MovieChat Forums > Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) Discussion > A bit confused.

A bit confused.

posted 9 years ago by Cuisine
8 replies | jump to latest

I just got done watching this masterfully done film and I loved it, but I do have a few questions. I am in no way trying to point out flaws, but instead I honestly think I may have missed something -- which wouldn't be too farfetched due to my video buffering so much during watching it.

At first the procedure is being done at the Lacuna office, and then we see him walk home until he passes out in his apartment, only to have the procedure done on him again. I am 100% sure I missed some dialogue explaining this and was wondering if someone here could clarify for me.

Another question: how would the practice of memory removal even be legalised? Even if it was somehow legalised, how would Joel not know about such a procedure? Would it not have a vast amount of media coverage when the procedure was discovered, invented or implemented? That aspect didn't seem to be too consistent with the world in which the movie was portraying, so I was wondering if anyone here could answer those thoughts I had during the film.

Thanks in advance to anyone who decides to answer or explain away any of my questions!

:)

[–] LastCubScout 9 years ago

The procedure isn't done at the office. You sign up for the procedure at the office, but the procedure itself is performed in your bed as you sleep.

In that world, i would guess the procedure would be legalized as much as, say, plastic surgery is. It's just changing or altering something about yourself that you're not happy with medically. In this case, there's not even any invasive surgery performed. I also get the sense that the Lacuna company was in its extreme infancy, so not many people or the media were aware of it yet.

[–] Cuisine 9 years ago

Thanks for the quick reply and for clearing up my confusion about the procedure process. I knew I'd missed something so kudos to you for explaining it to me!

As to your explanation or thoughts on my next question/s, I can see where you're coming from but my questions remain unanswered in my eye. If such a technology existed it could be abused to all hell and would create many more issues than it clears up, and the fact that it's legal in the film's universe remains a mystery to me personally. And even if Lacuna was in its 'extreme infancy', there is no way that it wouldn't generate media buzz. We're talking about a procedure that can be performed legally to remove memory here; that's a groundbreaking discovery and would be scooped up by the media in a heartbeat, don't you think?

Anyways, again, thank you a lot for the explanation and your thoughts on my questionings about the film's logic, even if you didn't quite settle it for me personally.

[–] LastCubScout 9 years ago

Well, just the fact that Lacuna exists in that universe indicates that it takes place in a parallel universe, so there's no real way to know what the nature of science advances and the media are in that world. Also, awareness and buzz about the procedure is hindered by the fact that everyone who has gone through it doesn't remember they've had it or that they've gone to the company in the first place, and everyone that knows them isn't supposed to talk about it.

The technology was starting to be abused, as evidenced by Kirsten Dunst being shocked that she went through it. It's the reason she decided to undermine the company at the end. In the original ending, it turns out that Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey have gone through it multiple times - they just keep returning over and over again.

[–] Cuisine 9 years ago

Okay, that makes a lot of sense. I was hoping someone could explain it away and you did for the most part.

Thank you a lot for clearing up those thoughts and criticisms I had!

[–] paulslove 8 years ago

Patrick's identity theft was a clear sign of how a procedure like this could be abused. I love how the film shows that, if any procedure like this were to ever exist, you couldn't trust everyone not to abuse it.

[–] Em0411 8 years ago

I think since they sign their permission to have it done, it becomes legal. It's a bit of a stretch though, I agree, which is why this movie is considered partially science fiction.

When you get up in the morning, how do you decide what shade of black to wear? (Shallow Grave)

[–] ck01036 8 years ago

The procedure which was performed at the office was the mapping of memories so that the technicians could perform the procedure at your house. The procedure needed to happen at your house because if you had the procedure done at the office and then wake up at the office, you would obviously know that you have had your memory wiped clean. If you wake up in your own bed feeling like you are hung over then you don't know that you have had the procedure, and you don't know that you have forgotten your former love.

[–] richardecredico 8 years ago

'Suspension of disbelief' is a prerequisite for film to work.