Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind

Yesterday wanted to rent two specific movies.  Instead what I came away with was the first season of "The Office" (I had never seen those episodes) and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind." 

First, "The Office."  I love that show.  The end. :)

Now the second rental.  So this movie is weird.  I'm trying to remember when I saw it - and I just don't remember.  They mention 2004 in it a couple of times, but I can't remember who I saw it with.  In fact, the only thing I really remembered was the basic plot of the movie...that a girl and a guy decide that they're in so much pain over their relationship that they erase each other from their memories. 

It's a great movie in the sense of what it tries to do - artistically speaking.  And it's such a strange concept that I really liked the movie.  Kinda' like "Adaptation," also written by Charlie Kauffman.  At one point in the movie, Jim Carrey's character, Joel, is remembering all the scenes of his relationship with Kate Winslet's character, Clementine.  This particular memory is a sweet memory.  And he's screaming out loud, "Please let me keep this memory.  Just this one."  Of course, it is erased.

WARNING: do not read this next paragraph if you want to watch the movie and be surprised at the end.  What I do like about the movie is how it depicts at the end that basic attraction is just that - something undeniable that can happen in any situation.  I like that at the end of the movie they meet again and decide that they are excited about each other all over again.  I like that they make their memories again.  Maybe not the same ones, but they make memories.

It *is* a weird movie.  That I'll grant you.  But it gives me hope that the poor choices I might have made or might be making may not change or significantly alter the course of my life.  That the job that I do or do not get offered won't dramatically change who I am at the core - or, if there is such a thing, who I am meant to be with.  It smudges the idea of finality.  And I like that concept. :)

I'm usually a pretty logical person.  But I like movies that allow me to dream and to hope.

(sigh)

Clementine: Too many guys think I'm a concept, or I complete them, or I'm gonna' make them alive.  But I'm just a fucked up girl who's looking for my own peace of mind; don't assign me yours.