Eternal Sunchine for young people

[MargeB]

My folks were over and we watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. It is one of my favourite films, but I think they found it a drag. Is there a generation divide for this film? It gets sadder and more impressive the more I watch it. In fact, I wish I hadn't watched it with someone who didn't like it!

[Morrisonker]

I think it's an aquired taste really, I think it's a gorgeous film, definately the best I've seen in years although it did take me a few watches to get it completely.  But then again my boyfriend's parents just didn't get it, they thought it dragged and was confusing. 

[MargeB]

"dragged and was confusing" sums mine up perfectly too.

God, I love the ending. Lesson in it for everyone.

[MargeB]

To be honest, I don't want to read too much into it, but I wonder how much I have in common with people who reaaaally didn't like this film. This film was a major balm to me, just like taking a big glass of water after a walk in the dessert. How can you have an "intimate" relationship with someone, lose them, come to terms with that, and then not gawk at this film as finally someone is able to express what is going on with that in film! Do people go through life semi-conscious?

[netibiza]

MargeB I am 60 and found the film very confusing and didn't finish watching it.  Guess at my time of life I like to have things spelled out so don't wear out the small amount of braincells I have.

[goldheart]

Found it very boring Im afraid... couldnt wait for it to finish (I have to watch films to the end just in case...)  won't be recommending that one to anyone!!

[MargeB]

SPOILERS

wow. Maybe it was just me. Maybe it just depends on how well a film happens to pique those things that were very salient to you. I was always very interested in comparing notes with a mate who dated girls at the same time as me in London and kept in touch with almost every single one afterwards, while I kept in touch with only a couple of long term exes, so it's been something that fascinates me. Joel's voice over mentions this at one point towards the end, how you can go from great intimacy to total strangers in a heartbeat. The film totally absorbed me, to the point where I was nervous to watch it again...especially the resolution at the end and the metaphors they employ. Mind you, I loved Vanilla Sky also, which most detest...