1. Top Gun
Imagine being able to erase any past girlfriends or boyfriends from your mind? What if you could get rid of that loved one that broke your heart or block out the pain that breaking up can bring? And cue titles for…Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind.
Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet play confused loved ones in this odd quirky love story that flits between Charlie Kaufman’s previous two movies Being John Malkovich and Adaptation for inspirational unique writing and like something you have never experienced before.
You must excuse this reviewer if he comes across as vague it is just that the film is still affecting me long after I left the screening. As with his previous work Kaufman sends you off on tangents and leads you down the wrong road on many occasions. One word far from the truth is predictable because this is one thing it isn’t!
The Lacuna Inc. is the company run by Dr Howard Mierzwack (Tom Wilkinson) who has removed the memory of Clementine (Winslet) from the brain of Joel Barish (Carrey) but when Joel keeps getting Deja Vue and the odd thought of Clementine back in his mind he begins to investigate this weird little company and its staff.
Director Michel Gondry has created an interesting journey for the viewer to take as he invites you into this bizarre world he and Kaufman have created. Gondry famous for his music videos of such artists as The Chemical Brothers and Bjork plays with the big screen as an expressionist plays with a canvas, he doesn’t conform or stick to a formula at all and this may annoy some people.
The jury is still out for me as I am not convinced the film works on all levels, Yes the acting is fine and the ensemble are all solid but the film lacks a middle section. You are held throughout but are left a little deflated around the halfway mark, this may be due to the inexperience of the director or the fact that the story was hard to pad out in the second act. Perhaps another viewing is the answer for me.
The cinematography and style of the film is wonderful with honest lighting and a realistic look to the stock that gives the whole production a good atmosphere, the use of music is fine but it is the invention of thought that is the star of the show. Gondry creates some dazzling camera work and Zemeckis like scenes that make you go “Eh?!”
One memorable section is a simple illusion of a mirrored street that sees Carrey running from end to end but bringing him back to where he started – marvellous!
To conclude I think ESOTSM is not a classic but it is certainly welcome into what sometimes becomes a stale film market. Obvious comparisons to Malkovich and Adaptation will be attached but it is again very different. The cast (which include Elijah Wood, Mark Ruffalo and Kirsten Dunst) make this a pretty special piece from an acting perspective that will bring in the crowds on opening weekend but I think the audience is a smaller one than you may expect. This is far more Truman Show or Man in the Moon than Bruce Almighty or Liar Liar so Carrey fans beware because you may well be painfully disappointed.
If you like your films to challenge the norm and push the boundaries of reality or simply prefer the odd to even than this for you. The fresh approach and unique style is quite special it is just the storytelling that lets it down a little…
Still recommended.
3.5 / 5
Truman meets Hunter S Thompson!!!
