"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is the best film made in the past 30 years. I'm saying it. This statement is more for my peace of mind than for other people to gasp at my audacity, because really, who am I? A 19 year old kid who likes movies. What do I know? I know that "Sunshine" is the best film made in the past three decades, and here's why.
First, it is meticulously crafted. I've watched the film over 5 times, and each time I notice a small detail that I hadn't seen before, and each detail reflects the overall goal of the film. There is so much information to be found about the film in every single scene that it's impossible to catch it all in the first viewing. For example, in the scene where Joel (Jim Carrey) is remembering leaving the beach party where he met Clementine (Kate Winslet) for the first time, dozens of details create this chaotic, bizarre, yet nostalgic, heartbreaking scene. At one point, Joel is buried in sand, while in the car. Outside the car, scenes of his life are flashing by. And yet, the audience understands the purpose of these details without consciously thinking about it. It makes sense, so we go with it. It's wonderful.
More importantly, the core of the film is a love story, a story that is timeless and real. A guy falls in love with this quirky girl who makes him feel alive, except as the relationship progresses, the nuances and quirks start to wear on him (and his on her as well), and they fall apart. Everyone has a relationship like this in their lives. This story is applicable to people growing up now, or 50 years ago, or 200 years from now, because it captures a piece of humanity in that we grow tired of one another, no matter how much love exists between the two parties. We have to learn how to love each other, even when we get annoyed and feel trapped and want to leave. This is a story about enduring love, which is something that every human wants.
And that's two of the reasons why this film is the best film made in a long time.
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