Comments on: Blessed Are The Forgetful: Remembering ‘Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind’

By: Corey

Corey — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:54:25 +0000

Its been a year and a half since my last real relationship. Had my heart broken, broke ties completely (except ironically we crossed paths again a month ago, and then again a couple days ago). Since then I\’ve been enjoying being single ;), but I\’d also been drinking and whatnot more than ever before. Normally I\’m fine but every once in a while I\’d feel like I was missing something. Just finished this movie and it really changed my perspective on things. Since that breakup I\’ve been scared to open up with anyone else, just wanted things to be strictly sexual. But this film showed me that maybe that\’s not the right way to live, that the memories are really are worth the pain. Not only that but what you learn from both the good and bad of past failed relationships. Maybe its time I open up again, or at least allow the possibility of it to happen agai.. I just wish I had seen this movie sooner, or maybe I did and i chose to Eternally erase it from my memory…

By: Suzanne Foxton

Suzanne Foxton — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:54:25 +0000

I admire this article and compliments on your writing abilities. This is a wonderfully honest and remarkably insightful piece. My two cent\’s worth: in my opinion, if the Lacuna process was unavailable and Clem and Joel were simply free to make up after their fight, there was every chance they would have made the relationship work. The thing about fighting and making up is – if the parties are reasonably mentally healthy – that the relationship is held to the crucible and potentially comes out of the flames stronger. I think this is why Joel and Ckem ultimately decided to try again, and why Joel panicked and decided to try and keep his memories, perhaps the relationship wasn\’t on an inexorable decline; maybe they were in a longish process of using the relationship to go through. I envision the second attemp thus: they have a blowout two years down the road, and have more respect for their invested time and effort to resort to Lacuna. Also, they are two years older and have had the rest of their lives\’ experiences to grow and mature through. Like most bohemians, Clem is probably a bit more conservative with age and not so impulsive. Their chemistry is considerable. I think the second time around, they make up. They use the process of life and the tool of memory to learn from and grow by. What the option of memory erasure most clearly illustrates is that there is a spark that cannot be erased, a kismet that cannot be eradicated. They are a truly complementary couple and those relationships can work, and work well, when accompanied by tolerance, patience and forgiveness. I see Clem and Joel married, with kids and grand kids, and fully rounded, emotionally complete people rather than perpetual adolescents. But hey, I\’m an optimist!

Again, great piece.

By: Gautam

Gautam — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:54:25 +0000

Great, intimately written piece, Oliver. I had similar experiences with the film, and life in general too. So, kudos to you for writing this.

By: Abe

Abe — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:54:25 +0000

This is definitely one of the best articles on film I've ever read.
Reading it has not only made me want to see the film again, but it just made me have a different perspective on my love life in just the 5 minutes it took me to read.
And yes, putting your experiences and honesty into it is the main triumph of this piece. Very stirring indeed. Good job, Oliver. I hope some day I'll stumble upon a piece like this on Her, which as two readers pointed out below, is definitely a stand-out movie about relationships and intimacy.
Very well done, Oliver. Thanks for this. Made my day. 😀

By: Rob

Rob — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:54:25 +0000

This movie's only 10 years old and it seems like quality films like this are a memory now…

By: CJ

CJ — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:54:25 +0000

Thank you for your honesty and depth in this stirring piece. I recently was dumped at the end of my longest (and most serious) relationship yet, and like you, I have used my love of cinema to reflect upon and work through what I am feeling. And Eternal Sunshine is something I have certainly thought about in the past few weeks.

I agree with Javier (one of the other commenters) that Her might end up taking a similar place for many. I saw Her the day after I was dumped, and the film resonated (at times, quite painfully) with me on a level that might not have occurred in a different context.

Thanks again, Oliver.

By: Loz in Transit

Loz in Transit — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:54:25 +0000

Cried big time in the closing scene. They keep finding the building blocks of memory in the brain. Its gonna happen kiddies.

By: hank

hank — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:54:25 +0000

love you Oliver

By: KCS

KCS — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:54:25 +0000

Excellent write up for the anniversary of a classic. Thanks for sharing personally. I related to much of what you said and it also gave me food for thought. Time to break out my copy for viewing number too many too count.

By: Javier

Javier — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:54:25 +0000

Great piece, the way you regarded the film while undergoing those experiences are spot-on. Maybe Her will be the next decades' Eternal Sunshine? Either way, David Cross was ace throughout Eternal, "â¦.I'm making, a bird house."

By: Sam

Sam — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:54:25 +0000

Thank you, this piece actually manage to cheer me up as I was actually feeling pretty down before reading it. This was a great piece about a great film.

By: Skippy

Skippy — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:54:25 +0000

It's easily my favorite movie of the 2000s. How much do I love it? I've only seen it once. I do that with movies that I think are really special. (Note: It's a small part, but I think Kirsten Dunst does some of her best work here.)

By: Peter

Peter — Fri, 13 May 2016 07:54:25 +0000

This article was unlike any other that I've ever read from this site in the last maybe 4-5 years I've been reading. You're honesty on the subject matter shines through wonderfully, and yeah man – ditto on the movie. Anyways, good job Oliver.