Cinema Consults: ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND

This film, which can be rentedfrom your local video store, israted on a scale of 1 to 4 caducei:

Eternal Sunshine of

the Spotless Mind

ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THESPOTLESSMIND (2004):We've all beenthrough momentswhen we wish wecould forget something,some time,or someone. Butwould the sacrificeof memories—good or bad—beworth it? This is the question thatsparks the plot of . Directed byMichel Godry, this film takes us intothe mind of Joel Barish (Jim Carrey)as he elects to erase the memories ofhis turbulent relationship withClementine Kruczynski (Kate Winslet)almost as a retaliation of herdoing the same. In keeping with thissubconscious backdrop, the moviehas a very dreamlike, nonlinear qualitythat is disjointed and illogical, butvery real. Jim Carrey does a great jobcreating believability amid this chaos.Kate Winslet contributes to thewhimsy of the story by crafting avery free-spirited character thatseems to fit perfectly in a collage offree-flowing memories. The supportingcast, including Tom Wilkinson,who never disappoints, and KirstinDunst contribute to a very compellingsubplot that gives the movie asinister depth. Although the twistsand turns of the plot may be confusing,once you get into the rhythm ofthe storyline, the film provides acompelling cinematic journey.

Rating: 3.5

Lisa A. Tomaszewski, managing editor

of Physician's Money Digest, is currently

working on her PhD in literature at

Drew University in New Jersey. She is

an avid fan of film and has taught a

summer film course at Fairleigh

Dickinson University. She welcomes

questions, comments, or suggestions for

future film reviews at 732-656-1140

ext 195 or ltomaszewski@mwc.com.