by Jaimie Grijalba
When I first saw this film, directed by Michel Gondry, I thought that it was an ok film, as I was influenced by some other people who knew it and loved it. Those people hyped it beyond any reasoning and made me weary of liking it, as they were so obsessed with it, that they thought the message of the film was something completely different than was originally intended.
People obsessed with film are all over the world, and they are kind folk, the internet community can come together to honor a filmmaker, an actor, cry and laugh together. Like Wonders, a gorgeous community of people obsessed with film, that talk through comments and pieces about every element of films, and maybe this romantic countdown has been one of the most impressive in regards of participation and how passionate people have been defending the films they like.
Now, the people I knew weren’t the kind folk of Wonders. They weren’t obsessed with film, they were obsessed with one film, this one, and that just makes me dizzy just to think about it. They were so enamored with this movie that a girl would dye her hair just to be more like Clementine with every nuance and witty remark that she has in this movie. Then it was the pictures, she and him would imitate the poses and the ambience of certain shots and try to be as similar as they could to the iconic scenes of this movie. Jack & Clem was how they called themselves and yes, it was puke inducing at times.
Now, I won’t make this post about how I hate people like them (even if I do),but about the misconceptions of people who love this movie. At times, after a breakup people quote this movie to death, as if they wanted their memory wiped out by Lacuna Inc., like the character played by Jim Carrey. But, if they did anything more than watch the movie, they wouldn’t consider that. A good fan is someone who understands its message.
Forgetting is the easy way out. One must always remember and find themselves learning of what they did so they can’t commit the same mistakes. They don’t come back together (Clem and Jack) because they are “destined” to be together, but because they never learn of their mistakes and thus find themselves being attracted by the same superfluous and superficial things that made them be together in the first place.
In a way this is one of the best romantic movies ever made, not because of how strong the relation is, but because it manages to describe accurately how people react to relationships going sour. People do stupid things, they suffer, they want to forget, and then go and end up with the same kind of person, and that’s because they don’t want to learn, they just want to forget, and forgetting is wrong.
So, after initially just liking the movie, and after having my share o of experiences, now I can say that truly this movie is a masterpiece, not only because of the amazing devices used, the technology present, the scifi elements that have always attracted me about this particular movie; not because of its wonderful visual techniques and tricks, and not because of how romantic it is, but more than anything because it reflects exactly how stupid we are when we fall in love.
Exactly, Jaime, what makes this movie so great is that it gets at the truth of what it’s like to be human. You would think that, since all movies are made by humans, this would happen more often, but it doesn’t.
In a way this is one of the best romantic movies ever made, not because of how strong the relation is, but because it manages to describe accurately how people react to relationships going sour. People do stupid things, they suffer, they want to forget, and then go and end up with the same kind of person, and that’s because they don’t want to learn, they just want to forget, and forgetting is wrong.
Excellent observations here Jaimie, said with great passion and conviction. I happen to agree complete with your sentiments and summary judgement about this sensory film, which is forged by memory, and fueled by a cerebral and emotional context. Jon Brion’s musical score is brilliant, and the leads are utterly astounding. Wonderful review my friend!
The film is also existential horror and sci-fi, though the center is romantic. One of my favorites films. A refreshing read!
I’ve always approached this as an f/sf movie — one that has romantic elements to be sure, but primarily a technofantasy — and so it’s refreshingly interesting to see it approached primarily as a romance. Many thanks for such a perceptive piece, Jaimie.
not because of its wonderful visual techniques and tricks, and not because of how romantic it is, but more than anything because it reflects exactly how stupid we are when we fall in love.
Bingo!
I’ve liked this film even more on repeat viewings like you and it’s one that gains in prestige over time. It’s a really heartbreaking film and the performances are tremendous. Love the sense of humor that the film has too.
Pure cinema and perhaps the most unique of all the films to make the list of romantic films. Interesting way to approach it.
I haven’t seen this in awhile, but I recall loving it and ranking it as one of the best films of its respective year. This was Kaufman and Carrey “the sad clown” at the top of their game. I fear returning to it, however, as the twee dreck Gondry has procured since then stains this. His style has grown so tiresome, but it was magical here.
Oh, and interesting take on it in your review. I think you “got it.”
The film is at once whimsical, imaginative and scathingly clear-eyed about the illusions we bring to romance. And you totally get it. Nice post!