A key detail, worthy of attention.
In the movie, there's a scene where Mary and Dr. Howard have a conversation in Joel's apartment. Mary, having erased her past memories, tries to impress Dr. Howard by flaunting her knowledge. She showcases her intellectual prowess to engage in a deep conversation with Dr. Howard on an equal footing.
One such example is a poem by Alexander Pope:
"How happy is the blameless vestal's lot!
The world forgetting, by the world forgot.
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind!
Each prayer accepted, and each wish resigned."
In short, this is the core of the movie's theme.
Charlie Kaufman, the screenwriter, uses Mary's lines to drive this theme home, which reveals a deeper meaning. Moreover, the poem itself tells the tragic story of Pierre Abélard, a 12th-century French theologian, and his unfulfilled love with his student—a reflection of Mary and Dr. Howard's own relationship.
We all long for perfection. Perfection symbolizes eternity, invincibility, and the fulfillment of our desires. Yet, reality is often far from perfect.
Mistakes, regrets, pain, and imperfection—these are the true constants in life.
So, what should one do?
In the movie, Charlie Kaufman uses the relationship between Mary and Dr. Howard to provide an answer:
We must cherish the memories we have—the good, the bad, the happy, and the painful. They all become a part of us. There's no need to start over; instead, we should carry those scars and struggles forward into our new lives.
In essence, Joel and Clementine represent the surface-level narrative Charlie crafted for Hollywood. But Mary and Dr. Howard represent the deeper truth, the past, present, and future Charlie truly believes in.
At his core, Charlie is still a pessimist, with a certain sense of despair.
And Mary, she is the key to this understanding.
Of course, this isn't immediately apparent because Charlie knew that, to get Hollywood to fund the film, he had to hide his true message. He couldn't let the Hollywood executives easily uncover his secret.
But a close reading of the script will reveal the hidden truth.
Clearly, Kristen understood this.
Moreover, Kristen had her own interpretations and insights about the script. This is the real reason she agreed to take on the role.
It also confirms once again that Kristen is an actor with independent thought.
When others were shocked that Kristen willingly took a supporting role to Anson, she was busy reflecting on her identity and existence as an actor.
Because of this, it's no surprise that Kristen enjoys the current working atmosphere on set, and she appreciates the chemistry between Kate and Anson.
After waiting and observing for so long, it was finally Kristen's turn to step into the spotlight.
Her first scene? A face-off with Anson.
Joel has just discovered the existence of the "memory erasing clinic" and goes there to uncover the truth. Mary is at the front desk, greeting customers.
It's a simple scene with no real difficulty.
So, Michelle, the director, thought of adding some extra flair to the movie.
"Why don't we have Joel say something like, 'Haven't we met somewhere before?'"
Firstly, it would break the fourth wall of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, as well as the one in Spider-Man.
It would hint at Peter Parker and Mary Jane's reunion across parallel universes, which, when the movie is released, would definitely spark audience buzz.
Secondly, it would subtly connect to the "memory erasing clinic."
Even though the memories are erased, the procedure can't guarantee a 100% success rate. Some familiar images may still linger in the subconscious.
This could also serve as a clue for breaking the ice when Joel and Clementine meet for the third time.
However…
Anson wasn't a fan of the idea.
"In the movie, Joel and Mary never met. Adding such a line could lead to unnecessary confusion."
"Plus, Joel is Joel, and Mary is Mary. They each have their own storylines. If we deliberately remind the audience of other roles Kristen and I have played, it's like we're breaking the fourth wall ourselves, ruining the audience's immersion."
Michelle wasn't deterred, "It's just one line, it's barely a second long. If you don't pay close attention, you might not even notice it."
"The point is, those who notice it will definitely think of Spider-Man. Anson, this is a marketing strategy, I thought you'd be better at this than me."
Anson understood, of course—how could he not?
It's like Revolutionary Road. Even if the director didn't intentionally bring it up, when audiences saw Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet playing a married couple, they naturally thought of Titanic.
It's a marketing tactic.
But the issue is, "We can't let this overshadow the main story," Anson insisted.
"Director, Charlie's script seems chaotic and random, but in reality, everything is there for a reason."
"If the audience starts trying to figure out when and where Joel and Mary might have met, it creates a plot hole that weakens the story's integrity."
"We can't take that risk."
If Joel and Mary had actually met before, and it made sense from a timeline perspective, then one extra line wouldn't be an issue.
But in this case, there's no way to make it work. Adding such a line could become a disaster.
Michelle stared at Anson in frustration, "Anson, you've killed the fun. Kristen, aren't you going to protest?"
Kristen, who had been quietly observing, felt Michelle's hopeful gaze land on her, practically burning a hole in her.
Initially, Kristen shared Michelle's thoughts. It's just one line, it wouldn't hurt, and it could add some extra fun.
But after thinking it over, Kristen had to admit, "I agree with Anson."
Michelle was exasperated, "Kristen!"
Kristen shrugged, "Director, Anson's concerns are valid. We can't take that risk."
Anson watched the playful director and chuckled softly, "Director, all the fun you're talking about is built on the assumption that the audience has seen Spider-Man, but our target audience for this movie is entirely different. Are you sure they'd even get the reference?"
Michelle: …
She was at a loss for words, glaring at Anson in frustration, "You're no fun."
Anson spread his hands, "Why don't you ask Charlie for his opinion?"
Michelle blinked a few times, but ultimately swallowed her words.
Sensing the moment was right, Anson continued, "How about this: Mary can give Joel an extra glance."
Michelle's interest was piqued, "Go on."
Anson explained, "We can assume that when Clementine had her memory erased, Mary reviewed her file, and maybe she saw Joel's photo. So when Joel shows up, she recognizes him right away. She knows exactly what's happening—the ex has found out."
"From a story perspective, this can be explained and wouldn't disrupt the plot's integrity."
"And for those who came to the theater because of Spider-Man, that glance can hold a different meaning, and it would still work as a marketing tactic."