Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Subject: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Peter T.
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 08:27 AM

Not often you have a movie title from Alexander Pope.

A very beautiful, very sad film.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: SueB
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 02:29 PM

Do you think you could elaborate on this a little bit, please?

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 02:29 PM

Sad???

I thought it was a wonderful love story for the new millennium!

Sorta "When Harry Met Sally" meets "Memento"

I might even buy the DVD when it comes out....

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Amos
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 02:49 PM

Alexander Pope's poem "Eloise and Abelard" includes this stanza:

How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!
The world forgetting, by the world forgot.
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!
Each pray'r accepted, and each wish resign'd;
Labour and rest, that equal periods keep;
"Obedient slumbers that can wake and weep;"
Desires compos'd, affections ever ev'n,
Tears that delight, and sighs that waft to Heav'n.
Grace shines around her with serenest beams,
And whisp'ring angels prompt her golden dreams.


The source of the quote -- a lengthy work -- can be found on this page.

Thanks, Peter -- you always broaden my wrinkled horizons! :>)

A

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Peter T.
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 03:46 PM

Sorry Sue, it is a movie that has been out for a week or two in North America, starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet.

I found it very sad -- how easy to throw away love, how mortal we are. I suppose other people might find it uplifting.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 05 Apr 04 - 03:49 PM

I think one of the points of the movie is that love ISN'T easy to throw away... even when we think it might be!

:-)

And well, how mortal??   That's just a reminder to live each day to the fullest... (he says sitting alone in the house in front of his computer... heh)

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: SueB
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 09:22 AM

I cannot get my brain around the idea of an uplifting movie with Jim Carrey in it. This does not compute. Normally to get me to watch a movie with Jim Carrey you'd have to give me twenty dollars and get me drunk.

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 09:42 AM

Then you don't -GET- Jim Carry, or acting obviously...

I mean, sure when he was young he was just another goof-off clown, but to deny that he's become a very accomplished actor in his own right, make me wonder how many if any Jim Carry movies you've seen....

If ya don't like him, fine... But don't try to make that equate to him not being good at what he does...

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Little Hawk
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 10:08 AM

Got to agree with Clinton on this one. Jim Carrey has played some very good roles...on the rare occasions when Hollywood gave him a script that permitted him to. I think you have missed those movies, SueB, that's all. The problem isn't Jim Carrey, it's Hollywood's desire to make big bucks spitting out a trashy formula, over and over again, as long as it sells tickets. Now and then Carrey escapes the formula.

- LH

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Peter T.
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 11:10 AM

Well, let us not get carried away -- Jim is in this to make a ton of money, he is just following the formula -- do something to make big bucks, then do an art picture.

He is pretty good in the film, a bit too wan -- I see in an interview that the director was worried that he might underplay it too much, which was a pretty good worry. Kate Winslet is completely amazing.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 06 Apr 04 - 11:59 AM

"Jim is in this to make a ton of money"

Isn't everybody?

Yes!

And anybody who says differently is LYING!

Of course actors are in it to make money... Does that mean they can't also be doing it becasue they like to act???? No....

When asked about some of his movies, Michael Caine said "Hey... sometimes you do a picture because you really want to (I thought "Cider House Rules"), and sometimes you make a movie because it's a good paycheque (Think "Austin Powers Goldmember")..."

Is HE to be faulted?

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: SueB
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 01:01 AM

Sorry, Clinton dear, I didn't know you and Jim Carrey were buds. I've seen parts of the following movies with Carrey, every one of
which were absolutely atrocious:

The Grinch
Liar, Liar
Me, Myself and Irene
Bruce Almighty
Mask
Ace Ventura, Pet Detective (wasn't there a sequel? *shudder*)
Batman Forever
Dumb and Dumber
Cable Guy
Earth Girls Are Easy

The Truman Show and Mr. Majestic didn't totally suck, but neither would be on my Top Forty. I liked Andy Kaufman way too much to appreciate Carrey's rendering of him in Man on the Moon, although I recognize that it was an effort at a 'serious' role.

So what good roles has he had that I've missed? I'm always willing to give an actor I don't like another chance, especially on the recommendation of a denizen of the Mudcat. If you all say he's good in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I'll even go out of my way to see it.

Hell, even Tom Cruise managed to be sort of good in Rainman.

Anyway, Clinton, I DID just say I don't like him, and I DIDN'T comment on whether he was good or not. Take a chill pill, why don't you?

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: SueB
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 02:04 AM

Typo above, that should have been The Majestic, not Mr. Majestic.

I thought I'd see what The New Yorker film critic had to say about
Eternal Sunshine. Here's a quote: "Carrey's latest effort to elude, or at least refine, his looney persona is more sincere than it is convincing, and it is left to Winslet, at once fierce and footloose, to carry the show."

I'm still going to see it, it does sound very interesting, but at least if I find that I'm not bowled over by Carrey's performance, I know that there's at least one other person out there who doesn't GET Jim Carrey, so I don't have to feel alone in that respect. Thank heavens. I'd hate to be out on a limb on this one.

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Peter T.
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 08:32 AM

Actually, he isn't bad, there is something just a bit underwritten perhaps in his character -- I think it may be because the author is that character, and assumes that we will automatically understand (a common failing of male introverts).

(I wasn't failing Jim Carrey for being in it for the bucks, I was stating it as an obvious fact).

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Strollin' Johnny
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 08:42 AM

You're not alone SueB, I don't like Jim Carrey either. On the other hand Mrs. Johnny loves him. She goes to the cinema with friends to see his films, and I stay home and watch old 1940's B&W films with the likes of Jack Hawkins, Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis in them. We're both happy.

One man's meat, etc.....................

Johnny :0)

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 12:25 PM

"I liked Andy Kaufman way too much to appreciate Carrey's rendering of him"

Andy Kaufman... now that was a waste of skin!

And well, I think Carrey NAILED him in that performance...

And I can't WAIT to see Carrey in both 2005s The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty, and The Six Million Dollar Man!

Different strokes eh....

:-)

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 12:34 PM

Just a question of personal taste then, Sue...I can understand that.

I rather liked "Bruce Almighty" and "The Truman Show" and "Man In The Moon". I wouldn't sit through "Dumb And Dumber" if you paid me to. I saw Jim Carrey do a stand-up comedian show at Harbourfront in Toronto in the early 80's, a couple of years before he became very famous. It was just utterly incredible...the most outstanding comic tour de force I have ever seen in my life. It was far better than any oh his movies, with far more variety. I thought at the time, "this guy is going to be VERY famous". Two years later he was.

The movies have not shown half of what he can do, with the possible exception of "Man In The Moon".

- LH

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 07 Apr 04 - 12:55 PM

"Two years later he was"

The cream does rise eh....

:-)

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Amos
Date: 09 May 04 - 05:28 PM

This movie,which I just got to see last night, is a piece of craftsmanship and aesthetic subtlety of the first order. I highly recommend it.

I am still grinning over some of the subtle stitches that hold it together.


A

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Cuilionn
Date: 09 May 04 - 10:47 PM

Aye that-- the anely way ma freends gaet me tae see this film wis that they tuik tent NAE tae tell me that Carrey wis in it. (Ah'm a pop-culture-eschewin Luddite, sae the secret wis safe frae me!) Ah cannae stand the gallus gowk maist o the time, but this film wis pure deid brilliant. Rilly. Dare Ah say... Ah'll ne'er forgaet it?!?

--Cuilionn

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: M.Ted
Date: 10 May 04 - 10:59 PM

I just saw the film(and I hardly ever get out to see anything anymore), and I loved it. It seemed a lot like a Philip K. Dick story, though I've forgotten which one--

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Amos
Date: 10 May 04 - 11:43 PM

Delighted to hear it MT -- I have always enjoyed your opinion on things. It seems reminiscent of Dick, yes; but it is new talent.

A

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Fibula Mattock
Date: 26 May 04 - 05:13 PM

just saw this tonight. Great film, and I'm not a Jim Carrey fan, but I thought he was good in this - a little too similar to some of my ex-boyfriends. Nice movie.

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: GUEST,SueB
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 05:42 PM

*****JUST MY OPINION JUST MY OPINION JUST MY OPINION JUST MY OPINION*****
Okay, it finally came around on Dish Network Pay-per-View, so I finally saw this one. I think I'm just a snob, or something, because the best word to describe my reaction is "underwhelmed."
That may have been in part due to the glowing reviews some have given it - my expectations were too high. I did think Kate Winslet was very good, and with another leading man and a slightly less hamhanded handling of the story it could have been a *great* film. It seems like these days directors think we must be led by the nose through the story, and every small aspect must be made blindingly obvious or we'll miss it.   The "hit them over the head with it" approach doesn't allow for much subtlety or finesse.
*****YES I KNOW IM AN IDIOT JUST MY OPINION YES I KNOW I'M AN IDIOT*****

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: *Laura*
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 05:49 PM

I din't like this film. But it wasn't bad - just not my kind of film.

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: PoppaGator
Date: 20 Nov 04 - 06:06 PM

I saw the film when it was in the theaters this spring and enjoyed it. I also like Jim Carrey in some of his films but not others.

Seeing this thread today, I don't remember the movie at all. If it had been truly great, I'd remember *something,* old-timer's syndrome or not.

Guess it must have been good-but-not-great. I'll give it another look now once it comes to cable TV.

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 12:02 PM

Just saw the film on DVD this week, and I'm on the underwhelmed side. I too thought Kate Winslet was very good, but the writing and Carrey just didn't cut it for me. I saw the film not because of Winslet or Carrey, but because it was written by Charlie Kaufman, and because I really enjoyed 'Adaptation'.

I put down my not liking the film much (I didn't hate it, I just didn't enjoy it that much) to Kaufman's writing in this case, more than Carrey's performance. But then, I wasn't impressed with the writing in 'Being John Malkovich' for the same reason SueB mentions: it was hamhanded, over-the-top writing. Now, before everyone comes howling at me for saying I don't appreciate Charlie Kaufman's brilliance, just wait, just wait...

I adored 'Adaptation'. Charlie Kaufman is to scriptwriting sort of what Jim Carrey is to acting, IMO. Both of them over-perform and overwhelm, and rarely deliver a great performance. I'm not a Nick Cage fan either, but I really loved 'Adaptation'--despite not liking the male lead in the film. But that was because Chris Cooper was so delicious in the film. I enjoyed his character more than any of the others, although I loved Streep in it as well. She did the NY writer bit brilliantly--not as a caricature, even though her part seemed to have been written very nastily that way by Kaufman. She got a lot more out of the character than Kaufman put into, which to me is the mark of a great actor. Same for Chris Cooper's character in the film.

As to Jim Carrey, well. I don't know or understand what it is about him as an actor that results in the rather cultish devotion to him some people have. I was in a video store once, talking to the guy at the counter about films he would recommend, and he offered a similar response to what Clinton gave above, ie that Carrey is a great actor, and that I don't appreciate the craft of acting if I don't like him.

I've been dragged into too many Jim Carrey and Nicolas Cage films that absolutely sucked. Both men tragically over-act in most everything they've ever done. In some films, that is what the role calls for, like Cage's part in 'Moonstruck' or Carrey's part in the 'Batman' film. But I've never been truly impressed with either of those two actors. Even Cage's role in 'Moonstruck' wasn't that notable. Cher was about equal with Cage in that film, but it was the older generation actors I was impressed by in that film, especially Olympia Dukakis.

(Insert usual qualifications about IMO here, please).

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: Peg
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 01:48 PM

I loved this film. Carrey was fine, much more subdued than expected, although there are a couple of Carrey-esque moments...
It was nice to see this actor stretch himself a bit (ditto for Adam Sandler in Punch-drunk Love), but..I wonder how much better this film might have been with a more thoughtful actor playing this role?? John Cusack, perhaps? or Mark Ruffalo, who played a smaller, rather thankless role? Kevin Bacon?

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: GUEST,SueB
Date: 21 Nov 04 - 02:15 PM

I had that thought, too, Peg, wondering what if Mark Ruffalo had played the lead instead.

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: moocowpoo
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 10:50 AM

I thought the thread of this film was so beautiful, I forgot to look for any holes in it's execution.
moo

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: GUEST,heric
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 11:19 AM

A solid three stars for this film. Subtle, poignant concept delivered without subtlety, possibly for mass market appeal. Adaptation and Mark Ruffalo comments above were exactly what went through my mind while watching, but I couldn't blame Jim Carrey for that. He was a yoeman.

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: GUEST,heric
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 11:25 AM

Or even a yeoman.

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 11:31 AM

Or even Yo! Dude!

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: GUEST,heric
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 11:37 AM

Ya yokel

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 01:19 PM

Ya ya, it was yust a yoke.

Subject: RE: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 22 Nov 04 - 05:19 PM

I'm still depressed tha Jim lost the election.