Tag: eternal sunshine of the spotless mind

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I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020)

One of the most anticipated films of 2020 comes in the form of this psychological horror from the genius that is Charlie Kaufman. I’m Thinking of Ending Things is based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Iain Reid with Kaufman adapting the screenplay and directing. Oscar-winning writer enlists Jessie Buckley and Jesse Plemons as the film’s leads following Buckley as a Young Woman who is hesitant with her new boyfriend, Jake (Plemons). In true Kaufman fashion, the dialogue is complex and layered as the Young Woman’s open voice over is interwoven into the discussions that she partakes in as though the other characters can hear her thoughts. The film takes place during a visit the Young Woman and Jake take to the latter’s parents and the impending mental breakdown that ensues when they are all trapped due to a snowstorm.

Jessie Buckley is brilliant as expected. Proving herself to be a true rising star in the acting game thanks to her turns in Beast (2017), Wild Rose (2018) and the TV drama Chernobyl (2019), Buckley shows off a flawless American accent as the Young Woman who descends into madness as she loses her grip on what she wants and what she should do with her life. Opposite Buckley is Jesse Plemons who has rapidly risen in the acting ranks in recent years. Known to most for his turn on the final season of Breaking Bad (2008-2013), Plemons has built a fantastic portfolio starring in films like The Master (2012) and Vice (2018). It’s refreshing to see both actors lead in a film that is reliant on their performances. The rapport between them is credit to the perfect casting and their ability to bounce off each other naturally despite the complexity of the writing.

In the supporting roles we have Toni Collette and David Thewlis as Jake’s parents who unsurprisingly bring phenomenal performances. Jake’s Mother is aloof and eccentric contrasted with his Father who is opinionated and direct. The casting again is top notch as it is great to see two relative newcomers and two acting veterans bouncing off one another and building onto the tension up to breaking point. Collette is flying high on a streak of brilliant roles she has taken in recent years including her lead performance in Ari Aster’s 2018 hit Hereditary and it’s nice to see Thewlis working with Kaufman again after playing the lead in the 2015 animated masterpiece, Anomalisa.

The dinner scene in which the new couple and the parents break the ice and get to know each other. What Kaufman has always been brilliant at is fleshing out his characters to a point where you know them but at the same time you don’t know everything about them. The characters cannot be fully trusted but because Kaufman writes it this way. These extra dimensions and layers allow the plot to naturally unravel. The film is directed from the Young Woman’s perspective so as she begins to doubt everything that happens, so does the audience. Its depiction of mental and emotional breakdown starts subtle but soon enough, the audience is thrust into a confusing narrative where stories change, the ages of characters change and even the protagonist’s name changes. The audience doesn’t truly know who the Young Woman is and so she could be any of these woman; a scholar, a waitress or an artist but her inner conflict in who she is and what she wants means that the uncertainties that unfold in Jake’s parents’ household are not as peculiar as it may seem.

Another unspoken aspect that is worth mentioning is the brilliant decision made to cut out music from the majority of it so the natural soundscapes provide the background noise. The opening piece composed by Jay Wadley is wonderfully intense underlying the horror aspects of the film as the Young Woman talks about her relationship and her outlook on life as a whole. The ballet sequence later in the film is driven by the musical narrative that Wadley composes and complimented the dancing perfectly.

Kaufman has knocked it out of the park again with his strong direction and distinctive writing and insight into the human condition. I’m Thinking of Ending Things is available on Netflix and I would definitely recommend giving it a watch. The ups and downs of the relationship is reminiscent of Kaufman’s screenplay for the 2004 film Enternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind while still remaining original and developing its own DNA. I wouldn’t be surprised to see I’m Thinking of Ending Things in discussion when it comes to awards season. Thrilling and indulgent, it is a film that demands to be watched more than once.
Have you seen I’m Thinking of Ending Things yet? Let me know what you think in the comments below!
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Top 5 Jim Carrey Performances

Jim Carrey is an actor who time and time again demonstrates the range that he has, despite his solidified reputation as a brilliant comedian. He has been playing leading roles since his meteoric rise to fame in the 90s that have become classics such as Ace Ventura and The Mask. There is a reason why he was Hollywood’s highest paid actor at one point, he has such charisma that his films are incredibly fun to watch. It is unbelievable to think that he has never been nominated for an Academy Award despite winning two Golden Globes and showing that he is capable of pulling off performances that are memorable and impactful.

Carrey was one of my favourite actors growing up. I loved watching his films thanks to his larger than life characters and his hilarious physical comedy, particularly his dramatic expressions. What has been wonderful about Carrey’s career is seeing him evolve and taking part in a variety of differing roles from his mid-90s expressive comedy to his more serious roles in the late 90s and early 2000s. Like marmite, people tend to either love or hate Carrey’s work and I am definitely in the former.

Here are my top 5 Jim Carrey performances in chronological order:

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls (1995)

One of those rare instances where I enjoy the sequel much more than the original, Carrey reprises his role as the titular pet detective which sees Ventura recruited for a mission to retrieve a rare white bat that belongs to the native Wachati tribe. The film is an explosion of signature Carrey jokes and the film is my personal highlight of the mid-90s period where Carrey was all the rage. His unpredictability still remains the main point of attention for audiences as we watch him knock out a man and wear him on his shoulders to make a point on the fur trade as well as numerous musical moments including a hilarious rendition of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”. My personal highlight, however, is the seen in which he encounters the bats for the first time bringing us great lines such as “take that, you winged spawn of Satan” and “die, devil bird”. His filmography at thie point in his career wasn’t for everyone as it is so over the top but personally, I love it and it’s interesting watching this film back and watching it from an animal rights point of view.

The Truman Show (1998)

The film that showed an entirely different side to Carrey’s range, The Truman Show sees Carrey play Truman, a man who believes he is living a regular suburban life when in fact it is a reality show filled with actors that is broadcast to the world. Truman begins to suspect that something isn’t quite right and tries to escape the edge of his town where he hasn’t been before. It’s a poignant film about identity and finding that sense of belonging. Truman’s life has always unknowingly been synonomous with a global audience who share his journey. Truman has always been controlled by the show’s creator, Christoph (Ed Harris) who acts like the puppet master. He adds in drama and conflict if Truman’s life is going swimmingly. Carrey’s performance is a true tour de force thanks to his naive and subtle approach to the role. He is able to detract from the typecast view that he has created in his filmography thus far. It is because of his ability to switch between ranges so well that won him a Golden Globe for his troubles.

Man on the Moon (1999)

Following on from his critical and commercial success as Truman in The Truman Show, Carrey knocks it out of the park again in this biopic that seems him play Andy Kaufman, a man who redefined comedy in the 1970s. This film sees Carrey join forces with the brillint director Milos Forman and gives him the chance to show that The Truman Show performance wasn’t a stroke of luck. His portrayal of Kaufman is fantastic as we follow his rise in comedy and his stints on Saturday Night Live as well as the TV show Taxi which he starred in. The film overall isn’t the best but usually biopics allow for the actor portraying the subject to really standout as Carrey does here. He is the major draw and highlight but this isn’t a bad thing because he has such command on the role. Also hearing how he stayed in character offset shows his commitment and dedication to getting his performance right shows that he does take his roles seriously. His impersonation strikes the right tone, it is never over the top in classic Jim Carrey style and eventually the audience forgets that we are watching an actor rather than Kaufman himself.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

My favourite Jim Carrey performance comes in the form of this career-defining film following Joel (Carrey), a man unhappy with his life who finds out that his ex-girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) has had her memory wiped off him by the mysterious Lacuna Incorporated and shows him undergoing the same treatment to get rid of his memories of Clementine. Charlie Kaufman’s script is fantastic and won him a well-deserved Oscar that has redefined original screenplay writing in the 21st century. The concept is so bizarre and yet the humour is subdued within a darker context making way for the film to focus on the drama within Joel and Clementine’s relationship. Carrey’s performance should have garnered him an Academy Award nomination but sadly it wasn’t to be. His portrayal of Joel is tinged with sadness throughout. The idea of not being with Clementine initially to the realisation that he will lose all memories of her while he is being forced to relive the memories during his procedure. It’s a heartbreaking film about the breakdown of a relationship and is made real by the strength of Carrey and WInslet’s performance.

Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)

2004 was a resounding success for Carrey who made an unforgettable appearance in this popular adaptation of the best-selling series of the same name. Playing the villainous Count Olaf, Carrey channels his signature overtly expressive humour as his figuratively and literally towers over the three bauldelaire orphans who are subject to his care after the tragic death of their parents. The film is littered with stars including Joan Cusack, Timothy Spall and Meryl Streep but it is Carrey who shines the most. His performance was exactly how I envisioned Count Olaf would be when reading the books. The film overall strikes a completely different tone but Carrey’s performance is overly dramatic, unapologetically obnoxious and loud but most importantly, he has charisma which is crucial for the role. The film does have its flaws but Carrey’s performance is definitely not one. He is clearly having fun being in such a menacing role and it makes the film enjoyable to watch.

There are so many performances that could have been included in this list such as How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) and Bruce Almighty (2003) but I think that the films I have listed above really demonstrate Carrey at his best. Although he hasn’t done many major roles in recent years, i hope he does make a comeback because it’ll be interesting to see what kinds of roles he would take on.

Do you agree with the films I have picked? Which Jim Carrey performance and/or film is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below!

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Top 5 Kate Winslet Performances

After writing my post on Leonardo DiCaprio (which you can read here), it only makes sense to follow this on with a post on his most famous co-star, Kate Winslet. Following a meteoric rise during the 1990s, she also was nominated for a ton of Academy Awards before finally landing one in 2008. Her extensive resume has seen her play in period pieces, quirky indies and big-budget blockbusters. Winslet has become synonymous with the great British actresses of all time and is certainly among the best actresses working today.

Compiling a list of my top 5 performances was tricky because I knew instantly what they were; however, they come from the rise and peak of career so the last instalment is 2008. That isn’t to say that she hasn’t done good films since (the HBO series Mildred Pierce and Danny Boyle’s 2015 film Steve Jobs are proof of this) but these are the performances that stand out to me.

Here are my top 5 in chronological order:

Heavenly Creatures (1994)

Peter Jackson’s graphic retelling of the controversial Parker-Hulme murders shows the imagination of two teenage friends as they descend into madness and fix fantasy and reality. Melanie Lynskey plays working-class Pauline Parker and Kate Winslet plays the affluent Juliet Hulme. Proving her acting chops at a young age, Winslet commands the screen as sickly Juliet. Winslet is magnetic in her role as a neglected teen, crumbling in the aftermath of her parents’ travelling, her fight with tuberculosis and her parents’ eventual divorce and lack of love for their daughter. She creates a world with working-class Pauline and together the two become completely entwined in their fantasyland known as Borovnia where artists are celebrated and religion is frowned upon. We see the girls become violently inseparable as reality and fantasy become one until the film’s horrific conclusion. The film catapulted Winslet into the public eye and served as a great debut that has made a lasting impact and showed how fearless an actor she is from a young age. Juliet is headstrong and has a brilliant imagination which is underlined with severe manipulation and a cruel nature.

Titanic (1997)

So I have spoken about my love for this film in my Leonardo DiCaprio post and yes, this is the quintessential Winslet performance. James Cameron’s masterpiece sees Winslet stars as aristocrat passenger, Rose Dewitt Bukater, on the doomed 1912 liner. It’s the modern classic blockbuster that brings tears to my eyes every time. Winslet’s performance brought her a second Oscar nomination (the first being for 1995’s Sense and Sensibility) and first for Best Actress in a Leading Role. Winslet is perfect in the role of Rose, a young privileged woman crippled by the expectations of society. She longs for freedom and finds it when she meets the carefree, Jack (DiCaprio), a working-class artist who got his ticket through a lucky game of poker. They go through a lifetime of love within the space of a few days before the ship’s fate is sealed. We see Rose evolve throughout the film as the first act sees her trapped and unhappily engaged to Cal (Billy Zane) to finding love and freedom with Jack (DiCaprio) and the final act sees her lose that love but keeping her freedom. Rose’s evolution to unshackle herself from the expectations of society is a testament to Winslet’s ability to show Rose as more than a damsel in distress.

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Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

This film marked a huge turn in Winslet’s resume as she has become known for starring in period films. Charlie Kaufman’s insanely brilliant  Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind follows the hopeless Joel (Jim Carrey) as he becomes enamoured with the mysterious and colourful Clementine (Winslet). When their relationship falls apart, Clementine goes to the controversial Lacuna Incorporated where people have their memories swiped of a specific person to rid . Joel attempts to do the same towards Clementine but tries to resist as he longs to hold onto the memories. The film is quirky, confusing and dazzling. It won the Academy Award for his brilliant screenplay and Winslet gained her third Oscar nomination. Clementine is deeply flawed but she is full of wonder and is a perfect opposite to Joel’s constant pessimism. Whereas Joel’s memory erasure comes out of malice for Clementine, hers came from the sadness of living a life in sadness. She is on a constant push to find belonging and love. I remember seeing this film for the first time and being mesmerised by Winslet’s performance. The character of Clementine is among my favourites of all time (as I discussed in my post on women in film which you can read here).

The Reader (2008)

The film that finally bagged Winslet the Oscar,  The Reader is a World War II period film following a young teenager, Michael (David Kross), as he becomes involved in an affair with an older illiterate woman, Hanna Schmitz (Winslet), who is eventually arrested and tried for her involvement with the Nazi party. The first act of the film shows the affair and then skips straight to the trial as Michael has read about Hanna’s arrest in the paper. As we only hear about Hanna’s crimes rather than seeing them in the film, we see the other guards from the camp coerce her into taking the full blame for signing a document that authorised a mass killing despite the fact that she is illiterate. Her humiliation in being illiterate forces her to accept that it is her signature and she is sentenced to life in prison. It’s a deeply complex performance that shows a human beneath a monster. We see Hanna deteriorate as she truly understands what happened in the camp and it begins to destroy her as she teaches herself to read and write. It’s as though Hanna functioned in her own world which we saw at the beginning of the film and as she learns to read and write, her world opens up and she realises that reality exists and suffers the consequences of her actions. Winslet won the Best Actress in Leading Role for this but I firmly believe that she should have won the Supporting Actress gong for this and the Lead for  Revolutionary Road but sadly her performance in  The Reader was classed as lead for some reason. It’s a supporting role but a bloody good one.

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Revolutionary Road (2008)

Now for the film that should have won Winslet the Leading Actress Oscar, Revolutionary Road reunites Winslet and DiCaprio for the adaptation of the novel that centres on the Wheeler family and their struggle to achieve the American Dream in the 1940s. Winslet plays April Wheeler, the failed actress who is stuck in a life as a stay-at-home mum. This film was among the most hyped of the year as it was also directed by Winslet’s then-husband Sam Mendes as well. The film itself is brilliant and passionate as we’re taken through the couple’s relationship from its hopeful start to its tragic end. The character of April is extremely interesting as she refuses to fit the template of the 1950s housewife. She gets a job as a secretary and saves up money to move to Paris to start a new life. Aside from the two leads, Michael Shannon provides a very intense performance as the Wheelers’ neighbour, John, who has recently been discharged from an asylum and his mother, Helen who is played brilliantly by Kathy Bates. April’s descent into hatred for herself and her life is a distressing one to watch but the performance is breath-taking.

It goes without saying that Winslet is one of my favourite all-time actresses and I am excited to see what future projects she takes part in. She demonstrates time and time again her amazing range and the strong women she chooses to portray.

What do you think? What are your favourite Winslet performances? Let me know in the comments below!