ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND Is Fantastically Beautiful *Movie Reaction*

[@geoffadavis]

You can tell what phase of the relationship they were in by the color of Clementine's hair. Green is the spring phase of the relationship where it is starting to grow. Red is summer, things are hot. Orange is fall, the relationship is starting to wither. Blue is winter. The relationship is going cold.

[@Alyzvettema]

I made a video on KZbin breaking down this years and years ago now. Guessing you’ve watched it. I love seeing people mention my threrory on peoples pages The hair is such a big symbol in the movie

[@Dirkus17]

She changes her hair every week and a half, dude. Get used to it.

[@chunglu]

@@Alyzvettema so because someone else reaches a really obvious conclusion, it's down to your video? lmao wow the arrogance

[@Alyzvettema]

@@chunglu sure. Super obvious. lol

[@chunglu]

@@Alyzvettema literally to anyone with rudimentary critical thinking and observation skills, ya fuckin' ham sandwich

[@PaulC-Drums]

This is one of my favorite movies of all-time. You are rewarded by multiple viewings. There are these tender moments that are so beautiful, like the story Clementine tells about the ugly girl doll. Some people think the ending means that they keep erasing each other over and over again, but I don't think that's satisfying or even totally goes along with the development of those characters. I interpret the ending to mean that they get back together at the end but we won't know if they stay together. However, they will NOT erase each other. Therefore, they can repeat the moments they've had in memory over and over again, and they can live with the knowledge they discovered together. That's what the repeating at the end means to me. EDIT: Wanted to add that I personally don't worry if I'm being too emotional while being moved by something. Those are the best feelings in existence, so I don't think it's a worry worth giving my energy to! The ending is very lovely with them having to confront the exposition of a failed relationship literally filling the room with them in it, only to be perfectly willing to give it another shot. I tear up basically every time I watch it. I loved your reaction.

[@ethidian3444]

I'm a big movie buff and it is my favorite movie. It also regularly polls in the top 10 movies of the 21st century with film critics, historians, directors, etc.

[@7rollface]

I agree with you that it doesn't work for them to keep erasing each other over and over, but that's not just an ending people have invented, that was the screenplay's original ending.

[@PaulC-Drums]

@@7rollface I understand, but I prefer to hold my interpretation. FULL respect to Charlie Kaufman, haha. Sometimes I think it's reasonable to go with the interpretation that you not only find more fulfilling, but more compelling.

[@midearthling]

I've been watching it every year for decades and I still find new details. It's incredible when films grow with you!

[@stillninja2741]

@@PaulC-Drums I like to think of it as they know going into it each other's flaws. They know the attraction is so strong at the beginning it's worth giving it a second chance despite that. To become better version of themselves with one another.

[@Jeff-rn7bm]

This is life. This is how real relationships go. If we are going to stay together (and finally arrive at the best, most loving part of our relationship), we have to be willing to see the worst in each other and still say, "okay". A truly beautiful, deeply felt, mature, and hilarious film.

[@thehikingviking2049]

My favorite little hint in the beginning is when Clementine tells Joel not to make any jokes about her name, but Joel doesn't even know what she's talking about. Like he's somehow never heard the "Oh my darling Clementine" song, even though *everyone* has heard it at some point. It's brilliant.

[@robertmartin2936]

It's been a long time since I watched it, but doesn't it also work as an oblique reference to "Tangerine?"

[@thehikingviking2049]

@robertmartin2936 took me a second, but you're right. At that point, she just got away from her weird toxic relationship with Frodo, so she probably doesn't want to be reminded of his cringey pet name for her. Layers on layers!

[@midearthling]

He has heard it before, when he tried to hide in his memory of his mother singing the song, which then gets deleted.

[@thehikingviking2049]

@@midearthling yeah, that's what I mean. That early conversation about not knowing the song is a hint that it takes place chronologically after the events of the memory erasure

[@Kaazikin]

One of my favourite bits. Especially heart breaking when he says in the flash back that some of his fondest memories were his mother singing him that

[@dontmakeabigdealoutofit]

this movie breaks my soul and puts it back together again all at once. Forever in my top 3 ✨

[@bigpictureguys8415]

Same

[@thomasharris4942]

This screenwriter is phenomenal, Charlie Kaufman. I'd also highly recommend his other two most popular movies: Adaptation, and Being John Malkovich. Both super quirky and very entertaining, like this one.

[@jacobj297]

I also love I’m thinking of ending things. Subsequent viewings make it better and better

[@shotbybrady8793]

Kaufman also wrote and directed "Synecdoche New York." A truly devastating masterpiece.

[@bensneb360]

One of the best romantic movies of all time, so imaginative and sweet

[@space_1073]

This movie has a criminally low number of reactions. It’s so good.

[@itrywayytoohard]

I have had this movie recommended to me so many times. now that i see this reaction is out i had to watch it for myself and holy this movie wrecked me. man what a movie

[@sathvamp1]

Did you see the entire movie yourself? If not, you really should. It also wrecked me, and I don't cry easily either. For me, it was mainly AFTER the movie was over, when the credits were rolling, was when my brain had some space to really process everything. During the movie, so many scenes were so painful to me, especially the desperate attempts to escape the memory-erasing. And at the end, the acceptance of the inevitability. Let's back up; here's a little background about me: For whatever reason, until I saw certain tearjerker scene(s) of the movie "Inside Out" at around age 30, I literally could not remember crying or getting very emotional in response to any movies PRIOR to that, my whole life. As it turned out, during that first "Inside Out" viewing (during which one particular scene emotionally "sneak-attacked" me), because my roommates were there and I did NOT want them to see me cry, I spent a painful amount of effort to hold it in. Well apparently something still "needed to come out" because I later had the urge to watch MORE tearjerkers... in private this time. I was so fascinated by that new craving, and after some research decided it probably had to do with the feel-good brain endorphins that often get released along with tears (which I just hadn't noticed until that point in my life, for whatever reason).. But... finding more tearjerkers that "worked on me" was easier said than done. Three YEARS after that "inside Out" viewing, I accidentally stumbled upon Interstellar, then a short while later, "The Land Before Time." Then even though I was actively seeking more... SEVEN MONTHS went by before I found my NEXT tear-releaser... ...and that turned out to be THIS movie, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." Like I said, it wasn't until AFTER the movie when the wheels in my head started turning... when, after about four intense minutes, I ended up with a good little puddle on backs of my hands and enough endorphins to have finally hit the "tears-off" button my brain. I think what makes this movie extra sad to me is... it makes me think of possibly memories that I had at one point, that I don't have anymore. I don't know how anyone would willingly use this piece of fictional technology as presented in the movie. We all no doubt ACTUALLY have little memories here and there that have "NATURALLY" faded, ones that we might enjoy if they get stimulated to consciousness. I've seen that happen in real life, in fact, through old photographs, old videos etc. But to willingly erase any very significant memories that have ANY pleasant or ANY useful components at all (like in this movie)... how can anyone think that's a good idea? Side note: Since my first "emotional wake-up call" via "Inside Out", for a while, it had been impossible for any movie to "get me" a SECOND time. Including THIS one; I waited about a week after my first viewing and tried this movie a second time and it didn't do anything "external" to me. A few years later, "Nimona" got me FIFTEEN TIMES within a few weeks, though! So "Nimona" was my first "repeater tearjerker".

[@ktotheramer]

This movie is GRE@T for rewatches! The beginning makes so more sense when you know it’s the end of the movie instead of a year earlier. It explains why he talks about it being so long since his last journal entry, and it’s because those pages were about Clementine and were ripped out. It also makes it much easier to follow his memories from most recent to oldest and see how those are linked together. Visually this is a stunning movie and it’s hard to believe that they used minimal digital effects. Most of it was done with practical camera effects.

[@s1lentch1ll]

i've yet to meet someone that doesn't get emotionally devastated by this movie and gets reminded of a special someone.. this movie just hits deep

[@41tinman41]

There's only one girl that comes to mind when I watch this movie. It makes me wish I had Joel's bravery in the end when things came to that turning point in my relationship.

[@sathvamp1]

Yup I was definitely one of many who got emotionally devastated! And I don't cry easily either. For me, it was mainly AFTER the movie was over, when the credits were rolling, was when my brain had some space to really process everything. During the movie, so many scenes were so painful to me, especially the desperate attempts to escape the memory-erasing. And at the end, the acceptance of the inevitability. Let's back up; here's a little background about me: For whatever reason, until I saw certain tearjerker scene(s) of the movie "Inside Out" at around age 30, I literally could not remember crying or getting very emotional in response to any movies PRIOR to that, my whole life. As it turned out, during that first "Inside Out" viewing (during which one particular scene emotionally "sneak-attacked" me), because my roommates were there and I did NOT want them to see me cry, I spent a painful amount of effort to hold it in. Well apparently something still "needed to come out" because I later had the urge to watch MORE tearjerkers... in private this time. I was so fascinated by that new craving, and after some research decided it probably had to do with the feel-good brain endorphins that often get released along with tears (which I just hadn't noticed until that point in my life, for whatever reason).. But... finding more tearjerkers that "worked on me" was easier said than done. Three YEARS after that "inside Out" viewing, I accidentally stumbled upon Interstellar, then a short while later, "The Land Before Time." Then even though I was actively seeking more... SEVEN MONTHS went by before I found my NEXT tear-releaser... ...and that turned out to be THIS movie, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." It wasn't until AFTER the movie when the wheels in my head started turning... when, after about four intense minutes, I ended up with a good little puddle on backs of my hands and enough endorphins to have finally hit the "tears-off" button my brain. I think what makes this movie extra sad to me is... it makes me think of possibly memories that I had at one point, that I don't have anymore. I don't know how anyone would willingly use this piece of fictional technology as presented in the movie. We all no doubt ACTUALLY have little memories here and there that have "NATURALLY" faded, ones that we might enjoy if they get stimulated to consciousness. I've seen that happen in real life, in fact, through old photographs, old videos etc. But to willingly erase any very significant memories that have ANY pleasant or ANY useful components at all (like in this movie)... how can anyone think that's a good idea? Side note: Since my first "emotional wake-up call" via "Inside Out", for a while, it had been impossible for any movie to "get me" a SECOND time. Including THIS one; I waited about a week after my first viewing and tried this movie a second time and it didn't do anything "external" to me. A few years later, "Nimona" got me FIFTEEN TIMES within a few weeks, though! So "Nimona" was my first "repeater tearjerker".

[@s1lentch1ll]

@@sathvamp1 what a beautiful comment, thank you for sharing. if you want some good tearjerkers, from Pixar watch Coco and Soul.

[@s1lentch1ll]

@@sathvamp1 beautiful comment, thank you for sharing. If you want more Pixar tearjerkers, check out Coco and Soul.

[@s1lentch1ll]

@@sathvamp1 beautiful comment, thank you for sharing. Check out Coco and Soul too.

[@TychiBalls]

I totally agree. You were so observant of the details of this movie. Like Clementine's hair color throughout the film was definitely something I missed. I had to watch this 3 times before I fully understood what was going on. My first viewing I didn’t really care for the movie because it didn't make a whole lot of sense. I wasn't ready for the way the story was fragmented but my intuition kept bringing me back to it. Also, the soundtrack was so beautiful yet haunting and I think that was something that initially drew me to watch it again and again till it made sense and I could appreciate the film as it was intended. Anyway, good for you not being as slow as me to understand this film 😂. I really do feel it is in my top 10 movies of all time. The way they told the story was absolutely creative and unlike anything I have seen before.

[@ty_the_RetoVideo_guy5543r]

This is easily my fav movie Jim Carrey has been n, I have seen this many times and honestly I catch something new every time. This is one heck of a screenplay too 😀

[@midearthling]

I named my puppy Clementine after this character and always bought her orange collars and sweaters. She was also a firecracker, spoiled rotten, and tolerated only a select few people and other dogs. I already cried every time I'd rewatch the film, but after she passed it added another layer of meaning for me. My lil tangerine 🧡

[@sathvamp1]

[@tofersiefken]

If a film narrative were a jigsaw puzzle, revealed piece by piece, out of order, and only fully understood when the last piece is in place, this film masterfully assembles that puzzle. (I ugly-cry every time I re-watch.)

[@sathvamp1]

Me too, well not the second time (I don't cry easily, at least not historically) but I did for my third time during this reaction. Let's back up; here's a little background about me: For whatever reason, until I saw certain tearjerker scene(s) of the movie "Inside Out" at around age 30, I literally could not remember crying or getting very emotional in response to any movies PRIOR to that, my whole life. As it turned out, during that first "Inside Out" viewing (during which one particular scene emotionally "sneak-attacked" me), because my roommates were there and I did NOT want them to see me cry, I spent a painful amount of effort to hold it in. Well apparently something still "needed to come out" because I later had the urge to watch MORE tearjerkers... in private this time. I was so fascinated by that new craving, and after some research decided it probably had to do with the feel-good brain endorphins that often get released along with tears (which I just hadn't noticed until that point in my life, for whatever reason).. But... finding more tearjerkers that "worked on me" was easier said than done. Three YEARS after that "inside Out" viewing, I accidentally stumbled upon Interstellar, then a short while later, "The Land Before Time." Then even though I was actively seeking more... SEVEN MONTHS went by before I found my NEXT tear-releaser... ...and that turned out to be THIS movie, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." It wasn't until AFTER the movie when the wheels in my head started turning... when, after about four intense minutes, I ended up with a good little puddle on backs of my hands and enough endorphins to have finally hit the "tears-off" button my brain. I think what makes this movie extra sad to me is... it makes me think of possibly memories that I had at one point, that I don't have anymore. I don't know how anyone would willingly use this piece of fictional technology as presented in the movie. We all no doubt ACTUALLY have little memories here and there that have "NATURALLY" faded, ones that we might enjoy if they get stimulated to consciousness. I've seen that happen in real life, in fact, through old photographs, old videos etc. But to willingly erase any very significant memories that have ANY pleasant or ANY useful components at all (like in this movie)... how can anyone think that's a good idea? Side note: Since my first "emotional wake-up call" via "Inside Out", for a while, it had been impossible for any movie to "get me" a SECOND time. Including THIS one; I waited about a week after my first viewing and tried this movie a second time and it didn't do anything "external" to me. A few years later, "Nimona" got me FIFTEEN TIMES within a few weeks, though! So "Nimona" was my first "repeater tearjerker". So it's been a handful of years since my first viewing of this one.... and during this reaction, it DID "get me again"... complete with another little puddle on the backs of my hands. In between writing comments :P

[@chalupacabra69_420]

The cinema near my apartment has a one time screening of this film every Valentine’s Day and I go every year. And every year, I’m crying with a theatre of people who are also crying and it just reminds me how great this film is.

[@VictorVonGrooove]

One of my top 5 movies! Thanks for doing this!

[@ANGELINAA]

It really is a masterpiece.

[@VictorVonGrooove]

I would suggest watching Field of Dreams. That's number one on my list. It's so good!!!

[@garretthenderson5738]

The "okay" from Joel at the end cemented this as an alltime favorite. He's not going in with any notions that it will be better this time, that there will be a happy ever after. He's just willing to except the relationship for what it is. A bad ending does negate the glory that was so much of their time together.

[@Dunybrook]

Always great seeing your reactions to classics films like this one.

[@LinkChow8150]

This is one of my all-time favorites, so when I saw that you were watching it I clicked on it so fast! The rewatchability is very high, as you noted the filmmaking is incredible and the acting impeccable. Such a beautiful story with a true message: better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all!

[@smavtmb2196]

Just missed the premiere, but very excited to see your reaction Angelina. . I love this movie/own a copy. It's emotionally moving

[@ANGELINAA]

So excited you're here to watch with me! 🤩

[@AugustaThomas-x9c]

My favorite scene is when Mary is reciting the quote that references the movie title. The juxtaposition of that and the scenes showing the last few happy memories that Joel has before they're erased always makes me cry.

[@sathvamp1]

I also absolutely cried in response to this movie... hard. VERY, very, HARD. And I don't cry easily either. For me, it was mainly AFTER the movie was over, when the credits were rolling, was when my brain had some space to really process everything. During the movie, so many scenes were so painful to me, especially the desperate attempts to escape the memory-erasing. And at the end, the acceptance of the inevitability. Let's back up; here's a little background about me: For whatever reason, until I saw certain tearjerker scene(s) of the movie "Inside Out" at around age 30, I literally could not remember crying or getting very emotional in response to any movies PRIOR to that, my whole life. As it turned out, during that first "Inside Out" viewing (during which one particular scene emotionally "sneak-attacked" me), because my roommates were there and I did NOT want them to see me cry, I spent a painful amount of effort to hold it in. Well apparently something still "needed to come out" because I later had the urge to watch MORE tearjerkers... in private this time. I was so fascinated by that new craving, and after some research decided it probably had to do with the feel-good brain endorphins that often get released along with tears (which I just hadn't noticed until that point in my life, for whatever reason).. But... finding more tearjerkers that "worked on me" was easier said than done. Three YEARS after that "inside Out" viewing, I accidentally stumbled upon Interstellar, then a short while later, "The Land Before Time." Then even though I was actively seeking more... SEVEN MONTHS went by before I found my NEXT tear-releaser... ...and that turned out to be THIS movie, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." It wasn't until AFTER the movie when the wheels in my head started turning... when, after about four intense minutes, I ended up with a good little puddle on backs of my hands and enough endorphins to have finally hit the "tears-off" button my brain. I think what makes this movie extra sad to me is... it makes me think of possibly memories that I had at one point, that I don't have anymore. I don't know how anyone would willingly use this piece of fictional technology as presented in the movie. We all no doubt ACTUALLY have little memories here and there that have "NATURALLY" faded, ones that we might enjoy if they get stimulated to consciousness. I've seen that happen in real life, in fact, through old photographs, old videos etc. But to willingly erase any very significant memories that have ANY pleasant or ANY useful components at all (like in this movie)... how can anyone think that's a good idea? Side note: Since my first "emotional wake-up call" via "Inside Out", for a while, it had been impossible for any movie to "get me" a SECOND time. Including THIS one; I waited about a week after my first viewing and tried this movie a second time and it didn't do anything "external" to me. A few years later, "Nimona" got me FIFTEEN TIMES within a few weeks, though! So "Nimona" was my first "repeater tearjerker". So it's been a handful of years since my first viewing of this one.... and during this reaction, it DID "get me again"... complete with another little puddle on the backs of my hands. In between writing comments :P

[@supernovaremnant5119]

"Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."

[@axelfoley133]

I saw this in my early 20s and Joel was the first character that I had seen that captured the anxiety that dominated my life at that time. The desire to connect but also deep fear of screwing up that keeps him from engaging with people. And his line "Why do I fall in love with every woman that shows me the littlest bit of attention?" Literally the first time I realized that another person had that experience. In all honesty, this movie was probably the first step for me to start overcoming anxiety and begin meeting people, and it was incredibly informative about how to handle my first big breakup, which was similarly ugly. But one of the film's big themes is that it's important to remember the good times, as well as the bad, because you need to learn from them. (notice how people who always blame their partner for everything and say "Why did I ever date him/her?" always seem to get stuck in a cycle?) To this day, this film is tied #1 on my list, alongside Everything Everywhere all at Once. Both are mish-mashes of so many genres, and use absurdity to just overload the brain so that the real, genuine moments just hit with no logic filter to interrupt it. There's just something about this type of movie - when done right - that just hits me in the gut.

[@DaNooch669]

Them playing in the snow at the end and it repeating itself is them continuing to erase each other's memories over the years.

[@alcibiadesnz]

Yay! So glad you finally watched this! ❤😊 This movie is one of my all-time faves!

[@yvainees]

I had the pleasure of writing an essay on this film/memory for a university assignment and I even cried a little analysing it 😅

[@sathvamp1]

That is so sweet, and totally not surprising! I've cried writing comments on reaction videos to this movie before (!). And I don't cry easily either (at least, not historically). Let's back up; here's a little background about me: For whatever reason, until I saw certain tearjerker scene(s) of the movie "Inside Out" at around age 30, I literally could not remember crying or getting very emotional in response to any movies PRIOR to that, my whole life. As it turned out, during that first "Inside Out" viewing (during which one particular scene emotionally "sneak-attacked" me), because my roommates were there and I did NOT want them to see me cry, I spent a painful amount of effort to hold it in. Well apparently something still "needed to come out" because I later had the urge to watch MORE tearjerkers... in private this time. I was so fascinated by that new craving, and after some research decided it probably had to do with the feel-good brain endorphins that often get released along with tears (which I just hadn't noticed until that point in my life, for whatever reason).. But... finding more tearjerkers that "worked on me" was easier said than done. Three YEARS after that "inside Out" viewing, I accidentally stumbled upon Interstellar, then a short while later, "The Land Before Time." Then even though I was actively seeking more... SEVEN MONTHS went by before I found my NEXT tear-releaser... ...and that turned out to be THIS movie, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." It wasn't until AFTER the movie when the wheels in my head started turning... when, after about four intense minutes, I ended up with a good little puddle on backs of my hands and enough endorphins to have finally hit the "tears-off" button my brain. I think what makes this movie extra sad to me is... it makes me think of possibly memories that I had at one point, that I don't have anymore. I don't know how anyone would willingly use this piece of fictional technology as presented in the movie. We all no doubt ACTUALLY have little memories here and there that have "NATURALLY" faded, ones that we might enjoy if they get stimulated to consciousness. I've seen that happen in real life, in fact, through old photographs, old videos etc. But to willingly erase any very significant memories that have ANY pleasant or ANY useful components at all (like in this movie)... how can anyone think that's a good idea? Side note: Since my first "emotional wake-up call" via "Inside Out", for a while, it had been impossible for any movie to "get me" a SECOND time. Including THIS one; I waited about a week after my first viewing and tried this movie a second time and it didn't do anything "external" to me. A few years later, "Nimona" got me FIFTEEN TIMES within a few weeks, though! So "Nimona" was my first "repeater tearjerker". So it's been a handful of years since my first viewing of this one.... and during this reaction, it DID "get me again"... complete with another little puddle on the backs of my hands. In between writing comments :P

[@DavidAntrobus]

Yeah, I cried too. Every time I watched it.

[@sathvamp1]

I also absolutely cried in response to this movie... hard. VERY, very, HARD. And I don't cry easily either. I think what makes this movie extra sad to me is... it makes me think of possibly memories that I had at one point, that I don't have anymore. I don't know how anyone would willingly use this piece of fictional technology as presented in the movie. We all no doubt ACTUALLY have little memories here and there that have "NATURALLY" faded, ones that we might enjoy if they get stimulated to consciousness. I've seen that happen in real life, in fact, through old photographs, old videos etc. But to willingly erase any very significant memories that have ANY pleasant or ANY useful components at all (like in this movie)... how can anyone think that's a good idea?

[@DavidAntrobus]

@@sathvamp1 I got so immersed in the movie that I found myself memorizing scenes so that I could make sure Joel and Clementine wouldn't lose them! 😅 But yes, it's both sad and terrifying, and anyone who has had a family member suffer with dementia will understand that. As you say, who would _willingly_ erase memories (unless they were of severe trauma or something like that)?

[@sathvamp1]

@@DavidAntrobus Aw to the "memorizing scenes to make sure they wouldn't lose them" (!). The first time I saw this movie, I kept saying (about the choosing to erase) "Don't do it, don't do it..." Regarding cases of severe trauma, yeah I won't claim there's no cases at all to use this technology. Still, I would wonder: I bet in those cases, even after using such technology, the brain damage/changes that had happened because of the trauma would probably still be there. Except, after declarative memory erasure, the person might simply no longer realize WHY they feel anxious all the time, maybe jumpy / paranoid for seemingly no reason, have nightmares (of perhaps things they don't even recognize anymore), even have poor health in the rest of their body, etc (again, for "seemingly no reason", if they no longer had memory of the trigger events). I don't know what would be worse: No longer having any clue why all those things were going on with me... or remembering why. Probably depends on one's personality (and the exact traumatic situation of course). I do remember how, in the movie, after Joel had his memory erased, he still felt weird; he just didn't know why.

[@DavidAntrobus]

@@sathvamp1 Yeah, all good points.

[@mg1romulus]

OMG we have the same water bottle! In all seriousness, this film also made me weep. I couldn’t watch it for years because my ex loved this movie and every-time i even thought about the film, i would become emotional. Now, I cried with acceptance , as I realized that even though I was in a horrible relationship, that I felt some form of love.

[@markjones127]

I'm a middle aged man and this film turns me into a blubbering wreck every time I watch it, incredible film, I love how the underlying concept of this film is that they're actually perfect for each other and the whole process is just an impetuous mistake, but in the end they find a loophole into giving themselves a second chance. This made me watch 'Be Kind Rewind' (which I was shocked to love so much as I thought the film sounded awful!) and 'The Science of Sleep' too which are also both wonderful films from the same director.

[@sathvamp1]

Same here, and I'm a middle aged woman who, for most of my life for some reason, never before had any movie "get me" until I saw "Inside Out" for the first time, which was in my mid-30's. So here is that back story: As it turned out, during that first "Inside Out" viewing (during which one particular scene emotionally "sneak-attacked" me), because my roommates were there and I did NOT want them to see me cry, I spent a painful amount of effort to hold it in. Well apparently something still "needed to come out" because I later had the urge to watch MORE tearjerkers... in private this time. I was so fascinated by that new craving, and after some research decided it probably had to do with the feel-good brain endorphins that often get released along with tears (which I just hadn't noticed until that point in my life, for whatever reason). But... finding more tearjerkers that "worked on me" was easier said than done. Three YEARS after that "inside Out" viewing, I accidentally stumbled upon Interstellar (which definitely "worked on me"!), then a short while later, "The Land Before Time" (decades after I'd seen it as a child....total puddles for hours after that one). Then even though I was actively seeking more... SEVEN MONTHS went by before I found my NEXT tear-releaser... ...and that turned out to be THIS movie, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." It wasn't until AFTER the movie when the wheels in my head started turning... when I ended up with a good little puddle on backs of my hands and enough endorphins to have finally hit the "tears-off" button my brain. I think what makes this movie extra sad to me is... it makes me think of possibly memories that I had at one point, that I don't have anymore. I don't know how anyone would willingly use this piece of fictional technology as presented in the movie. We all no doubt ACTUALLY have little memories here and there that have "NATURALLY" faded, ones that we might enjoy if they get stimulated to consciousness. I've seen that happen in real life, in fact, through old photographs, old videos etc. But to willingly erase any very significant memories that have ANY pleasant or ANY useful components at all (like in this movie)... how can anyone think that's a good idea?

[@quayrice3729]

Loved your reaction to this beautiful film. I'm a huge fan of this movie and your comments at the end are really spot on.

[@Monochromize]

This came out at such an... opportune time in my life. In the wake of my first long term relationship ending and... it really helped me frame that relationship and that loss in a way i'd been struggling with prior. One of my all time favorites. Beautifully filmed and acted.

[@drusilla3882]

If you haven't seen Being John Malkovich (1999) - you really should. Directed by Spike Jonze and written by Charlie Kaufman...it's quirky & mind-bending like this

[@emanrun]

Great review!! My favorite movies and yes such great visuals and concept.

[@DogAndEazy]

Such a beautiful movie; thought provoking and moving, an absolute favourite. Also, the music is fantastic! 😊

[@ilovemetal1100]

This is such a heartfelt and genuine Movie. I love it! ❤

[@captainsplifford]

So many of the special effects in this movie were practical or done with simple camera tricks. So brilliant. I saw it in the theater and was blown away and I absolutely wept throughout.

[@sathvamp1]

In the theater, wow- I would have been a puddle for hours. Even at home, I also absolutely cried in response to this movie... hard. VERY, very, HARD. And I don't cry easily either. I think what makes this movie extra sad to me is... it makes me think of possibly memories that I had at one point, that I don't have anymore. I don't know how anyone would willingly use this piece of fictional technology as presented in the movie. We all no doubt ACTUALLY have little memories here and there that have "NATURALLY" faded, ones that we might enjoy if they get stimulated to consciousness. I've seen that happen in real life, in fact, through old photographs, old videos etc. But to willingly erase any very significant memories that have ANY pleasant or ANY useful components at all (like in this movie)... how can anyone think that's a good idea?

[@andrwarrior]

Seeing reactions to this movie is the present-day equivalent of erasing my memories of seeing it for the first time and enjoying it again. Thanks for giving it love. Anyone who hasn't seen it yet, still watched the reaction and had it spoiled, can still find time to watch it yourself, as repeat viewings continue to excite me with new discoveries.

[@jlilley73]

This is my all-time favorite movie. I'm sure I cried when I first watched it, and probably at least teared up with every rewatch. Heck, I teared up watching you cry to it.

[@sathvamp1]

I ended up with a good puddle on the backs of my hands the first time I saw it, and again during this reaction. And teared up even writing comments.

[@josephmayo3253]

Such a great movie. Nice reaction, Ang. Don't feel too bad about guessing everything wrong. It's designed to throw you off the first time. That way you want to watch a second, third, fourth. So you can pick up all the little details. Just remember on your rewatches, Clementine's hair color tells where in the linear timeline the story is at. Another quirky treat for you is Fargo. I won't spoil anything for you, but there are some great performances in it. One in particular is absolutely amazing.

[@krisfrederick5001]

Absolutely one of my favorite Carrey movies. It has its subtle humor but hits so differently and hard regarding memories in every way. It doesn't help that one of my ex's looked just like Clementine.

[@MontgomeryWenis]

In that way, it's similar to Stranger Than Fiction. I'm not a fan of Will Ferrell, at all. But his genuine subtle comedy in that otherwise dramatic movie was just *_*mwah_** chef's kiss. Just goes to show that not all performances need to be dialed up to 11.

[@ninja_tony]

@@MontgomeryWenis this is a perfect comment for me, because I was never a fan of Will Ferrell either, and Stranger Than Fiction was the movie that made me realize he was more than just a childish goofball like a lot of his movies portray. In the same way, this is the movie that made me finally appreciate Jim Carrey, because I wasn’t really a fan of his comedy roles in the 90’s, but this movie and The Truman Show absolutely blew me away when I discovered them.

[@sxh603]

All time favorite moviee 😭

[@user-ci5le3uk5l]

This is one of my three favourite movies of all time❤️ i absolutely love it, never fails me to get a tear in my eyes..

[@DJMooseKnuckle]

This film along with Her are my favourite movies of all time. The storytelling the screenplay by Charlie Kaufman is absolute perfection, brilliant! Aside from Memento and this film I’ve yet to see a story that moves the plot forward by going backwards, (sure you could throw Tenet in there) viewing Joel’s newest memories until the first time he met Clementine is such a bittersweet journey to experience. Two moments in the last memory always get me; what do we do? Enjoy it. Make it seem like at least we had one; Bye Joel, I love you. The craziest thing about all this is Clementine went through something similar while her memories were being erased, why else would they both know where to meet on that specific day. Gosh I love this movie so much it has a special place in my heart and the worst thing about it is I can’t really share it anybody that would like it like I do, so I’m glad to see your reaction thank you for the upload 🫰

[@atrus3823]

I saw this in the theatre when it came out. I was already a huge Charlie Kauffman fan, so had been looking forward to this for ages before it came out. Needless to say, my expectations were high, and it exceeded them! To me, this is a rare perfect movie. Not a single second was out of place.

[@marclevy1506]

Arcane and now this… how do you have any tears left!?

[@StarsDie88]

This movie still had my favorite visual representation of dreams. Because as cool as Inception was, it never felt like they were in a dream. This movie really makes you feel like you're witnessing dream sequences.

[@CyberChunk77]

I'm 5 mins in and ange is on point. Excellent video much love (I always cry on this one)❤

[@BeboBaggins-e3w]

This movie is pure torture. Not to be philosophical but this movie hits like a semi-truck it's a starch reminder of the people we've lost or let's go. For me the ending represents love itself as much as you wish sometimes that you could forget even the worst things you've done, they make you who you imagine if every time you knew it would be the last time you talked to someone special you'd say goodbye tell them you loved them but things would be much different you would be a much different person loss and pain teach us things about ourselves they are the most valuable lesson in the end when they hear the tapes about each other stating all the nasty thoughts they had about each other at the end clementine responds accordingly realizing they couldn't work out they've done it before its so much pain and loss and for what? But Joel realizes it just doesn't matter love is the lesson because no matter what pain they will go through no matter what heartbreak will follow it will always be less painful than loving and trying and saying goodbye loving even though you know it will hurt and scar yet loving all the same

[@sathvamp1]

YES absolutely agree with you!!

[@sirrobert23]

I first saw this movie when I was going through a tough break up and I really connected with it. Gets me every time I watch it. Top 3 movie for me

[@D23-88]

"What a loss to spend that much time with someone, only to find out that she's a stranger." That line has stayed with me ever since I first watched this film, because it's such an incredibly accurate feeling when going through a breakup.

[@blueroninstudios]

We relate to the tender moments as much as we do the ugly moments. Its literally every relationship on earth, its real its raw, some of it you want to forget becuase of the ugly moments, and some of it we really want to hold onto because ...... it wasnt all bad. Okay, Im getting emotional now, I gotta go! Angie you are not an ugly mess .... you're jsut a wonderful human being, and I know IM not the only one who feels this way .... but we're glad you're here. Hope this comment makes you cry happy tears or at least gives you a reason to smile.

[@sathvamp1]

For sure, you are not the only one... including not the only one to get emotional while even writing comments about this movie (!)

[@sathvamp1]

I'm only about 4-5 minutes into your video but I gotta say: Before I saw this movie for the first time, I had the impression it might be a tearjerker, and at the point when I first thought "they are SO cute together" I thought to myself "Yeah this movie might very well break me" :P

[@redballoonpictures]

one of my favorite films, went to go see it the 2nd time at this independent theater and it was amazing. glad you got to see this masterpiece.

[@Damascene749]

When he wakes up and tears up, while the doctor decides to drug him, was so emotional and deep. Such a chasm between what he is going through compared to the “operators”. Basically it’s pointing to the fact that the doctor who invented this hasn’t realized what a deadly weapon he has on his hands in terms of psychological and spiritual health, he hasn’t learned even though he has suffered first hand from the device. And at the end, it comes back to haunt him, his whole system collapses when his love interest reveals everyone’s backstories to them. That to me is amazing writing. The few seconds where Joel is awake until he is sedated feels like a lifetime because of the raw emotion displayed by Jim Carrey. Definitely his best acting ever.

[@REZhomie]

I always stick around to the very end...love the way she says "bye" ✌🏽😁

[@davidwoolbright3675]

I cry every time I see this movie or just reactions!! This is a perfect movie and one of my favorites!!

[@sathvamp1]

Me too- it got me good the first time and for this reaction a couple years later.

[@TheHouseOffice]

It's my favorite movie. My number one. I rewatch all the time and never get tired of it

[@cyrilf92]

I'm glad that the director Michel Gondry is french like me, one of his best movie, you should check for the others movies he made. He also done a lot of video clips for Bjork, Foo fighters, The White Stripe, The Chemical Brothers etc...

[@MikkoRantalainen]

I haven't cried watching this movie but I've seen it multiple times and it's definitely one of the top 10 movies I've ever seen. If you haven't seen Amélie, that's another great and weird movie, too. Definitely worth watching even if you need subtitles to view it.

[@1jake2ful]

This film is partially why Charlie Kaufman is my favorite screenwriter. The man has a genuine real understanding of human behavior

[@muhammedirfans4412]

Remember its always the actors who can make us laugh , is the ones who can easily break us

[@splockhart]

No matter how many times I watch this movie I cry. Honestly at different parts every time. I absolutely love this movie.

[@Tattbook]

I love this movie sooo much! I see many people recommending you the other Charlie Kaufman movies, but I will greatly recommend you another Michel Gondry film very reminiscent of this one: The Science of Sleep.

[@carnilia]

Thanks for helping me cry, lol! I needed it.

[@85deadloverslane]

This was one of my all time favorite movies, I remember this was in theaters at the time I was going thru a lot with my relationship, I must've watched this movie in theaters 100 times, luckily my friend worked there and got me in for free, thanks Kevin

[@RRM1000]

This film was a perfect storm of creative brilliance. First, director Michel Gondry, at the height of his artistic powers, chose practical effects and clever camera tricks over CGI, a decision that gave the film a unique and grounded feel. While none of his subsequent works have reached the heights of Eternal Sunshine, you can still see his genius in his music videos - Let Forever Be, in particular, stands out as one of the greatest music videos ever made. Then there’s Charlie Kaufman, whose mind-bending yet deeply compelling scripts are as surreal as they are profound. From the absurd brilliance of Being John Malkovich to the devastatingly introspective Synecdoche, New York (which he also directed), I've loved everything he's created. Finally, the brilliant cast, brimming with star power, showcases Jim Carrey’s remarkable range, proving that he could tackle serious roles with the same mastery he applied to comedy. And of course, Kate Winslet is, as always, utterly captivating. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is my favourite film. Period.

[@tofersiefken]

If you ever get a chance to see the "making of" behind-the-scenes documentary about this film, I highly recommend it.

[@sathvamp1]

Do you know of any good KZbin links to such things?

[@jordanalford2825]

Yeah this one is in my personal top 10. I absolutely love it. And it gets better with multiple rewatches.

[@timadkins7326]

On the casual watch, you might miss one of the meanings. The movie is saying that when you love someone they become a part of you, stay connected. When Joel was having the erasing done, real life Clem was freaking out..."I feel like I'm being erased!" The part of her still connected with Joel was being erased. The other proof.."Meet me in Montauk." The last words of her "memory self" to Joel. Then without consciously knowing why...they both go to Montauk. So, it had to be more than a memory. Gets out of scifi and gets into fantasy romance, but beautiful. And yes, only a sociopath could watch this and not tear up.

[@sathvamp1]

For sure, on that last note: I cried HARD immediately after my first watch, and I don't cry easily (first movie to actually ever trigger me was "Inside Out"... at age ~30!). "Inside Out" actually turned me into a tearjerker-SEEKER despite my history to the contrary...probably because (since my roommates were watching with me at the time) I spent a painful amount of effort to "hold it in"... only to discover after the movie ended that I desperately wanted to find MORE tearjerkers for myself (presumably, after some research, because of partially-released endorphins that apparently can come along with tears). Finding more movie that would "work on me" turned out to be easier said than done; it took a few years to stumble upon "Interstellar" which definitely "worked".... then "Land Before Time", and then seven months after that, THIS one totally destroyed me.

[@Dhoehn24]

Didn’t know you were out on the island. Love this movie more when I first watched this movie and saw that.

[@smexijebus]

I love this movie. Please, please consider reacting to (or even just watching) a movie written and directed by the writer of this one, called "Synecdoche, New York". It's an utterly unique experience, darkly comedic and yet beautifully heartfelt, and it's what I consider the late, great Phillip Seymour Hoffman's magnum opus role.

[@shotbybrady8793]

Well said. I adore Synecdoche. The best gift ever given to Philip Seymour Hoffman. So damn proud of everyone in and part of Synecdoche New York. I wonder how well Ang would take it though?

[@andyjohnson4907]

I haven't seen this movie in about twenty years. I got so emotional watching this reaction. It came out at a time in my life when I was sheltered just like Joel, then I met a free spirit like Clementine. She was a bloody nightmare. But she changed my life for the better.

[@sathvamp1]

Twenty years? Oh man- for me it's only been a couple years since I saw this movie, and I definitely got so emotional all over again with this reaction. Speaking of twenty years.... that WAS about the time frame after which I saw, as an adult, "The Land Before Time". I was a total mess for half the day after that!

[@Anubisblack]

I like to think that they will have a better relationship the second time around because they know the issues and can work through them better.

[@S-jq1yk]

Gondry was dope around this time, so many cool ideas

[@MontgomeryWenis]

Most of the trippy transitions were done practically! They built sets with secret doors and hideaways for the actors to slip through. You've got the timeline of her hair wrong. It's blue in the middle of the story. Edit: You figured it out!

[@KJGould]

A brilliant, mind bending indy. All shots were done practically with moving sets and camera tricks.

[@Wrencher_86]

There's plenty of digital effects in this movie. They were working with a limited budget so they had to get creative with it. But it is most definitely not all practical.

[@WHITELOTUS606]

I believe that saying fits this movie well. " 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." Great movie!

[@gamingmaud9753]

you should watch Ballerina (synopsis(In 1879 Paris, a young orphan dreams of becoming a ballerina and flees her rural Brittany for Paris, where she passes for someone else and accedes to the position of pupil at the Grand Opera house.). It is a really good movie and the music is on point. All the songs that are in this movie I have them in my playlist. The visuals are very cool and pretty. I've watched the movie over 10 times now and I still really enjoy to watch the movie.

[@bboy1insane]

This movie holds such a special place in my heart, always reminds me of my most recent ex i watched it together with. i have such a soft spot for because, People say Clementine is a really good and accurate representation of BPD and it is something my ex has and it hit really hard for her to see and feel validated with everything she experiences with BPD herself. beautiful movie and such a deep concept. if it was always doomed to fail would you still do it? yes i would

[@newtypeJP]

Circa Survive's album Juturna has some stuff inspired by this.

[@Childofbhaal]

That’s how I discovered this movie lol love Circa so much

[@johnmavroudis2054]

A top-tier film in my book. Brilliantly acted, filmed ,written… just perfect. Since you love this, you’ll also love these films which have the same level of magic qualities: “PLEASANTVILLE,” “STRANGER THAN FICTION,” and “AMELIE.” Once you see any of these, you’ll never forget them… unless you get the procedure… and even the, you’d come back to them. Cheers! (and, yes. I cried)

[@bigpictureguys8415]

The moment when Joel tries to stop the procedure but can’t is one of the most nightmarish things I’ve ever seen on film. The fear I felt in my heart has scarcely ever been matched

[@ktotheramer]

💙💙💙💙. YAY!!! This is my all-time favorite movie!

[@oscargill423]

"I have nothing to say" _proceeds to say something_ Never change, Ange.

[@RavenStillBeguiling]

The original script has an older version of them coming back to Lacuna to have their memories erased again. It's then revealed they've been erasing each other and getting back together for decades. They went with a more optimistic ending but notice the last scene of them running in the snow keeps looping over and over, hinting at what's to come. Which makes sense because how do you learn from mistakes you don't remember making? You don't. So you're just doomed to keep repeating them over and over again.

[@ajlynch123]

You should also check out some other movies by this writer. His pretend brother (who doesn’t exist) won a legit Academy Award for Best Screenplay with the movie Adaptation - it’s a MUST WATCH

[@shotbybrady8793]

You don't necessarily have to watch Being John Malkovich before Adaptation, but it's highly recommended.

[@dave_by_day7632]

Random fun fact: Jim Carrey was Tupac's favorite actor and when Tupac was in jail Carrey would write him humorous letters to to him to raise his spirits. Love this actor

[@bigpictureguys8415]

Thesis statement: “it is better to have loved & lost than to have never loved at all.”

[@spidervenom14]

Angelina is our Eternal Sunshine. 😉

[@slaypotato6267]

Hi Ang! Long time viewer but never really commented haha. I recently just watched this show called Interior Chinatown and as someone who is an Asian American that grew up near NY Chinatown, I resonated a lot with the plot and hidden messages within the show. I think you should give it a watch cause I would love to know what you think! Love your vids!!

[@TheDaringPastry1313]

Carrey is a pretty good artist, just look up his stuff and he has a really creative style. One of my favorite movies .. I love the musical score how it makes you feel so uneasy at times and how choppy and jerky the dialog is. Absolutely adore this movie so much.

[@extantsanity]

Yeah I cry every time. Not embarrassed about it either, because it's just so good.

[@sathvamp1]

I'm also not embarrassed about crying to great ones like this. That wasn't always the case though: Here's a little background about me: For whatever reason, until I saw certain tearjerker scene(s) of the movie "Inside Out" at around age 30, I literally could not remember crying or getting very emotional in response to any movies PRIOR to that, my whole life. As it turned out, during that first "Inside Out" viewing (during which one particular scene emotionally "sneak-attacked" me), because my roommates were there and I did NOT want them to see me cry, I spent a painful amount of effort to hold it in. Well apparently something still "needed to come out" because I later had the urge to watch MORE tearjerkers... in private this time. I was so fascinated by that new craving, and after some research decided it probably had to do with the feel-good brain endorphins that often get released along with tears (which I just hadn't noticed until that point in my life, for whatever reason). But... even if I viewed them privately, finding more tearjerkers that "worked on me" was easier said than done. Three YEARS after that "inside Out" viewing, I accidentally stumbled upon Interstellar, then a short while later, "The Land Before Time." Then even though I was actively seeking more... SEVEN MONTHS went by before I found my NEXT tear-releaser... ...and that turned out to be THIS movie, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." It took even longer to find a "repeater tearjerker" (for a while, it had been impossible for any movie to "get me" a SECOND time). Including THIS one; I waited about a week after my first viewing and tried this movie a second time and it didn't do anything "external" to me. A few years later, "Nimona" got me FIFTEEN TIMES within a few weeks, though!

[@DevyanshBahri]

28:37 yes we all cried with you ^^

[@sathvamp1]

Yes I sure did too. And actually on the note of anyone wondering after seeing an emotional movie "Does everyone else react the same way I did, or was it just me??" -- that is exactly why I myself started seeking reactors in the first place... to compare theirs to my own reactions. I REALLY wondered those types of thoughts after I saw "Interstellar" (and three years before that, "Inside Out"). Both of those movies totally emotionally "sneak-attacked" me, and before those two, I could not remember getting emotional to ANY movies before then (at around age 30!)

[@Peng-444]

One of the best films about relationships. In fact the only film i can think of that really spoke to me in a sinilar way was 2023s Past Lives.

[@Hueman0000]

This one of my favorite movies 🍿🎥

[@SquiresIsle]

I saw it in the theater when it first came out. I was in a relationship at the time, but I was seeing it alone (Exhibit A). I don't know what specifically about the movie triggered it, I just remember the credits started rolling and my first thought was, "Shit, I have to break up with her........"

[@Brent-w2d]

Back in '03, this movie left me filled with unshed tears and an aching heart.

[@sathvamp1]

Unshed tears are the absolute most painful in my opinion ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" did that to me). For THIS one, that was also the case for me for MOST of the movie, except afterwards during the credits when my brain had some space to really process everything. I think what makes this movie extra sad to me is... it makes me think of possibly memories that I had at one point, that I don't have anymore. I don't know how anyone would willingly use this piece of fictional technology as presented in the movie. We all no doubt ACTUALLY have little memories here and there that have "NATURALLY" faded, ones that we might enjoy if they get stimulated to consciousness. I've seen that happen in real life, in fact, through old photographs, old videos etc. But to willingly erase any very significant memories that have ANY pleasant or ANY useful components at all (like in this movie)... how can anyone think that's a good idea?

[@tofersiefken]

There's an episode of That '70s Show where Eric has the opportunity to "forget" his relationship with Donna. No spoilers, how it turns out, but it's a very emotional episode.

[@woeshaling6421]

I have linked this movie with 500 days of summer. They are very different in approach, but share many similarities and themes