd say is very much about the irrationality and imperfection of romantic relationships. It was a while ago I rewatched the movie so I can't give you a detailed account, but I assure you, that kind of reading is entirely possible. There's still a small element of that "destined by the stars" stuff, but for me it's more to signify that there's still good things to be found in these kinds of bonds, even if they're far from perfect.

[@dorilees297]

I think both endings are beautiful, even if they did show them re-erasing each other over and over again. That literally goes to show that they must be meant to be, if they keep finding each other over and over, even with their minds erased of each other.

[@tiptopdadddy]

This is a great comment. But I would leave you with one thought about the movies, traditionally they were meant as escapist fantasy meant to distract, comfort and give hope through suspended disbelief. Real life is hard enough , not all movies need be perfect imitations of reality.

[@charlie-obrien]

The Doctor's "machine" is a device, a MacGuffin if you will, to allow this very specific view of a tragically destined relationship. Without the Sci-Fi aspect, it would be a story of a couple who are magnetically and mystically drawn to each other, only to find that they cannot find the equal ground they need for long term compatibility. And they do it over and over again. We all know couples like this, we may have even been a couple like this. Emily Dickinson wrote, "When the Best is gone - I know that other things are not of consequence - The Heart wants what it wants - or else it does not care -"

[@Jeremyramone]

charlie kaufman is utterly masterful. this film is a timeless epic and your review is exquisite as always, cheers and thanks

[@Kiwiilee37]

They were the original OKAYS

[@leobergmiller873]

melina reign HONESTLY FAULT AND OUR STARS GTFO ETERNAL SUNSHINE IS THE OG

[@eloise8133]

oh gosh someone finally said it :') thank u ❤!!

[@bascal133]

melina reign 👏🏾👏🏾

[@jakcseparo]

Looks like a nice one. But, I just cant remember this movie

[@changes251]

jakcseparo saw what you did there. nice

[@abigaillong692]

Possibly my fave film ever

[@Schmidteren]

My favourite movie.

[@jackmorris4359]

God I love this review its the BEST ever!! This is my all time favorite movie and to hear you bragging on it? totally cool!!

[@Froyofreeze]

Jack Morris mine too

[@suzannezoubeck5216]

A film worth revisiting on a periodic basis. Every Valentine's Day perhaps? ❤☮🌎

[@siddhantdas33]

The intro to this video is probably one of the best scenes in any movie ever!

[@delialeilia]

Just watched this last night - instant new favorite :] Can't wait to watch it again!

[@outinsider]

Great film- one of the best of the last decade.

[@geager2]

Michel Gondry is the Satoshi Kon of live action film (Paprika, Millenium Actress).

[@michelehatch7542]

Clem only has one leg at 3:15....weird.

[@borfried]

Having seen Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as an adolescent is the moment I fell in love with cinema. It's breathtaking and jawdropping.

[@mysticpoopgaming]

the reason we think so much is because we feel so deeply.

[@ZekeThePlumber86]

Definitely my favorite Jim Carey movie. Eternal Sunshine, Man On The Moon are my top picks.

[@Sophie-nz9fz]

one of my all time favorites. a deeply moving, beautiful, intelligent and honest film.

[@richtalk34]

Yes, total masterpiece. Love it.

[@gabe5499]

my brain hurts

[@josephflores6580]

I couldn't help but think of everyone I tried to erase from my mind and it awkwardly gave me so much piece at the same time it made me feel so uncomfortable.

[@TheFlamesfan12345]

Charlie Kaufman is THE cinematic philosopher of the 21st century

[@saacnohcdoih]

full body chills

[@jakcseparo]

I don't remember any of this in the movie. In fact what movie is this we're talking about? Somebody please help me bring back my memories.

[@denisefreitas6727]

Incredible movie! The cast is amazing!❤️

[@bluebeanbaby]

What a fitting tribute to one on the most beautiful films ever done. But on a petty note, when A O Scott talks of Carrey's restraint in the self conscious clowning, I laughed so hard and just let out a "ooooooooh (snap) shade bih," I just become my auntie and die. It's so casual like "he knows this, he must know this."

[@tusharmadke4615]

Who else is watching this in 2018?

[@pjw2000]

Easily wins the award for Commercial Film of the '00s Most Loved By Hipsters & Cinephiles. That's not a complaint, btw.

[@danwroy]

It's very funny to watch this in 2024, it seems like the film was released a few years before but it was _seven years_ after.

[@nikki78flors51]

😢😢😢😢 i had to watch this , omg why didnt someone say it would hurt

[@TamsPag]

I love this movie

[@wessol6698]

in top 10 greatest movies ever made

[@j.a.a.x8818]

Wes Sol my personal 4th favourite film.

[@Smarts2892]

God i love this film

[@rambotan5867]

I cried after brad n angelie broke up so I watched this film to lift my spirit

[@ChunKeyPeach]

Why did they show the actual ending to the movie lmao

[@soumick7104]

kate brought the house down

[@theamazingandtalentedblake8296]

I mean I understand movies like ghostbusters and anchorman , cause this movie with watching stars on a frozen lake waking up on a snowy beach

[@jameskunisch5747]

Aesop said familiarity breeds contempt. This is true for most people that I know. I hope when it happens to you, your partner is the least rudest or disrespectful of them all, as you yourself should be. Reply

[@aaaaaiiiiirrrrr]

dope

[@sorealittty]

@jacquelinemcmanus what are the other two?

[@TheGreyj]

Best movie ever

[@KesselGut]

and they spoil the movie right off the bat

[@ifaq871]

The movie goes waay deeper if you really get it

[@EpsiIonEagle]

A top five film for me

[@afterthesmash]

I would watch this one again if it weren't for its excessive use of bleached pastels. There's a limit to how much I can handle being bossed around by the camera's colour filter.

[@popular7856]

@mjbab73 im happy that im not the only one ^^. Love this movie.

[@teleconferencing-arkadin6748]

#HalfwayThrough? ℹ said #DontdrewCarrey #TheresNoSpotlessMinds

[@lewtscott3346]

Jim Carey needs to take a Red Pill

[@pepefrogic3034]

Failing nyt fails again

[@JiveDadson]

Thou art lost and gone forever. Dreadful sorry, Clementine.

[@theamazingandtalentedblake8296]

I don't really get this movie , I

[@brianyerby3006]

Its physical metaphor for the stages of love and being in a relationship.its jim[joel] dealing with changes

[@CeeLiberty]

This film tried too hard.