Film Opening AnalysisEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

IntroductionThe Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a romantic science-fiction comedy-drama following a couple that have erased each other from their memories. The film stars Jim Carey and Kate Winslet, was directed by Michel Gondry and written by Charlie Kaufman. The film is a non-linear narrative as we watch Jim Carey’s character (Joel) re-experience his memories of Kate’s character (Clementine) in reverse order as they are being deleted which can help establish the science-fiction drama.

SettingIn this opening the setting is quite small and close quarters. This can signify how the character is a shut in and is a reclusive person. This is an important aspect of the character and is used and even mentioned throughout the film. The positioning of all the furniture is also important as they are all in the same area meaning he spends a significant amount of his time in the same small area which further supports the recluse nature of the character. This being a critical part of the character makes it all the more important that the setting is the way it is.

Later in the opening Joel is standing on a train platform as he narrates. Joel is quite indistinguishable from the other people standing on the platform and sometimes blends into the dull background of the bedroom, station, and beach. This signifies how Joel, at this point in the story is just another sheep and doesn’t want to be seen or stand out. The dull, pale setting signifies his bland and what seems like an uncaring nature.

EditingThe editing in this opening is simple and does not contain many cuts which can connote a very long drawn out opening which represents Joel’s attitude towards his life at that point in the narrative.

As more action starts to occur the more cuts there are. This conveys more motion and speed to the audience which emphasizes the action as Joel is running to the train. The longer cuts have the adverse effect as they create a more drawn out and slow paced feeling.

As Joel is on the beach there are a couple of jump cuts which create the effect of time passing which tells the audience that he has been there for a while.

LightingThroughout this opening there is both low key and high key lighting. There is low key lighting as Joel wakes up at the beginning of the opening which can signify how he may not want to get up, not just on that day in particular but for the rest of his life.

This low key lighting takes up half of Joel but this is the only half we can see which signifies how he puts up a wall between himself and people but he knows on the other side of him he is someone that he should be showing to people.

There is also high key lighting when he is on the beach but it is de-saturated which creates a feeling that it is still low key. This can connote how things may not be as they seem at this point in the story and need to be looked at closely to understand what is truly happening.

CameraThe first camera shot is a hand held one which creates a shaky effect of Joel’s face as he is waking up which can give the audience a sense of instability in his state of mind which becomes very clear why as the film continues past the opening.

As Joel starts to sit up from his bed there is a master shot which establishes the room he is in and allows the audience to see what place he spends his time in which reflects on him.

When Joel is standing at the train station there is a long shot which shows the people surrounding him. This establishes the setting and the atmosphere of the station. It can also signify how he just stands and blends into the rest of the population from a distance.

There is a long shot as Joel is walking on the beach which contains no other people and only the setting. This signifies his isolation at this point in the story and how he may push people away.

CostumesCostumes are also an important part of this opening

Joel wears very low key and dull clothing which connotes his passive and dull attitude which is very useful for introducing the character as he is at this point of the film to the audience. His costume also allows him to blend into the masses that wear the same dull clothes which signifies Joel’s wanting to not stand out and just fall into the crowds. Another important costume is the woman’s on the beach which we later find out she is the secondary main character (Kate Winslet). Her orange jumper is very important to establishing her character as she is essentially the opposite of Joel. The jumper is orange which can signify deceit and distrust as well as passion and domination which we later find out is what the character (Clementine) is very much like. This use of orange in jumper is a very useful way of establishing her.

Make up and Hair There is very minimal make up in this opening which can signify the very direct nature of the film and how it doesn't really beat around the bush when trying to tell you something.

There is some make up as Joel is waking up with the redness of his face and his quite pale skin. The redness can tell us its cold in the apartment and can also signify Joel's cold and distant persona. The paleness of his skin tells us that he doesn't go out very much which shows us how he likes to be on his own in the bubble he has created around him.

Joel's hair is not messy but is not well kempt which signifies how he is distracted and may not have time for things like that at this time in the story. It can also signify how Joel knows no one will pay attention to him so he does not bother.

Clementine's blue hair is also important. Blue signifies strength, power, and stability which is ironic for Clementine which we find out later in the but also tells us how Clementine may put on the act of strength within herself.

PropsTo begin with, Joel's bed is a pull out sofa bed. This further establishes Joel as this man who lives alone in this small area and spends his time eating, relaxing, and sleeping in this same small area.

The small little things such as the thing hanging from the shades or the stuff filling the shelves all signify how Joel likes to keep things that may hold memories that he doesn't want to forget. This is important to the story as it tells the audience that Joel normally wouldn't get rid of memories which signifies how much emotion and memory he has with Clementine.

Another important prop is the briefcase Joel carries with him. This connotes how he needs to be prepared and always thinks ahead which further supports the idea that Joel is not an impulsive person and is very careful. This establishment is useful as it further shows theclear contrast between him and Clementinethat we see as the film continues.

Sound

To begin with, the music in this entire opening is quite off centre with some of its out of place notes and variation in tone. This creates an uneasy feeling and uncertainty in the audience which is a useful for creating an unbalanced and enigmatic feeling that accompanies Joel as well as establishing the science fiction genre as it is slightly out of the ordinary.

The diegetic sound in this opening is quite loud and clear. This helps establish the setting to the audience. The sound also connotes that Joel is aware of his surroundings as he is a cautious and wary person.

There is also non-diegetic sound of Joel voicing over. This is very useful for allowing the opening to continue while still establishing the setting and the character. The voice-over signifies how Joel is reclusive and does not openly talk unless he needs to. This also supports his observant nature.

Conventions challenged

A convention that is not in this opening but is is an establishing shot. There is no establishing shot in the opening as it would not work in Joel's small apartment but instead there is a master shot. The choice to use a master shot instead can signify the closed in life Joel has until he meets Clementine. There being no establishing shot can establish the film as close quarters which also helps establish it as a romance genre. This can also connote how Joel is a closed in and introverted person.

Another convention that is not met is opening with action as the opening is very slowed paced and calm. This establishes the tone of the film to the audience while also signifying Joel's state of mind at this point in the film.

Conventions MetThe convention of enigma is definitely met in this opening as many things leave the audience unsure about why some things have/are happening. For example, Joel takes a train to Montauk and doesn’t completely explain why and it seems like he doesn’t know either. Also as he says pages of his journal have been ripped out and he hasn’t written and entry in two years. All this are effective and useful enigma and are all answered later in the story.

Another convention met is introduction to main character. The first shot is of Joel and we follow him as he explains himself which gives the audience a effective introduction as it shows how quiet and reclusive he is.

Joel's voice over is also another met convention as well as the non-diegetic sound of the music that is playing. Both of these things are useful for establishing the character and tone of the film.

Summary Overall this film opening is slow paced and calm which establishes the tone of the film to the audience but does not particularly establish the genre which is useful as it is a multi genre film. This can create enigma which allows the film to take the audience to be taken off guard by the events and overall theme of the film.

Why is like this openingI like this opening as it is at the end of the narrative of the film which allows you to piece together and understand why certain things are the way they are which creates a more immersive experience when watching the film as Joel is trying to do the same thing. The opening also only focuses on one character which makes you think he is the only important thing that is happening which Joel also thinks as he only remembers being without the other main character due to the erasing of her from his memory. I also like this film as it raises questions on the social implications of freely erasing your memory and how it would effect people.