Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - Where does the brilliance of Kauffman stop?
There are very few individuals who'd I'd describe as an exemplar of their industry. Infact, exclusivity would have to be a pre-requisite of the definition. From my heavily sheltered computer desk I can count the number of exemplars in any industry on two hands.
Don Bradman would be high on the list, the world's greatest cricketer by the majority of accounts and arguably the most dominant individual in any sporting discipline.
Leonardo Da Vinci would also be enjoying the rarified air at the zenith of this list.
Charlie Kauffman, whilst shrouded in considerably more annonimity would be one of the few filmmakers that I'd include in such a list.
Now I know this sounds ludicrous, I'm attempting to compare Da Vinci 'the master' with a filmmaker that I'd be willing to bet your next door neighbour probably hasn't heard of. What's so good about this guy?
To be Frank, my responce is "this film." Even though Kauffman is a screenwriter, a role traditionally undervalued in the American film industry, each one of his films exerts the undeniable aura that can only be described as a 'Kauffman film'.
His wonderful conglomeration of introverted, frustrated, real characters, coupled with his ongoing self-reflexive awareness of his art (Adaptation is a film where he is the main character as a script writer trying to write a film without involving him as a character... go figure!) makes him stand out from the crowd.
Perhaps the simplest description of his films is as follows: Poetry. Sheer Poetry.
What makes Eternal Sunshine stand out as his masterpiece thus far, is his unapologetically interwoven narrative structure, and his truly subjective portrayal of all characters. To recount the story is to do it a disservice, to be frank I'm often amazed they managed to tell it in under 2 hours!
The other reason why Eternal Sunshine stands out is Jim Carey! I know, I hear you. I also put the DVD down when I see 'ol Jimmy on the cover, but this is his first truly great performance as a straigh actor (Man on the Moon was a warmup folks). Couple him with Kate Winslet and Tom Wilkinson and you can understand why I'm happy to put this film on the list of inanimate objects I'd feel comfortable marrying.
If you haven't guessed yet I'm more than happy to rate this film an Australian Premiere. This is one of 4 films that managed to make me cry (and it hasn't failed to do so after 10 viewings). It also shares the mantle with Amelie as one of only two films that made me stop. Think. And evaluate my life.
Normally I'd be worried giving a film a massive wrap because that only leads to dissatisfaction by the reader, in this circumstance I have no such fear. It hasn't let me down yet.
So get out, hire it, and enjoy a piece of cinema comes out once every 10-15 years.
Don Bradman would be high on the list, the world's greatest cricketer by the majority of accounts and arguably the most dominant individual in any sporting discipline.
Leonardo Da Vinci would also be enjoying the rarified air at the zenith of this list.
Charlie Kauffman, whilst shrouded in considerably more annonimity would be one of the few filmmakers that I'd include in such a list.
'Technically the proceedure is brain damage'
To be Frank, my responce is "this film." Even though Kauffman is a screenwriter, a role traditionally undervalued in the American film industry, each one of his films exerts the undeniable aura that can only be described as a 'Kauffman film'.
His wonderful conglomeration of introverted, frustrated, real characters, coupled with his ongoing self-reflexive awareness of his art (Adaptation is a film where he is the main character as a script writer trying to write a film without involving him as a character... go figure!) makes him stand out from the crowd.
Perhaps the simplest description of his films is as follows: Poetry. Sheer Poetry.
What makes Eternal Sunshine stand out as his masterpiece thus far, is his unapologetically interwoven narrative structure, and his truly subjective portrayal of all characters. To recount the story is to do it a disservice, to be frank I'm often amazed they managed to tell it in under 2 hours!
The other reason why Eternal Sunshine stands out is Jim Carey! I know, I hear you. I also put the DVD down when I see 'ol Jimmy on the cover, but this is his first truly great performance as a straigh actor (Man on the Moon was a warmup folks). Couple him with Kate Winslet and Tom Wilkinson and you can understand why I'm happy to put this film on the list of inanimate objects I'd feel comfortable marrying.
If you haven't guessed yet I'm more than happy to rate this film an Australian Premiere. This is one of 4 films that managed to make me cry (and it hasn't failed to do so after 10 viewings). It also shares the mantle with Amelie as one of only two films that made me stop. Think. And evaluate my life.
Normally I'd be worried giving a film a massive wrap because that only leads to dissatisfaction by the reader, in this circumstance I have no such fear. It hasn't let me down yet.
So get out, hire it, and enjoy a piece of cinema comes out once every 10-15 years.
Film & TV on DVD
As for Kaufman I still think Being John Malkovich is his finest script, he is certainly a master storyteller.
The Science of Sleep directed by Michael Gondry looks promising.
The Devil & I
Majikal Mysterium
My favourite Kaufman-scripted film is still Adaptation. Just love the irony of the film.
Mediated
I love Eternal because its his bravest non-linear piece yet, with virtually no guidance (other than clementines hair) as to your time period.
Science of Sleep and Synedcoche definitely sound like films to look forward to!