you could only pick out one movie for Valentines Day this year.
What will it be?
Maybe a tried-and-true classic like10 Things I Hate About You?
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Or maybe something a bit more offbeat, likeThe Big Sick?
Whatever the case may be, you probably dont immediately think ofEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
But hear us out: It might be your best bet.
Theres that title, for starters.
Who could forget such a mouthful?
(Its pulled from an 18th-century Alexander Pope poem.)
Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) | IMDb
She dyes her hair in unconventional colors before its cool.
She decries the trope of the Manic Pixie Dream Girl before the term even exists.
She also makes his life a living hell.
Shes one of Winslets finest creations.
The movie now bears its own minor mythology.
Apparently, the filmmaker wouldnt allow Carrey to improvise, thinking hedappear more reserved on camera.
Worse yet, Gondry by his own admission created a dangerous work environment.
Still, the movie proved a success.
Part of this was due to screenwriter Charlie Kaufmans deft handling of the material.
Just when the story veered into thriller or sci-fi territory, he pulled back.
#4: Romance Galore
Finally, there was that romantic premise.
The movie opens on Valentines Day, for starters, kicking off a series of boldly romantic situations.
We see Joel and Clementine meet; they hit it off.
Then we fast forward to the collapse of their relationship.
The two fight, makeup, fight again, and decide to erase each other from their memories.
This is a Charlie Kaufman screenplay, so they can do that.
Its maddening for both him and viewers.
Still, the narrative rewards are so rich, especially after Joel has a change of heart.
After revisiting his sunniest days with Clementine, he decides not to snuff out her light.
He races against the clock to stop the procedure and preserve what remains of his greatest romance.
Now, we wont spoil what comes next.
You might actually pick this for your Valentines watch, after all.
But suffice it to say that this movie never lets up, exactly.
And yet, relationships are like that.
You work out the kinks and try, have another go.
If you truly love a person, you accept them, eternally, even when the days arent sunny.
Thats true love, and thats what Valentines Day is really about.
