The Best Date Movie of the Decade

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Ok,ok … I’ll admit this is the closest genre to chick-flick that I have. I was going to actually have a Best Chick-Flick of the decade (sorry Ms. MeanFace) but I took a verbal beating from my wife who claimed I was being sexist, which is totally preposterous. Does she not realize I am the Title IX Supervisor at work, which covers approximately 16,000+ people? Anyway, I talked her into letting me have this category instead. Guess I don’t even have total control of my blog (but I do have my remote control, unless LP takes it with a laughing grin … hehe).

I’ll admit this is an odd choice for this genre. It definitely is not a movie for the masses and seems a little like a critic’s pick. I could have chosen Love, Actually (which would have been my best Holiday Film of the decade if I had kept that category in), About a Boy, Mr. and Mrs. Smith (talk about equal opportunity eye candy), The Notebook, or even Wall-E. But I didn’t. I chose this darkly, romantic tale from the warped mind of Charlie Kaufman.

This is a great line, and in summary, defines this movie: “You can erase someone from your mind; getting them out of your heart is another story.” If that’s not date-worthy, what is?

The film is non-linear, and it works, in fact it’s a necessity to the story-telling process (much like Pulp Fiction , but unlike 21 Grams). The story is simple, yet complicated. Carrey’s character learns his “ex” (Winslett) has erased their memories together so she can move on with her life. He in turn decides to do the same but has second thoughts, albeit while unconscious. Therefore, much of the film takes place in his mind. It truly is a beautiful story if you can get past the complicated storytelling.

I honestly can’t believe I am recommending a Jim Carrey film to be honest with you. He truly gets on my nerves. Here, though, he is pretty good, and his supporting cast is superb … I already mentioned Winslett, but it also boasts the underrated Tom Wilkinson, the dependable Mark Ruffalo, and the semi talented (in the right role) Elijah wood and Kirsten Dunst.

This Valentines Day I suggest you go out on a limb and check this out … I think I might, if I can talk my wife into it (wait … I do still have control of the remote, don’t I???).