Charlie kaufman, the sreenwriter of eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, is kind of obsessed with the dichotomy between embracing life unabashedly and keeping it at a skeptical and safe distance. Memory and association eternal sunshine of the spotless mind directed by michel gondry. In the eternal sunshine of the spotless mind michel gonry takes us into a world where memories can be erased for the purpose of forgetting about a loved one after a tough breakup. The memory theory of personal identity states that memory is key in defining a person. This is a world of typical every day routine that crowds the thoughts, and emotions of the protagonist.
However, as he watches his memories of her fade away, he realizes that he still loves her, and may be too late to. In director michel gondrys eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, screenwriter charlie kaufman plumbs a consciousnessbending story about a man, joel barish jim carrey, who attempts to ease the pain of a breakup by undergoing a procedure that will erase all memories of the relationship from his mind. This prompts consideration of whether joel and clementine have the same identities after undergoing the memory erasing procedure. In the 2004 comedydrama eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, emotionally sequestered joel barish jim carrey and dysfunctional extrovert clementine kruczynski kate winslet get involved despite their poleward personalities. The narrative subsequently takes place in joels mind during the memory. He looks out the window and sees the same white van that was following him before. Its from a famous poem by alexander pope, eloisa to abelard, in which eloisa remembers the happiness of her early life and the troubles it descended to. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind 961 words 4 pages. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is a 2004 american science fiction romantic drama film. Directed by michel gondry and released in 2004, eternal sunshine of the spotless mind tells the story of a couple who only see the bad side of their relationship. Jan 25, 2018 this video essay from film radar explores the importance of editing in eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. When a person retrieves memories of a person as joel jim carrey does. The next medium shot is an eyeline match that frames joels window, using an. They date for two years and have a bitter breakup, after which clementine has joel erased from her memory.
These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of eternal sunshine of the spotless mind by director michel gondry. Michel gondrys film eternal sunshine of the spotless mind 2004 begins to answer this question by examining memory cognition and exploring the disadvantages of suppressing or erasing memories. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind questions and answers. Beginning when all of what we come to find as the narrative as previously occurred. After a harrowing breakup, joel and clementine jim carrey and kate winslet appealed to a neuroscientist at lacuna, incorporated to delete each. He lives with a nice woman named naomi when he falls in love with erratic, brighthaired clementine kruscynski. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is a soulful movie, its a movie about a lot of personal things that we all can understand and relate to. The scene that best illustrates this mood is a surreal scene in which joel has transplanted both he and clementine back into a memory in which he is a four year old. Eternal sunshine was kuras and gondrys first collaboration, and the cinematographer says that the first three weeks of production were devoted to developing a lighting strategy that would combine an extensive use of practicals with a handful of movie lights. Pierre bismuth created the story with kaufman and gondry.
The woman points out that they both know they will most likely just end up breaking up again. People need both the good and the bad to learn and grow. For all the latest from the script lab, be sure to follow us on twitter, facebook, and instagram. Film analysis of eternal sunshine of the spotless mind essay. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is the rarest of all films. Nov, 2014 doing a freudian analysis requires as much knowledge as possible of the life of the patient. Eternal sunshine s title comes from a line in alexander popes poem, eloise to abelard, which mary svevo recites to howard during the memory erasing procedure. In a sense, what eternal sunshine showed was the opposite. Clementine decides to erase from his memory all traces of their relationship. At first certain events feel off putting because we dont understand. I hope to see you in the response section about this weeks script.
The neuroscience of the spotless mind neuwrite san diego. Jun 18, 2018 even if you do not participate in the analysis, discussion, or write up a scenebyscene breakdown, i strongly encourage you to read these scripts. Even if you do not participate in the analysis, discussion, or write up a scenebyscene breakdown, i strongly encourage you to read these scripts. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is my personal favorite movie of all time. In over a decade since its release, i am yet to find many films that i connect with as much as.
Analyzing the eternal sunshine of the spotless mind final. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind 2004 the movie. There was a point in time where i would watch this movie multiple times a week, every. Much of the film takes place in joels brain as he tries to find a way to preserve his memories of clementine, and two lacuna techies patrick elijah wood and stan mark ruffalo try to erase the memories.
And become a member of tsl 360 to enjoy the largest screenwriting education content library, featuring masterclasses, deepdive interviews, and lectures from academy awardwinning screenwriters, tv showrunners, producers, literary managers, agents, studio. Fifteen years ago, eternal sunshine of the spotless mind viewers watched as joel. The eternal sunshine of the spotless mind film studies essay. It begins at the end of their story rather than at its start so in eternal sunshine of the spotless mind what happens seems to be the opposite of the traditional linear narrative, presenting a narrative structure that one would not expect. Film analysis of eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. It follows an estranged couple who have erased each other from their memories, then remet and started dating again. Sep 17, 2014 arnold schwarzenegger this speech broke the internet and most inspiring speech it changed my life.
Howard mierzwiak, that he also pulls out of his memory all. An individual detailed analysis on the style, editing techniques miseenscene and cinematography in the film eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. Beingmemory in eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, when he states. Read the full synopsis of eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, 2004, directed by michel gondry, with jim carrey, kate winslet, gerry robert byrne, at turner classic movies. The two main characters, joel and clementine, undergo this procedure to erase each other from their memories. For now, i have chosen to limit my analysis to a brief discussion of the films. There was a point in time where i would watch this movie multiple times a. Kate winslet, it could open up a window for manipulating them. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind film studies essay. Eternal sunshine analysis directed by michel gondry and released in 2004, eternal sunshine of the spotless mind tells the story of a couple who only see the bad side of their relationship. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind does not follow haywards structure. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is the rarest of all films, a therapeutically liberating work of art. They are more than simple thoughts stored in the mind, as they shape the core of the self.
The ensemble cast includes jim carrey, kate winslet, kirsten dunst, mark ruffalo. So seize this opportunity and join in the conversation. Crushed, joel decided to undergo the same procedure. Both main characters, joel barish and clementine kruczynski, opt to have this procedure following a painful breakup each therein erasing the memory of the other. Ethics in eternal sunshine of the spotless mind blue ink. Specifically, eternal sunshine of a spotless mind offers a late postmodern view.
However, as he watches his memories of her fade away, he realises that he still loves her, and may be too late to correct his mistake. This movie, with its nonlinear structure and film changing deleted scenes, is the. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind essays are academic essays for citation. Joels attempts to interrupt the erasure midprocedure all from. Specifically, eternal sunshine of a spotless mind offers a late postmodern view of memory, which resists earlier postmodern tendencies of historicityneither toward fredric jameson s nostalgia films 5 nor toward any notion of the past as simply simulation.
With jim carrey, kate winslet, tom wilkinson, gerry robert byrne. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind summary and analysis of. An analysis of memory, relationships, and identity essay 1198 words 5 pages. Eternal sunshines title comes from a line in alexander popes poem, eloise to abelard, which mary svevo recites to howard during the memoryerasing procedure. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind summary gradesaver. The insight of eternal sunshine is that, at the end of the day, our memories are all we really. Apr, 2010 the third major mood conveyed by eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is that of panic and nervousness, with a hint of humor, which are all found in the scene baby joel. Michael gondrys eternal sunshine of the spotless mind 2004 is not your typical hollywood romcom. Charlie kauffmans marvelous screenplay revolves around joel jim carrey, a soloist stuck in the repetitive formula of everyday life till he meets the spontaneously carefree clementine kate winslet. An analysis of memory, relationships, and identity jeszenia mcguire elms college what was the worst thing that has ever happened to you. Devastated, joel contacts the inventor of lacuna, dr. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind 811 movie clip. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind and the morality of memory the film eternal sunshine of the spotless mind michel gondry, 2004 is one of those movies that people tend to either love or hate.
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is a 2004 american science fiction romantic drama film written by charlie kaufman and directed by michel gondry. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind shows us that memories arent files to be deleted. The memories are slowly erased while joel tries his best to resist the procedure and hide. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind 2004 tells the story of joel jim carey and clementine kate winslet.
What is the message of eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. It follows an estranged couple who have erased each other from their memories. Financial analysis of eternal sunshine of the spotless mind 2004 including budget, domestic and international box office gross, dvd and bluray sales reports, total earnings and profitability. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind summary and analysis. It is a philosophical film that engages in ethics through the use of narrative and characterisation. After a fight, clementine agreed to undergo a procedure to erase all the memories of her relationship with joel. The awesome relationship movie eternal sunshine of the spotless mind 2004 ends with a scene in which the two main characters are tempted to get back together but are not sure. In this analysis of the style and structure of eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. In over a decade since its release, i am yet to find many films that i. Gondry directs this film in a nonchronological order, in order to put us into the dismal mindset of the main character, joel. The man responds by saying okay and then the woman also says okay.
It was exciting that clementine hopped into the house through the window, and opened the door. As joel storms out of the book store, the memory shatters behind him. Eloisa to abelard by alexander pope poetry foundation. Eternal sunshine of a spotless mind freudian analysis fyi. Emotional memories have been shown to hold a privileged place in longterm memory 7, and that certainly seems to be the case in eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. The protagonist of eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, played by jim carrey, is a cautious and somewhat reserved man. Would a woman erasing the memory of a rape make her happier or would removing the. Joel chucks the cassette tape out the car window, and then his tears stop. The shooting script, charlie kaufman eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is a 2004 american romantic science fiction comedydrama film written by charlie kaufman and directed by michel gondry. Sep 01, 2016 it takes a certain type of film to do that, and for me it was eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. Each prayr accepted, and each wish resigned this passage comes well into a very long poem which i doubt the character mary would have memorized. Oct 10, 2016 its from a famous poem by alexander pope, eloisa to abelard, in which eloisa remembers the happiness of her early life and the troubles it descended to. With eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, writer charlie kaufman and director michel gondry have created a film whose entire purpose is to blur and fade, a selferasing tribute to the fragility.
The third major mood conveyed by eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is that of panic and nervousness, with a hint of humor, which are all found in the scene baby joel. What does the title eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. Nov 17, 2012 eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is the rarest of all films, a therapeutically liberating work of art. In this analysis of the style and structure of eternal sunshine of the spotless mind michel gondry, 2004, the following research question shall be addressed. The rat might still have had the conscious memory of the fearful experience, but it no longer had an emotional reaction to it. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind philosophers on. Beginning with a helpful introduction that places each essay in context, specially commissioned chapters examine the following topics.
The canonical state of eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is based in new york city, around a man joel barish jim carrey before valentines day. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind memory erase. How editing shapes story in eternal sunshine of the spotless. Why is the movie titled eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is one of the most widely discussed and thoughtprovoking films of recent years this is the first book to explore and address the philosophical aspects of eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. In eternal sunshine of a spotless mind, joel and clementine were lovers. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind 2004 full synopsis. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind 2004 plot summary. Both joel and clementine do in fact win at the end, implanting that. Both main characters, joel barish and clementine kruczynski, opt to have.
Dont tell us youre surprised, folksafter all, memories literally are the whole movie. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is one of the most widely discussed and thoughtprovoking films of recent years. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind themes shmoop. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind and the morality. The line claims that the simple vestal nun she was mustve had a much more simple, pleasa. It forces the mind to remember the thoughts it has put aside, pushed to the background, and subdued.
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind by christopher grau. It takes a certain type of film to do that, and for me it was eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. Maybe it is difficult to believe, but eternal sunshine of the spotless mind 2004 is a. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind takes place within the memories of joel.
Why is the movie titled eternal sunshine of the spotless. They choose to permanently erase their partners from their memories. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind by jean halstead. The important thing i took away from it is that eternal sunshine is a movie about love and its a movie that does it right. His eyes, upon opening, first gravitate to the bright light of the window, shown in. Similar movies like eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. Technical critique of eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. Jun 04, 2010 eternal sunshine of the spotless mind 2004 provides an insight into the dilemmas caused by a technology that can erase unwanted memories. The question and answer section for eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Dec 18, 2009 eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is my personal favorite movie of all time.
Joel is forced to deal with some difficult things inside of his own mind, but its not just in his memories that joel is afraid. Imagine a procedure whereby you could rid yourself of troubling memories. Hide it, my heart, within that close disguise, where mixd with gods, his lovd idea lies. Eternal sunshine of a spotless mind freudian analysis. Arnold schwarzenegger this speech broke the internet and most inspiring speech it changed my life.
Gondrys eternal sunshine of the spotless mind offers a great scope for philosophical discourse, particularly surrounding ethical questions regarding memory removal and ways of living. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind philosophers on film. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind characters gradesaver. Beginning with a helpful introduction that places each essay in context, specially commissioned chapters examine. Joel barish, heartbroken that his girlfriend underwent a procedure to erase him from her memory, decides to do the same. The whole process takes place when the subject is sleeping. Just because eternal sunshine of the spotless mind isnt a horror movie, that doesnt mean it isnt scary. Jun 16, 2011 eternal sunshine of the spotless mind movie clips. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is a movie that confronts an issue.
This is the basis for michel gondrys eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, where just such a procedure helps rid tormented souls of the memories of their lost loves. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind 2004 calls upon something personal within the viewer. Eternal acceptance of the present after seeing the play the valley written by joan macleaod, i begun to realize that there is a definite denial and avoidance theme taking place within all the relationships, but mostly a lack of acceptance for what is really taking place in each of their lives. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind is a realistic love story. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind essay 1167 words. Take your hr comms to the next level with prezi video. Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind 2004 provides an insight into the dilemmas caused by a technology that can erase unwanted memories. When their relationship turns sour, a couple undergoes a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories. Emotion provides an added dimension to our memories another set of variables that stan has to identify and wipe out in joels brain in order to eradicate a memory. Joel barish, heartbroken that his girlfriend clementine underwent a procedure to erase him from her memory, decides to do the same. This why it is important to build a system of trust between the psychoanalyst and the analysand. Illuminating beingmemory in eternal sunshine of the spotless mind.
79 1421 662 714 423 1362 1577 985 124 737 156 114 1465 231 1097 573 1477 860 1445 549 1530 1333 808 1378 92 1547 941 730 829 255 1406 925 1205 701 925 906