From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Throughout his career, Charlie Kaufman has been hailed as a genius, his talent beyond doubt; however, his screenwriting works, due to being too imaginative and unconventional, deviate from the range acceptable to mainstream audiences, resulting in consistently mediocre market responses. None of his works have ever grossed over $100 million at the North American box office.

Let alone a hundred million, even fifty million is difficult.

"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is no exception.

When this movie was released in 2004, it was met with cheers from film critics and art enthusiasts alike, achieving a high score of eighty-nine points on Metacritic and sparking widespread discussion among seasoned movie fans.

Subsequently, it earned nominations for Best Actress and Best Original Screenplay at the following year's Oscars, and Charlie Kaufman won the Best Original Screenplay award.

Undoubtedly, this is a classic that has not faded even after twenty years. Instead, it has been polished and refined by time, radiating a pure brilliance, once again proving that classics, like fine wine, only get better with age.

This is Charlie Kaufman's highest-grossing work in his career.

In some ways, Charlie Kaufman is similar to geniuses like Van Gogh.

They are trapped in their own thoughts; the world they see, touch, and feel is completely different, and they express it through art. However, people of their time cannot decipher their thought codes, so they consider their works insignificant. It is not until many years later that people begin to realize the value of their works.

Of course, Charlie Kaufman is fortunate. Van Gogh was not recognized until after his death, and he never received any affirmation during his lifetime. Charlie, on the other hand, doesn't need that. Four Oscar nominations, one Cannes, and one Venice Film Festival main competition, along with a Best Original Screenplay Oscar and a Venice Jury Prize, mean he has been seen.

Unfortunately, the general public seems to always regard him as a madman.

In the twenty years since "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," Charlie has only released four works. Because no director can portray the world he imagines, he began directing himself, but finding investment has become increasingly difficult.

Reality is so cruel.

However, with every gain, there is a loss, and conversely, with every loss, there is a gain.

"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" may not have received corresponding recognition in theaters, but after its DVD release, it accurately found its target audience, slowly but surely radiating its charm in the sales and rental market.

Anson likes Charlie Kaufman.

In Charlie's filmography, Anson likes the more lighthearted and absurd "Being John Malkovich," and also the more profound and melancholic "Synecdoche, New York." Of course, he also loves the romantic "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind."

In his past life, this movie starred two top superstars, Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet, who delivered performances that were both crazy and neurotic, yet filled with sorrow and bitterness in this imaginative film.

Honestly, the Oscar nomination for Kate Winslet for Best Actress is worthy of applause and recognition, but ignoring Jim Carrey is equally reprehensible.

Ultimately, the Academy looks down on Jim Carrey's style of comedic performance, even denying Jim Carrey's contribution to comedic performance with stubborn prejudice—

"The Truman Show" was not nominated, "Man on the Moon" was not nominated, and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" was also not nominated.

In Anson's view, this is not Jim Carrey's failure, but the loss of the Oscars.

And now, the script for "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" is in Anson's hands. Should he strive for it? Should he replace Jim Carrey in performing this role?

More importantly, does he believe his performance can surpass Jim Carrey's? Or, to put it another way, not surpass but interpret his own characteristics, giving the role and the movie different colors? Is he confident that he can bring a different charm to the film?

Thoughts surged for a moment.

Across from him, Edgar didn't disturb Anson, but he was constantly observing.

For the previous few scripts, Anson had only flipped through them briefly. As he said, he determined his thoughts after looking at the first three pages and the last two pages.

But this script was different. Anson read it very carefully and fell into deep thought.

After waiting patiently for a moment, Edgar spoke, interrupting Anson's immersed state.

"Do you like it?"

The words were a question, but the eyes and expression seemed particularly certain.

Anson nodded, revealing a smile, "Who can refuse Charlie Kaufman?"

"Actually, in Charlie Kaufman's scripts, actors have a kind of detached state. The screenwriter's presence is too strong, so that the actor becomes a puppet in the screenwriter's hands, following his involvement into his world."

"No actor wants to be a puppet."

"But at the same time, Charlie Kaufman's scripts require actors to delve into the inner world of the characters, exploring deeper levels of thinking in imaginative flights of fancy. This tests the actor's wisdom."

"Not just acting skills, but also thinking about the role, the script, and life."

"So, this is a test."

"If the actor can comprehend his own things, he can shine brightly; if not, he will become Charlie Kaufman's puppet, saying all the lines that Charlie Kaufman wants you to say."

"God."

"Isn't this an interesting thing?"

At this time, what more words were needed?

Looking at Anson, who was beaming with enthusiasm, the answer was already more than obvious.

This was the first time Edgar had seen Anson like this.

If possible, Edgar also hoped to see more of Anson like this in the future.

The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, and Edgar gestured towards the other script in Anson's hand, "What about it?"

"50 First Dates"?

"It's good, it's very good. I can understand why you chose it, but it's not Charlie Kaufman."

Anson's answer made Edgar chuckle.

In fact, Edgar slightly preferred "50 First Dates." It was light, simple, and purely romantic. They could create a perfect dream lover image.

But on second thought, such a dream lover image was still a standard pretty face; and it was too predictable. From Hugh Grant to Richard Gere to Ashton Kutcher and so on, there were indeed too many actors on the market aiming for this audience, making it impossible to highlight Anson's personal characteristics.

"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" was an adventure, an alternative romantic love type. If it could bring the impression of an art house youth like "When Harry Met Sally," that would be perfect. This was also the reason Edgar brought this project.

Honestly, Edgar expected Anson to pick out a work, but he didn't harbor any hope and wasn't in a hurry for the time being; he didn't expect that Anson would actually pick out a project.

Raising his gaze again, Edgar carefully looked at Anson's face, his thoughts swayed left and right, and he made a choice in a flash.

"So, we should go all out to strive for it?"