After a painful breakup, a man has a procedure to erase his ex-girlfriend from his memory. Partway through, he changes his mind. The film thinks about love, grief and what makes an experience worth having.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a 2004 romance, science fiction and drama film directed by Michel Gondry. This breakdown covers 4 techniques (1 editing, 2 cinematography and 1 narrative), each with the scene where you can see it. If you like how it is made, The Revenant uses several of the same techniques.
Running the story backward, by ordering the scenes from last to first or by playing action in reverse on screen. You see results before you see their causes.
How this film uses it
The memory-erasure sequences run backward through Joel and Clementine's relationship. You watch it fall apart before you see the tenderness. As cliche as it sounds, the love feels more precious while it's being destroyed.
Where to see it
The Montauk beach memory sequence. It's the emotional core of the film, and it's the last memory you reach.
Creating effects physically on set with makeup, prosthetics, built props and camera tricks, with no computer graphics added later. The results look solid and real.
How this film uses it
Gondry showed Joel's memories falling apart with in-camera tricks such as forced perspective (a trick that fools the eye about size), hidden space and spotlighting. That keeps the surreal moments feeling physical and handmade.
Where to see it
The beach house memory. The house crumbles in real time while Joel watches.
Placing the camera where a character's eyes are, or shooting the scene the way that character experiences it. You see and feel things from inside their head.
How this film uses it
During the erasure sequences, the camera takes on Joel's panicked point of view as the memories come apart around him. You experience memory loss as getting lost in a place.
Where to see it
Joel hiding Clementine in his childhood memories. The camera searches around in a panic.
Ending the film where it started, or with a scene that echoes the opening. The repeat shows what has changed, or suggests the cycle will keep going.
How this film uses it
The film opens with Joel and Clementine meeting on the beach, which is also its emotional ending. The straight timeline folds into a loop. The loop asks if love is still worth choosing when you know exactly how much it will hurt.
Where to see it
The Montauk opening and closing. The film returns to the same beach, and it means something different the second time.
Questions
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: quick answers
What filmmaking techniques does Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind use?
CineCode breaks down 4 techniques in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004): Reverse Scene Sequence, Practical In-Camera Effects, Subjective Camera and Circular Structure.
Who directed Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind?
Michel Gondry directed Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, released in 2004. CineCode also covers The Green Hornet (2011).
What films are similar to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind?
Films that share techniques with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind include The Revenant (2015), Batman Begins (2005), Throne of Blood (1957), Lost Highway (1997).
