“‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”
________- Alfred Lord Tennyson

Maybe.

Whether you’re currently in a successful relationship or in-between attempts, chances are you’ve met a special someone during your lifetime. Romantic relationships have the unfortunate task of providing extreme highs and lows for those involved, and rarely play out in the ways we’d hoped they would. Still, for most people, life would be incomplete without the pursuit of love. To make a long story short: a great relationship can be the best thing in the world, while a failing one can be the exact opposite.

Now, imagine your most recent relationship didn’t end so well. If you had the ability to erase all memories of that relationship…would you?

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To get straight to the point, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is certainly up to the task of debating the opening quote. Among other things, it’s an honest look at the strange side of human relationships…with an extreme emphasis on strange. Followers of director Michel Gondry will recognize his careful use of visual effects and jarring illusions, while followers of writer Charlie Kaufman…well, they know what they’re in for.

It’s incredibly tough to describe a film like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and do it justice, but here goes: Joel (Jim Carrey, at top) is a mess after a recent breakup with Clementine (Kate Winslet, seen above), especially after learning she’s undergone an experimental “memory erasing” procedure. In essence, he’s gone from her life entirely. Not surprisingly, he attempts to undergo the same treatment, but a funny thing happens during the procedure: he changes his mind. The emotional bulk of the story revolves around his memory hallucinations during the treatment, as his life’s recollections violently collide with one another. It’s a truly odd premise that makes for a very entertaining film, and firmly establishes Michel Gondry as a director to keep your eye on.

Still, it’s more than the directing that makes Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind work so well. Among other highlights, the film features top-notch performances, most notably in the two leads. Jim Carrey retains his charisma without going over the top, resulting in one of his best performances to date. Kate Winslet also proves to be the perfect choice for Clementine, bringing the necessary amount of spark and honesty to her important role. Although slightly more buried in the background, Mark Ruffalo and Kirsten Dunst are also noteworthy (as is Elijah Wood, who has thankfully avoided typecasting after his Lord of the Rings role). The film’s creative blend of music is another highlight—though it’s no surprise, given the director’s experience with music videos. Last but not least, the film is absolutely bursting with creative visual effects and set designs, something of a trademark for director Gondry. First-time viewers will do more than one double-take, while those who’ve seen it multiple times may still be caught off guard.

With all of these positive elements, it should come as no surprise that Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind was one of my favorite films of the year, and a true cinematic breath of fresh air. It’s not your typical romantic comedy, to be sure…but if you’ve seen what passes for “romantic comedy” these days, this proves to be its greatest strength. It’s a rare film that’s equally enjoyable with that special someone…or all by yourself.

Anyway, enough gushing. After a short run at the domestic box office, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind has been rushed to DVD courtesy of Focus Features (and Universal, of course). It’s a solid DVD effort that doesn’t necessarily knock one out of the park, but it’s a respectable treatment for a deserving film. With that said, let’s see how this one stacks up:

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