Saw it today and absolutely loved it. I’m curious, now that it’s out–what changes were made because of focus groups? Lots of changes are made between the first (and even late) drafts of a script and the final product that have nothing to do with focus groups. And where can I see that script?
I haven’t read the script, but I do know of one change:
The ending, where the shot of Joel and Clementine walking down the beach is looped repeatedly, was actually supposed to go over the entire end credits. Apparently, both Kaufman and some of the film’s producers disagreed with Director Michel Gondry’s visualization and the decision was made to just have the loop fade to white. Not sure which I would’ve prefered… one part of me is very glad of the somewhat more optimistic version actually used, but another part would’ve appreciated the ambiguity of the extended version.
General comments: Amazing film. Carrey and Winslet give the best performances I’ve seen for either actor, and the supporting cast is great as well. It was funny, sad, bittersweet, romantic, painful, and all the feelings in between, without ever resorting to cliche devices or stock characterizations (even the bit parts felt “real”). Highly, highly recommended, easily the best movie I’ve seen this year.
I can’t remember the last time I was so moved by a movie. Maybe American Beauty, but this might even surpass that.
drm, the scene you reference in your spoiler tag had me on the verge of tears. Had I been alone, I likely would have been bawling. Seriously, this movie was so touching, poignant, and bittersweet, and I think it’s Kaufman’s best screenplay by a wide margin, and I loved Malkovich and Adaptation.
It also really made me think of my ex-girlfriend, so much to the point that I just e-mailed her. It’s the first time I’ve tried communicating with her ever since I sent her a “go to hell” e-mail in October.
It got bounced back. Hopefully, her best friend, who I’m still in touch with, will give me her new address
I know I’m blathering about my personal life now, but I think that’s a testament to the movie’s power. I think many of us have thought about how we’d like to erase some memories, but now I’ve actually seen what that would be like, it terrified me. How much of an achievement is that: Making the viewer comprehend what the incomprehensible would be like. Incredible. Absolutely incredible.
I hope it’s not forgotten when they’re handing out nods for next year’s Oscars. Kaufman, Carrey and Winslet all deserve nods.
Also, I’d really like to date a girl like Clementine. Not sure if that makes me crazy or not. 
Definitely crazy, but you’re not alone.
The next time someone wants to make a movie based on PK Dick material, they need to get Kaufman to so the adaptation.
Saw it yesterday. Thought it was all right at first but it grows on you, so now I think it’s really, really good.
Another young talent whose work is featured in the film: the OST composer Jon Brion. The list of his work (mostly collaborations with other musicians as musician, producer, arranger, etc.) is just mindblowing.
I haven’t seen it yet, but I found a cut-out of the soundtrack in a used bin for four bucks, yi-booey! Twenty-six tracks in all, of which 17 are Brion originals. The remaining tracks include ELO’s “Mr. Blue Sky,” The Polyphonic Spree’s “Light & Day,” and Beck’s “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometimes”.
This movie is just coming out now, and it’s going to be a monster hit with both the public and the critics. So how does the soundtrack already get relegated to cut-out status? Honest to God, I don’t understand how retail is supposed to work… 
I was on the edge of seat during this scene with my hands gripping the arm rests and everything. I just cant stop thinking about it, I’m totally seeing it again.
I agree, this one is better than the other two.
I can’t wait to see it again, (friend has free passes). 
There were things that I didn’t like about the movie, but I guess I expected that, after reading the old script. Actually I’ve come to expect it with films that are this original, (less to learn, build, or borrow from). It’s so refreshing to see something different, I really don’t care about the things I didn’t exactly love about it.
The acting was great. All of the actors fit pretty in their roles pretty snugly. Even David Cross, playing a minor character, was a perfect choice! I’ve never seen a movie with Ruffalo in it, but I plan to start. He was great.
It was pretty honest regarding certain relationships some people have. I know of men who ARE Joel, with women JUST LIKE Clementine, (give or take a few minor details). The style was wonderful, very trippy. It succeeded in being both funny and sad. Just a great movie!
This film is probably going to be in my top 3 movies, this year. Definitely a contender for #1.
If Charlie Kaufman is anything like his character in Adaptation, then HE is Joel. It seems every movie he writes has a character with a lot of those attributes; I wouldn’t be surprised if he writes himself into every one of his movies.
(I’m Joel, too.)
Just saw it a few hours ago and really liked it. Jim Carrey has developed so much as an actor, with great range and depth. Even his voice and tone sounded different. I’ve admired Mark Ruffalo since You can Count on me, and the others were great as well.
It was unpredictable, challenging, and intelligent. How refreshing to find these elements in a movie these days.
Cool soundtrack.
“Pope Alexander”—I love it!
“My crotch is still here!”
I saw it last night and thought it dragged on way to much although I enjoyed the last half an hour.
Just saw it, liked it as much as Malkovitch, and that’s one of my favorite movies ever. I just loved the way it was done, there was so much to look at and consider in each scene. I’d have liked it better without the screaming four year old directly in front of me, but he and his parents buggered off about 40 minutes in.
I saw it yesterday afternoon. I liked it pretty ok, although I think it grew on me a little after seeing it. Liked it a hell of a lot better than Adaptation, which I thought was just dumb (and yes, I get it).
It helps that she was played by Kate Winslet, the sexiest human alive.
Agreed! That was such a great film!
Also loved Eternal Sunshine… - reminded me so much of my own experience. I also love the whole time/memory theme. Great stuff. Will definitely own this one.
Anyone seen Human Nature? (I haven’t seen it, I’m just asking as it’s another Charlie Kaufman film that no one seems to have mentioned… unless I missed it)
Logan.
Never heard of this film until just now, but watching the trailer and the film clips, I have to see this film! Yookeroo, the first thing I thought of was, “Man, this looks like a PKD story!”
Oh, and there’s more clips on-line that you can see (if you’re like me and don’t mind spoilers and such). Following Foots link, I discovered that they’ve got a couple of clips available, then I noticed that the link to the clips was like this: http://www.focusfeatures.com/clips/eternal_sunshine/EternalClip_05-480x270.mov
See the 05 in the addy? You can change it to see other clips (note, I’ve got a cable modem and QT, and you’ll need that if you want any hope of watching the clip that link goes to).
Does anyone have any idea how well the movie’s doing? Or is it too early to tell?
Never Mind. From EW:
*Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet’s critically praised ‘‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’’ premiered in sixth place with $8.6 million, an impressive figure given the film’s 1,353 theater count (less than half of ‘‘Dawn of the Dead’s’’ tally). Still, those zombies boasted the highest per-theater average of the top 10, at almost $10,000 per movie house.
*
According to IMDB Charts, $8.6 million in the first weekend, placing it 6th. Given that this is a quirky movie, and almost everyone (except perhaps the parents of the shrieking 4 year old sitting in front of me) knows that this isn’t a “regular” Jim Carrey movie and that it is kind of obtuse, I would say that that is pretty good.
My favorite scene:
In the bookstore, talking near the end. The titles on the books gradually disappear. At first you can barely notice. Then more quickly, then the whole bookstore, then Clem fades away. First the frivolous details, that which is not imparted strongly on the memory, fade, followed by everything, leaving only the core to dissolve the last.