From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Is "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" a tragedy?

Perhaps.

However, it's not because of the turmoil between Joel and Clementine, but because of the supporting characters and subplots surrounding the two protagonists.

In them, you can see Charlie Kaufman's pessimism. This pessimism isn't a simple tragedy, like life and death separations or floods of tears. It's not a superficial injury; rather, it's a deep-seated rejection and doubt. He questions the existence of perfect love.

At the same time, it's not just about love. It's about relationships, intimacy, family, and the perfect life. When passion and novelty fade, the trivialities of daily life begin to intrude, and our true selves gradually emerge, ultimately devolving into a messy situation.

But, is "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" just a tragedy?

Whether it's Mary, Joel, or Clementine, despite having their memories erased, they ultimately fall in love with the same person. Like a curse, they are always attracted to the same person and experience the same encounters, again and again.

If this isn't love?

So, did Charlie Kaufman give Joel and Clementine a positive ending merely for box office considerations, or does he still harbor a glimmer of hope for love?

Most likely, it's the latter.

After all, Charlie Kaufman has never worried about box office performance. He didn't need to deliberately write a happy ending for the sake of ticket sales.

In other words, it can be understood that Charlie Kaufman himself doesn't have a clear answer. This film is more like an exploration, a study, an adventure. Such a creative attitude is undoubtedly admirable.

All sorts of things are churning in my mind.

Sitting in front of the big screen, everyone can find their place and their story in the narrative. This panorama of modern love life can easily awaken the audience's memories and stir up a storm—

It's impossible to stay completely quiet.

Although the movie has ended, the emotional tsunami in my mind has just begun.

The entire audience, with each rise and fall of their breath, is swept into this storm, until all the credits have finished and the lights of the Angelika Film Center dim briefly.

It's not complete darkness. The lights of Manhattan's night penetrate from all directions, creating a jade-like atmosphere, allowing the audience to catch their breath briefly, to escape from their thoughts, and to carefully feel the surging emotions.

The blood is burning.

Then, the lights come on, and the darkness slowly recedes like a tide.

At this moment, I can no longer control myself, and I stand up and clap my hands. The collision of palms releases all the emotions in my chest.

Clap, clap, clap, clap, clap, clap.

Escalating!

Finally, Blair breaks free from her thoughts and looks around in astonishment, watching the figures gradually standing up around her—

So moved. So excited.

Tears are glistening in her eyes, but she can't control the upward curve of her lips.

A rolling heatwave spreads out.

Blair is still young. She hasn't experienced unforgettable love, let alone a painful breakup or a caged marriage. She can't understand the vicissitudes and bitterness of life depicted in the film. She can only vaguely feel Joel and Clementine's struggles, deeply loving each other yet hurting each other, trying to let go yet finding it difficult to give up. In the end, the complexity and relief in their smiles are enough to trap her in a tug-of-war of thoughts.

Looking at the scene before her at this moment, a scalding emotion surges in her chest amidst confusion.

Turning her head, Blair sees Karen weeping, covering her face.

Blair is startled, "Karen, are you okay?"

Karen shakes her head, but then nods. Her slightly trembling shoulders seem unable to bear the pressure any longer. Finally, she raises her head to look at Blair, breaking into a smile through her tears.

Karen looks at Blair's bewildered face and shakes her head, "I just... can't control myself."

"They, in the end, are still together, right?"

Blair pauses, then slowly nods.

Karen doesn't think much about it. The smile on her face fully blossoms. She ignores Blair, stands up straight, and claps her hands in oblivion, joining the crowd.

Blair exhales softly, and the image of Joel and Clementine smiling at each other inexplicably appears in her mind, and her mood soars again.

She knows that the story isn't that simple, and the ending might even represent another beginning; but at least, the movie has stirred up a storm in their minds, which is a huge success.

Suddenly, Blair also stands up and claps her hands forcefully.

Applause surges in from all directions, finally converging and colliding, firmly condensing into a rope, bursting out with incredible power.

Gradually, the audience in the surrounding high-rise buildings, watching the movie from strange angles, finally comes to their senses and joins this procession.

That sound wave continues to rise in a spiral, colliding with the surrounding high-rise buildings, creating reverberations. The layered echoes continue to merge into the applause, erupting with a magnificent momentum.

Vast and continuous.

Roaring, surging.

The vehicles coming and going on both sides can vaguely see the scene here. A dark mass of people is erupting with devastating energy, and the onrushing heatwave makes the hearts of the onlookers begin to accelerate.

Curiosity is quietly ignited.

No one expected that the Angelika Film Center would unbelievably become the focus of attention in Manhattan, and the ripples are continuing to spread.

But the Angelika Film Center at this moment has no mind to pay attention to passersby. The applause continues to rise unbelievably, and the audience up and down is all immersed in this frenzy, the power of clapping hands becoming more and more turbulent and more and more frenzied.

Clap, clap, clap! Clap, clap, clap!

Blair looks ecstatically at the endless heatwave in front of her. No words are needed. Every cell in her body can feel the enthusiasm and passion contained within. This is more direct and more impactful than any praise or any news headline:

"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is a success!

Despite bearing huge pressure, despite facing various controversies, despite the many factors involved, Anson once again continues his strength with solid and steady steps—

Following "The Butterfly Effect" and "Elephant", Anson completes a beautiful hat-trick outside of genre films. A non-box-office film, a non-awards season work, can still create a heatwave in his own way and with his own attitude, demonstrating his understanding and pursuit of actors with practical actions beyond the 'pretty face' label, building a brand new image step by step.

Just when everyone is complaining that Anson may be tied to Peter Parker, even before "Spider-Man 2" is released, Anson has already proven with practical actions that he is more important than a character, a superhero, or a comic book.

Blair can't wait to see the smug faces of those haters.

Thinking of this, Blair's clapping becomes more excited and more enthusiastic.