Living with your Past

I try to build threads through my blogpost. These last days, I’m exploring the theme of pain. I was talking about loss on Sunday. Today, I’m going to share about how to deal with that pain. To help me, a film on the verge of celebrating its 20th anniversary next year. One of the strangest (and greatest) movie I’ve ever seen: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.And if you don’t want to see it, don’t worry. In this e-mail, i’m going to talk about the plot, the characters, love, hate, healing and philosophy. All of this, without mentioning any twists to preserve your viewing pleasure. Our story begins with Joel, a depressive-looking man waking from his bed with a hangover. He skips work and steps onto a train he’s not supposed to be on. As he says himself, “I’m not an impulsive person”.

 He arrives at a beach and sees Clementine. He wants to approach her but lacks the courage. He meets her again in a cafe, then on the train home. Clementine decides to talk to him. He discovers a radiant but sensitive young woman. As opposites attract, they meet. Clementine seems to be the grain of madness that Joel lacks. Joel seems to be the grain of stability that Clementine lacks. The next day, an unforgettable first date. And we find Joel in his car, dropping Clementine off at her home. A strange man knocks on the window. He asks if everything’s all right.

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