Just rewatched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

[OneOfTheseDays]

So I rewatched this movie tonight with a girl I am currently dating. We got into a debate about what this movie is really about. She seems to think the movie presents an uplifting idea about love, namely that it transcends everything else. That even though these people (Jim Carey and Kate Winslet) went through a rollercoaster of emotions they were willing to do it all over again because they were so in love with each other.

I now believe the movie presents of criticism of love itself. That it can make people who believe they are madly in love with each other repeat the same mistakes over and over. In the end, love sometimes isn't enough to make a relationship work. Clearly the two main characters of the story love each other, but ultimately they aren't good for each other. Anyways, I think Kaufmann did not intend for you to come away from this movie thinking how love is the end-all solution to relationship problems (i.e. if you are truly in love with someone it will always work).

Your thoughts?

 

[nageov3t]

Originally posted by: Sudheer Anne

Your thoughts?

Jim Carey should have stuck with fire marshal bill

 

[spidey07]

Both theories are possible.

But you won't be seeing her again. Pessismim isn't a good quality in a potential mate. Most likely she'll take your comments and position as "what a downer."

Bad mojo.

You essentially took the good feelings she was having and squashed them. Don't repeat this again.

 

[apac]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Both theories are possible.

But you won't be seeing her again. Pessismim isn't a good quality in a potential mate. Most likely she'll take your comments and position as "what a downer."

Bad mojo.

You essentially took the good feelings she was having and squashed them. Don't repeat this again.

lol, possibly if the girl isn't the artsy type. I know a lot of english/film majors that love to interpret stuff, regardless of whether it presents a good or bad vibe.

 

[eits]

i agree with the 2nd theory. that's what i got out of it when i watched it... that's why it depressed me.

 

[nutxo]

The movie is actually very good and makes complete sense. You just forgot to drop acid first.

 

[Special K]

While the ending was somewhat open to interpretation, I kind of got the impression that they probably weren't going to succeed the second time either.

Great movie BTW:thumbsup:

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

The girl you are dating is right. The girl you are dating is always right. Till the day you die.

 

[BrownTown]

All I can say is that the chick in the movie was way to crazy to be worth all the work.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Both theories are possible.

But you won't be seeing her again. Pessismim isn't a good quality in a potential mate. Most likely she'll take your comments and position as "what a downer."

Bad mojo.

You essentially took the good feelings she was having and squashed them. Don't repeat this again.

Keeereckt! don't ever watch a movie with 'socially redeeming qualities' with a date. I think you're both thinking too hard about it. I got Clem and Joel were never meant to be together out of it.

P.S. If you're really into self abuse, take her to a live performance of the Vagina Monologues.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Both theories are possible.

But you won't be seeing her again. Pessismim isn't a good quality in a potential mate. Most likely she'll take your comments and position as "what a downer."

Bad mojo.

You essentially took the good feelings she was having and squashed them. Don't repeat this again.

If you can't even express a differing opinion of a movie without getting into trouble, then perhaps she isn't worth the effort.

 

[WHAMPOM]

This was a chore to watch. It was my wish that the characters have a few more memories erased.

 

[ballmode]

I didn't like it...

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Sudheer Anne
So I rewatched this movie tonight with a girl I am currently dating. We got into a debate about what this movie is really about. She seems to think the movie presents an uplifting idea about love, namely that it transcends everything else. That even though these people (Jim Carey and Kate Winslet) went through a rollercoaster of emotions they were willing to do it all over again because they were so in love with each other.

I now believe the movie presents of criticism of love itself. That it can make people who believe they are madly in love with each other repeat the same mistakes over and over. In the end, love sometimes isn't enough to make a relationship work. Clearly the two main characters of the story love each other, but ultimately they aren't good for each other. Anyways, I think Kaufmann did not intend for you to come away from this movie thinking how love is the end-all solution to relationship problems (i.e. if you are truly in love with someone it will always work).

Your thoughts?

I think the theme is somewhere in between what you each think.

Their relationship is a metaphor for relationships where there's a huge hurdle in the way such as very different personalities, family differences, and such.

The underlying question is, if you knew that your relationship had no chance of lasting forever, would you still do it?

FWIW, I really liked the movie...I'm a huge fan of the beautiful and tragic

 

[ric1287]

whatever its about, its quite depressing. And thats why I love it.

 

[Jeff7]

I got the idea that they went into it the second time knowing full well it probably would fail. I think the point that was being made was that they would still try to enjoy it while they lasted, kind of one of those "It's not the destination that's important, it's the journey," dealies.

 

[johnjohn320]

This is my favorite movie. Yes, my favorite.

I've always viewed the overall message as being: we love who we love, it's not really up to us. There may be problems of circumstance, timing, conflict, etc. But we'll go head first into a relationship, even knowing we might get hurt, because we just can't help ourselves, we can't help our feelings.

That, and simply put, it's a love story in reverse. They start at the end when they're miserable, fighting, etc, and then back up all the way to the beginning, to the first initial infatuation/curiosity. We see an unhappy ending to a serious relationship, and trace backwards, seeing how they ended up this way.

I guess I can't explain it, but this movie just really got to me. Amazing acting, too. I've noticed though, that people who've gone through a nasty breakup at some point in their lives always seem to appreciate this movie more than those who haven't. (not making assumptions about any posters here, just my observation in general).

 

[CptObvious]

I saw this in the theater when it came out, and I could identify with Joel's character well(interestingly, I felt the same way after watching The Truman Show). There's always that tendency to idealize someone you just met but reality sets in as time goes on. In retrospect, seeing the movie a few years later, I think both of the characters will not be in stable relationships until they grow up more. Joel thinks a woman is the solution to all his problems, and Clementine acts on her whims and doesn't know what she wants.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Jeff7
I got the idea that they went into it the second time knowing full well it probably would fail. I think the point that was being made was that they would still try to enjoy it while they lasted, kind of one of those "It's not the destination that's important, it's the journey," dealies.

Yeah...Pretty much what I was getting at...I'm pretty crappy at expressing myself though

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: Jeff7
I got the idea that they went into it the second time knowing full well it probably would fail. I think the point that was being made was that they would still try to enjoy it while they lasted, kind of one of those "It's not the destination that's important, it's the journey," dealies.

Yeah...Pretty much what I was getting at...I'm pretty crappy at expressing myself though

The problem with this line of thought is that you are wasting your time with someone who isn't right for you. You could have spent that time with someone else who is actually a good fit for you. But then again, your right that the journey itself is also important. Even if it doesn't work out, the memories are what counts in the end. We all die alone.

And I just found the original script for the movie.....the real ending is quite interesting (I can see why they changed it for the movie). I believe Clem is an old lady and going back to the memory erasing place saying she wants the procedure done again (for Joel). They basically keep erasing each other from their memories and then meeting again. The same outcome each time.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Sudheer Anne

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: Jeff7
I got the idea that they went into it the second time knowing full well it probably would fail. I think the point that was being made was that they would still try to enjoy it while they lasted, kind of one of those "It's not the destination that's important, it's the journey," dealies.

Yeah...Pretty much what I was getting at...I'm pretty crappy at expressing myself though

The problem with this line of thought is that you are wasting your time with someone who isn't right for you. You could have spent that time with someone else who is actually a good fit for you. But then again, your right that the journey itself is also important. Even if it doesn't work out, the memories are what counts in the end. We all die alone.

And I just found the original script for the movie.....the real ending is quite interesting (I can see why they changed it for the movie). I believe Clem is an old lady and going back to the memory erasing place saying she wants the procedure done again (for Joel). They basically keep erasing each other from their memories and then meeting again. The same outcome each time.

Wow, didn't know that and I think I like the theater version better. I love the mystery of guessing what's going to happen to the two of them this next time around.

 

[n7]

Finally saw this movie.

So good, as it's so true, regardless of how you interpret it.

Of course, it made me sad, since it reminded me of my ex.

Then again, i love movies that make you think or can make you sad.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by: nutxo
The movie is actually very good and makes complete sense. You just forgot to drop acid first.

Yeah, this movie definitely would have been better stoned.