Review: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

"Random thoughts for Valentine's day, 2004. Today is a holiday invented by greeting card companies to make people feel like crap."

I watched this movie three times already I think. Why? Because it's so bloody jiwang, emo and makes you feel like, well, crap.

Basically the plot revolves around Joel Barish, played by Jim Carrey. He meets a girl, Clementine, and they became involved in a relationship that well, ended in a break up. Typical, you say? That's what I thought at first.

You see, the movie starts with Joel waking up. He somehow got impulsive and took a train to Montauk. There he meets Clementine. Little did he know they met before. Actually they were lovers before the start. So technically, they broke up and met as strangers. Confused now?

Cause you think, heck, how could that be, right?

Well, apparently not so. They were lovers. Yet Clementine got bored of Joel and went to this company, Lacuna Inc, to have her memory of Joel erased. So Joel got wind of this weird company and he hired them to have his memory of Clementine erased too. What's so interesting about this movie is how Joel eventually realises he loves Clementine very much and half the movie shows how he's INSIDE his own mind, trying to save his memories from being erased. Yet somehow, he can't stop it, so everything went POOF! It was a heart-wrenching and touching twist to the plot.

Still confused? I suggest you get the movie yourself and watch it.

The first time I watched it, I struggled to comprehend what's happening. The plot unfolds quite quickly and the pace at which everything runs is smooth, flawless and yet makes you breathless and say, " What? Wait wait what's happening? Hey how come he - wait, stop! Rewind! Yes, and then? HUH??! WHY? Hey hey, stop, rewind! Wait, he's there right? And then why -- hey what happened?? " yeap. Don't worry though, eventually you'll get it.

The story is very original and one of a kind. Not your average love flick or Jane-meets-John sorta movie. What's more, the whole thing was filmed with a hand-held camera, minus all the big budget huge cameras from Hollywood. So it kinda creates a very creative, surreal and somehow familiar experience for the audience. One would just sit back, relax, try not to think too much and then the story will grab you inside, suck you in like a whirlpool and make everything feel fake, surreal, and in the movie's case, ERASE-able.

In the end, you get a warm feeling inside. And you proclaim " LOVE CONQUERS ALL!! " .. so not. Why? Cause everybody makes mistakes. What's nice about this movie is that the main protagonist gets a second chance. I love the part when he finally gives up trying to stop the inevitable and enjoy the last moments he'll ever have with his love.

Hard to properly describe. You have to watch it. For the total jiwang experience and unforgettable quotes. For example, eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. From Alexander Pope.

Rating: 9/10

p.s. for those of you who wanna get a taste of what the movie is all about, go here. http://www.lacunainc.com/

There's no love.. or there is?

Basic Principles - no woman wakes up saying "God, I hope I don't get swept off my feet today!"

The movie's opening line. Lol, I just watched this movie. What movie? Oh, Hitch. It was out ages ago but I didn't watch it because I brushed it off, thinking it was just another comedy. I had a chance to buy the DVD version and this afternoon I watched it out of sheer boredom and procrastination when in fact I should be studying Sejarah. Phew. 6 more days to SPM and I'm slacking off. XP

Anyway, Hitch is about well, Hitch. He's the greatest matchmaker , albeit working secretly, in the Big Apple. Then comes along Albert Brennaman, walking and talking disaster. He's a tax consultant who works for Allegra, a celebrity of some sort. See, he got this huge crush on Allegra and he turns to Hitch for help. As usual, Hitch delivers as promised, professionally. Then comes Sara, beautiful journalist, sorta, who got Hitch's attention. Yet, it all went ugly when Sara found out what Hitch does for a living. One thing leads to another, and well, it was a good movie. Did they get together? Find out yourself. =)

The plot was interesting enough. The humour? Good. Not great, but just enough to make you snigger and chuckle, even if you're alone watching it. I just like the way the movie slips in bits of interesting messages. In the end, one feels enlightened after watching it. As if your eyes are suddenly opened. You suddenly realised love is not something that can be planned and created out of will. It just happens.

Conclusion? Good movie. Light-hearted, fast and not too windy plot. Great for weekends.

Rating: 7.5/10