Μύ Since its initial DVD release, offbeat romance Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind has earned its writer Charlie Kaufman an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Kate Winslet also bagged a nomination for her role as Clementine, the kooky object of affection for sadsack Joel, played by Jim Carrey. The ostentatious Michel Gondry directs this "vibrant, warm and deliriously inventive" story set in a world where painful memories can be surgically erased.
And Then There Was Light...
Along with a copy of Kaufman's screenplay, this Special Edition adds a fresh batch of extras to the first DVD released. Thankfully this is more than just a pappy PR stunt with an eye-opening trip Inside The Mind Of Michel Gondry revealing how the Frenchman was able to achieve startling visual effects with minimum CGI. "He really is a visual genius," coos Winslet, "And I say that with total admiration." As opposed to total disgust.
Despite the blather, she may be right. Snippets of test footage show the ethereal effect of melting sugar cubes and silhouettes dancing in showers of glitter. But for all his attention to detail, Gondry thrives on chaos. For example, a scene set in the deep recesses of Joel's memory has Carrey running backwards and forwards in the dark to play two versions of the character. "We had a good argument about that," recalls the rubber-faced actor. "I said it can't be done, but it was a triumph."
Anatomy Of A Scene goes into finer detail by breaking down the Saratoga Avenue sequence. It's one of the rare times Gondry resorted to computers, but most of the effects were achieved on location. Cinematographer Ellen Kuras and production designer Dan Leigh explain how they realised Gondy's notion of having the environment disintegrate around Joel and Clementine as they quarrel. Composer Jon Brion also explains how he managed to convince a roomful of classically trained musicians to drop their instruments and "shake their tictacs".
Sunshine Turns To Thunder
After her earlier effusions, you'd expect A Conversation With Kate Winslet And Michel Gondry to be an exercise in mutual butt-kissing. Well that's what Winslet had in mind, but Gondry asserts, "We must tell the truth." Indeed he does, but our demure English rose is mortified by what he says. She thanks him for allowing her to act out her own ideas and Gondry comes back with, "It's because I didn't want to upset you." Unfortunately he does precisely that by adding, "I had to humour her. There's so much s*** I have to deal with to keep everyone happy!" You can almost see Winslet dying slowly on the inside...
Despite what Gondry says, some of those improvised scenes were actually very good. Eighteen minutes of extra footage includes a sprawling vignette between Carrey and Winslet that captures Joel's uncertainty and Clementine's self-conscious rambling in the early stages of their courtship. Snapshots of Joel's relationship with his previous girlfriend are featured too.
This is a surprising and engaging selection of features, but the absence of Charlie Kaufman leaves a yawning void. If only we could get inside the mind of this screenwriter and look around for a while. On the other hand, there's always Adaptation.
EXTRA FEATURES
DISC ONEDISC TWO
