Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

[Mediocre]

For some reason, I really want to see this movie.  Anyone know if it's any good?

[schild]

For some reason, I really want to see this movie.  Anyone know if it's any good?

http://www.f13.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=89

[koboshi]

For some reason, I really want to see this movie.  Anyone know if it's any good?

Yes, it's a must see. (Jesus Christ! I cant beleive I just said that)

I would suggest catching it in theaters if only for the subtleties in the surround sound.

[Zephyr]

Yeah I really enjoyed the movie.  Although I literally rofl'ed as all the pieces fell into place towards the end of the movie and some guy across the aisle let out a loud "ahhhhh".

As a bonus, I got to catch the preview for Garden State.  I have been looking forward to this movie for awhile now.

[Alluvian]

Although I literally rofl'ed as all the pieces fell into place towards the end of the movie and some guy across the aisle let out a loud "ahhhhh".

LOL, no kidding. Same thing here.  It's not like it was meant to be a surprise or anything.  Hell, they outright SAID it right in the film about 40 minutes in, in one of the first dream sequences.  And then it continually got hammered home throughout the movie.  Hell, they pretty much came out and said it in the first 10 minutes if you are paying any attention.  Ah well.  Not meant to be a secret, but will be for idiots.

Onto my quick thoughts:
AWESOME movie.  Really one of my alltime best.  I have never seen better dream sequences in a movie.  I agree with seeing it in the theatre.  And a first run one at that.  The sound used in many parts of the movie is really enhanced by its positioning.  Helps with the dreamlike disorientation.

I made a point to not read any reviews going in (still haven't) but this was not quite the movie I expected.  I expected a movie that didn't make any sense, but this movie made a LOT of sense for the casual observer and there was a ton of symbolism if you like to read more into it.

Just don't go in expecting a Jim Carrey comedy, but that much should be obvious from previews.  I thought he did a very good job with the role and stayed in it even though it is so easy for him to leap out of character and be goofy.

[airety]

I am massively excited to see Eternal Sunshine... it's a matter of finding someone to go right now basically. That's all that has kept me from
seeing it yet, turns out people don't realize Jim Carrey != The Mask.

I'm also really excited for Garden State, not only do I like Zach Braff on Scrubs but Natalie Portman is all that is hot and nothing that is not.

Then on Friday I have to see Jersey Girl. It almost seems like I'm getting myself ready for a romantic comedy week... I better go see Dawn of the Dead too.

[WayAbvPar]

I would be all over this, except for the fact that the mere sight of Jim Carrey sends me into a mindless frothing rage. I really can't express how much I fucking hate him. It isn't rational, and it isn't negotiable.  If only being unfunny was ACTUALLY terminal...we could get rid of Carrot Top the same way.

[Alluvian]

Yeah, but he never at any point even attempts to be vaugely funny in this movie.

But you probably hate him like I hate Kevin Costner and the guy who played wesley crusher.  In which case I understand.  I just have that problem with different people than you do.

[Kyper]

Jim Carrey should die in a Fire Marshall Bill fire.

He is one of the least funny people on the planet, right up there with Jerry Lewis.

I first hated him on "In Living Color".  Still, I've seen several of his movies and always walk away thinking he sucks.  Spotless Mind is a movie I would rush to see, if someone else was playing the lead role.  

Is the movie good enough that I can overlook my hate for Carrey?  If so, I'll go see it first-run.  If not, I might rent it when it's out on DVD.

[schild]

Is the movie good enough that I can overlook my hate for Carrey?  If so, I'll go see it first-run.  If not, I might rent it when it's out on DVD.

People go to movies to see certain people. They don't not go because a less than stellar actor is in a starring role. I'm not one to give two shits about Jim Carrey, Eternal Sunshine is a Charlie Kaufman movie, not a Jim Carrey Movie. Hell, even if you don't like Jim I don't think it can be argued that Bruce Almighty or Me, Myself and Irene weren't at least fun movies. (I will admit the grinch is nothing more than cock).

Where Eternal really shines is in it's narrative. Kaufman has really grown up since Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and Adaptation. Eternal Sunshine has enough of an ensemble cast, that while it focuses on Jim, it never goes into that 'Ace Ventura' category of silliness. Of course, now that I've said that I expect Joe to chime in at any moment telling us how much 'Dumb and Dumber' is the greatest movie of all time.

But yes, put your hatred toward Jim Carrey away because Kaufman has tamed the beast.

Edit: Not going to see this would be like not going to see Requiem for a Dream because it has a Wayans' brother in it.

[Kyper]

But yes, put your hatred toward Jim Carrey away because Kaufman has tamed the beast.

Edit: Not going to see this would be like not going to see Requiem for a Dream because it has a Wayans' brother in it.

You've convinced me to give it a shot in the next week or so.  I'll let the Carrey haters know if you're right.

[Alluvian]

I agree fully with Schild.  I am sort of stunned, but there it is.  Jim Carrey does a great job in this film.  Because he is not Jim Carrey at all.  He is the character in the movie.  No mugging for the camera at all.  No Carrey sillyness at all.  In fact the character is patently sober with very little sense of humor.

It is the difference between Bill Murray in Caddyshack vs Lost in Translation.