I recently re-watched "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is a movie that was released in 2004, and was directed by Michel Gondry, screenplay by Charlie Kaufman. The follows the story of a couple, Joel Barrish and Clementine Kruczynski.
SPOILERS
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The movie centers on the breakup of the two and the aftermath of it. It is revealed that Clementine has her memories of Joel erased from her mind through this clinic called Lacuna Inc. As a result, in a somewhat fit of rage and pettiness, Joel elects to undergo the same procedure.
The inherent beauty of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind rests in how it reaches the core of relationships in the realm of reality. While undergoing the procedure, Joel re-experiences deep and positive memories that were buried underneath the heaps of bad memories at the surface. As a result, he tries to fight against the memory erasers, trying to preserve as many memories of Clementine as he can.
Oftentimes in life, we dwell on the bad memories, especially when it comes to breakups, failed relationships. Our first inclination is to label the entire history of the relationship as a failure, as something negative. However, this works to discount and invalidate the experience as something more complex and deeper. Like anything in life, there will be those highs and lows.
That was definitely a sentiment that I experienced while watching the film. A sentiment to just really appreciate the little moments that we experience, whether it be in a romantic relationship or one more platonic.
One of the most powerful scenes of the film for a lot of people who have watched the movie, definitely for me, is the scene where he is in one of the first memories he has of Clementine, around when they first met. The walls around the house start breaking apart, signifying that the last pieces of Clementine he has in his mind are literally withering away. The scene ends with her saying goodbye to him and him saying he loves her, which he has not said in the movie previously. The last words she says to him are "Meet me in Montauk." These words give me chills every single time I hear them.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a beautiful movie that perfectly encapsulates the complexity and beauty of love and heartbreak. We do not always get the fairy tale stories we always dream about. There will be times where one absolutely hates the other and you will probably break up and resent each other. There is always the risk of this happening in relationships and you might feel that all the time you spent with that person was a waste.
But it was not and is not what you should be focusing on. Perhaps the biggest lesson to take from this film is to appreciate the journey even if the outcome may feel fruitless. The moments of love and hate are still beautiful and act as a way to grow and become a better person. Also, in regards to the movie, you can try to forget and "erase" the bad memories, the emotions you felt, whether good or bad, will always remain. The emotions you felt resonate in the heart.
I definitely recommend anyone to watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Watching this movie has definitely opened my eyes to how I see things in my everyday life and to just learn to appreciate the little moments and blessings that I have.
I hope that this movie can make you all feel the same way too.