The first thing I noticed about this nine minute film was the sound. It’s incredible how simple effects, such as the overlapping of sound between scenes can make such a huge impact.
The score during the credits fits the mood perfectly. The sound and original score is by Tony Agar.
This is a story about a child, Rosie (Aimee Branson), who in basic terms has Alzheimer’s disease. The mother, Anna (Lindsay Bennett), has a choice: To enjoy the final 18 months with her daughter, or have a procedure that allows Rosie to survive, but with a 99 percent chance of her having no existing memories remain.
‘Delete her life’ – she dies either way.
The second thing I noticed was how believable the actors were. I especially thought the doctor, Stephen Fawkes, was convincing.
A short, simple film that is layered and told in a powerful way.
I thoroughly enjoyed Goldfish – well done to the small cast and crew involved! I think the hardest part is to stay within one’s means when making films. But with three characters and almost as many scenes, they managed to send a strong message without going too broad.
But I think this is a heart-warming, yet tragic story. The harsh lighting, score and believable acting certainly carries the emotions across.
I’m fascinated by memory – which is why Inception and Inside Out are two of my favourite films. Goldfish is definitely worth checking out!
Director: Michel Gondry Writers: Michel Gondry, Charlie Kaufman and Pierre Bismuth Released: March 2004 Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, Tom Wilkinson
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My Valentine’s Day post. Why? Because of this line that Joel delivers in the film about Valentine’s Day:
Joel: Today is a holiday invented by greeting card companies to make people feel like crap.
Which I found amusing.
It’s still one of my favourite movies after multiple viewings. I discovered this film in English class at high school and (admittedly not actually getting it the first time I watched it) I have loved it ever since!
Believe you me, the people who said they got it after the first viewing were either lying or they read the plot on Wikipedia.
It explores the idea of erasing painful memories and the implications of this. Imagine being able to erase the memory of an embarrassing moment. More seriously, imagine being so distraught with losing a loved one that you choose to erase the memory of them ever existing.
Mary (Kirsten Dunst): Blessed are the forgetful, for they get the better even of their blunders.
But is erasing difficult memories enabling one to make the same mistakes again? Is never meeting a true love better than enduring the loss?
It follows two main characters Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) whose difficult relationship leads them down the road of removing the memory of each other. They are polar opposite. It shows how two people can complete each other, but also how much they can clash.
Clementine: This is it, Joel. It’s going to be gone soon. Joel: I know. Clementine: What do we do? Joel: Enjoy it.
I love how the story explores relationships. How sometimes the things you love about someone becomes the very reason you fall out of love with them.
Joel: [on tape recording] And the whole thing with the hair – it’s all bullshit. Joel: I really like your hair. Clementine: Thank you.
(Cleverly, Clementine has ever-changing hair, which helps viewers keep track of the order of the plot, which jumps between past and present.)
The actors appear to be playing the opposite of the sort of characters they’ve been typecast to play. Winslet and Carrey both nail it though.
This film is thought provoking to say the least. Mind boggling too. But it’s ultimately about accepting that pain is part of growing, and loss is a part of life.
Joel: I can’t see anything that I don’t like about you. Clementine: But you will! But you will. You know, you will think of things. And I’ll get bored with you and feel trapped because that’s what happens with me. Joel: Okay. Clementine: [pauses] Okay.
It’s sort of like Inception meets The Matrix, but that’s just because it’s the exploration of a different perspective of life.
At the end of The Matrix we all asked ourselves ‘is this world virtual?’. At the end of Inception we all asked ourselves ‘am I in a dream?’.
At the end of Eternal Sunshine, you’ll ask yourselves ‘have I done this before?’.
You’ll be sure to pick up a few funny sayings and dwell over the small touches that you would never notice the first three times of watching this layered film.
Clementine: You’re not a stalker, or anything, right? Joel: I’m not a stalker. YOU’RE the one that talked to me, remember? Clementine: That is the oldest trick in the stalker book. Joel: Really? There’s a stalker book? Great, I gotta read that one.
This is an absolutely awesome film that will have you thinking for hours. I thoroughly enjoyed it as it is a fantastic break from the monotonous love stories out there. The technology used and tricks done on set by the camera and the actors is old school, but very cool.
Eternal Sunshine is a film that not everybody could relate to or fully appreciate. I think it is because this is not a spoon-fed love story Fedexed from Hollywood to a cinema near you!
Jodie’s rating: 8.5/10
This trailer really makes this film very light and fluffy… Which isn’t accurate.
Director: Dale Driver
This is a story about a child, Rosie (Aimee Branson), who in basic terms has Alzheimer’s disease. The mother, Anna (Lindsay Bennett), has a choice: To enjoy the final 18 months with her daughter, or have a procedure that allows Rosie to survive, but with a 99 percent chance of her having no existing memories remain.
But I think this is a heart-warming, yet tragic story. The harsh lighting, score and believable acting certainly carries the emotions across.
NZ Film Freak 