In life, you can't have the good without the bad. It's part of the bittersweet technicality of memory and we have to live with it every day. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind explores what life would be like if we were given the option to erase that which we do not want to remember and brings us face to face with the impact of such a decision.

Jim Carrey plays Joel, a timid recluse who meets and falls in love with the eccentric Clementine, played by Kate Winslet. The two fall out of love rather brutally and Clementine decides to scientifically wipe her mind of her relationship with Joel. And this is just the back story.

Joel learns of Clementine's decision the hard way and also decides to have the procedure done. The film spends most of its time floating through Joel's psyche as he wanders around from memory to memory, witnessing them being erased one-by-one when he suddenly comes to a painful realization -- that losing the bad also means losing the good.

Such a clever tale exploring the twisted inner workings of the mind could only come from Charlie Kaufman, who has also penned such mindbenders as Being John Malkovich and Adaptation. Yet again, the witty Kaufman strikes a very human nerve with Sunshine, which contains universal themes that everyone should be reminded of from time to time.

Joel and Clementine are very three-dimensional characters with traits and shortcomings of the most primal and basic nature. They are relatable, real and addictive, causing our hearts to root for them as they fight a hopeless battle of the psychological kind.

Carrey continues to confirm his status as a well-rounded jack-of-all-trades, playing quite possibly his most down-to-earth role yet (and yes, I'm including his stylized acting in The Majestic). Similarly, Winslet shines as Clementine for the exact opposite reasons -- she's quirky as hell, a wonderful departure from an actress who typically pursues more somber roles.

The film's supporting characters are entertaining in their own right, but don't really add much to the narrative. Their function serves little more than to break up the action with humorous little vignettes. It's nice to see a non-Frodo Elijah Wood or an underwear-clad Kirsten Dunst, but they're just distractions from the only plot that really matters in the film.

Sunshine's highlights extend well beyond its top-notch acting, with subtle yet aesthetically pleasing visuals. Images blur and colors fade as Joel's memories wither away. These simple yet powerful techniques should've been employed more often rather than less to provide a consistent motif, but they are effective nonetheless.

There's much more to say about the film's themes and concepts, but not without spoiling much of the fun and creative bits. To call Sunshine thought-provoking would be an understatement, as it really acts as a cinematic mirror that's held up to your life, whether you like it or not.

Ultimately, it's a strong film because it explores fundamental human emotions and themes, but approaches them in a novel manner that is visually, creatively and emotionally unique. It's also a great union of commercial and independent cinema, blending the psychological ambience of indie films with the technical and theatrical proficiency of big-budget flicks to create an amalgam that can be thoroughly enjoyed by anyone.