This is, by far, the best work that Jim Carrey has EVER done; even better than "The Truman Show." Also turning in a rather fabulous performance is one of my favorite actresses, the marvelous Kate Winslet. Charlie Kauffman once again proves his brilliance in this, zany, eccentric, and undeniably sweet romantic comedy-sci fi-thing. The film begins at the end, one of the brilliances of it, so my review may prove to be confusing, but one of the films' many strengths is the way that it takes sucha complicated idea and make it easy-to-follow without being simple or shallow. Here goes nothin': Jim Carrey boards a train and meets Kate Winslet, and they sprak a relationship. Then the film goes forward (or backward?) in time to where he and she broke up. While attempting to win back Winslet's Clementine, Carrey's Joel realizes that there's something fishy going on. Led by her friends to a company that erases minds called Lacuna (Brilliant, isn't it), used primarily for bad relationships. Joel decides to have the same done, but begins second guessung himself as they start the procedure. And that's only the beginning. We then go inside Joel's mind, where a conscious version of himself desperately tries two things to keep them from erasing Clementine forever: 1. Wake himself up or 2. Hide her in memories that they'd never think to look in. *BREATH* Isn't that positively labyrinthine? And as that story continues and we learn more about Joel's early life, we learn that the relationships at Lacuna are just as messed up as the people that they treat. This is definitely one of my favorite films, and would reccomend it to anyone who is a teenager. Personally, I think that Common Sense overreacted with the whole 17+ thing for there was some suggestive material (brief drug use, sexual content without nudity) but it was nothing that I hadn't been exposed to before nor do I think that many teens haven't. So run, don't walk, to see "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," you definitely won't be sorry.
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Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 17. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Imaginative, loopy romance is for adults only.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 17–18
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Parents need to know that this movie has extremely strong language and very explicit sexual references and situations. Characters drink and smoke cigarettes and marijuana.
Read our full review by Nell Minow
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about which memories they might think about erasing and which ones they will always make sure to keep. They might also like to look up the meaning of the word "Lacuna," talk about some of their favorite quotations and read some of the brilliant poetry of Alexander Pope.
Our Members Say
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
BRILLIANT!!!!
- I rate this title on for age 15 and give it
Funny and touching story, especially for those who have experienced a break-up
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a fascinating journey through a man's memories. The screenplay is truly deserving of the Oscar it received, and Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey work surprisingly well together. As far as content, the language is the main concern here, with at least 30 f-words, among many other expletives. There is a brief (and funny) scene involving masturbation, and there is a scene with two people who are naked, though no nudity is shown. There is no actual sex in the film, but there are multiple references to it. I recommend this to anyone mature enough to handle harsh language, and at least understands sexuality.
- I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
Doesn't make sense. This film is so boring.
What the hell, 17+? This film isn't for adults only, you prudish people.
- I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
My Favorite Movie of All Time! woot.
Eternal Sunshine is plain brilliant...it's very creative and eccentric, and I love pretty much everything about it. As far as content goes, CSM seemed to make a huge deal out of the inappropriate stuff, but I didn't think it was too bad. Deserves the R-rating, but it doesn't have anything graphic.
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
Awesome
I watched this when I was about 13 with my mother, father, and 11 year old brother. I did not find anything too offensive or adult for myself or my brother, neither did my parents. I think that it's a very thought-provoking movie for most ages.
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
An intriguing film that keeps the mind guessing...
This movie was amazing! I enjoy that in order to completely understand, you must indulge yourself in the entire movie. You don't figure out the end, until the end, unpredictable movies are great! Probably not suitable for all ages but 16+.
- I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 2 and give it
eternal sunshine of absolutly no mind
this movie sucked. It has no music through the entire thing. Anybody could watch it! just don't.
- I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it
An excellent film that should have been nominated for more than what it was
I think it was only nominated for like two awards (my memory is hazy from that Academy Awards celebration). But obvisouly, I just watched it for the reason that I had to wait a bit before seeing the movie. But I didn't really think there was that much wrong with it (it was certainly better content-wise than "Crash"), but really the most apparent concerns are the language and sexual situations. Other than that, this is a brilliant movie that is quite fun and original.
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
good movie if you want something complex..
Sometimes we're in the mood for a romance that isn't so sally-met-harry and little more unpredictable... this is definitely one of them. A good movie that keeps you thinking-- good acting. For more mature audiences..
- I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
- I rate this title on for age 17 and give it
- I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it
incomprehensible
What were these two excellent actors thinking. This is a stupid, ill conceived somewhat sour movie. COmpletely missable.
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