My favorite screenwriter (yes, I have one) is by far Charlie Kaufman. He has written two of the most creative screenplays in the history of the world, Adaptation and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I wrote a few weeks ago that I had to say goodbye to a close friend. Well, I had to say goodbye to someone else. However, this person just wasn’t just a good friend or someone I dated for a while, this person was one of my best friends and someone for whom I love. For a life-long commitment-phoebe, that’s hard for me to say.
Unfortunately, saying goodbye to this person at this stage in our lives was the right thing to do. (Though I’m not sure you can ever truly say goodbye to anyone who leaves such an imprint in your life) The Shakespearian-like tragedy of this relationship is that minus one substantial variable, we would have an amazing relationship and possibly even a marriage.
Anyway, without turning this into a session with Dr Laura, I’ve been going through a rough time lately. Between saying goodbye to a close friend and then having to say goodbye to a best friend that I love a short time later, I haven’t been this melancholy since KU lost to Syracuse in the NCAA championship game on my birthday two years ago. In all seriousness though, I haven’t been this sad since my mom died.
I have to admi
t that what scares me the most is how I will be remembered by this person. In Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, both Jim Carrey’s character, “Joel” and Kate Winslet’s character, “Clementine” have their memories erased after an unsuccessful and painful relationship. Halfway through his mind-erasing procedure, “Joel” starts having doubts about giving up his memories. Finally, as the last of his memories are about to be erased forever, he has this conversation with “Clementine” in his memory … JOEL
I still thought you were going to save me. Even after everything.
CLEMENTINE
I know.
JOEL
It would be different, if we could just give it another go around.
CLEMENTINE
Remember me. Try your best. Maybe we can.
Perfect.
In this scene, Clementine knows that “now” isn’t the right time for their relationship.
Clementine wants Joel to try his best to remember, to try his best in life – and everything will be fine.
Clementine realizes that life is strange enough, and that there is enough magic in the moonlight, that maybe someday they’ll find each other again.
Clementine’s last words to Joel are exactly how I feel right now.
I want this person to remember. I want her to try her best in her life and try her best to remember everything.
And when I wonder if I will ever talk to this person again, or see her big, blue eyes again, or laugh with her again, or hug her again, or wonder if we will ever get another go around - all I can say is ...
Remember me. Try your best. Maybe we can.
7 comments:
I have no doubt in my heart that she will.
I hope she remembers too.
Any girl would be lucky to have you Bill! Do not forget that!
Bravo young man- what you did took courage and selflessness, because deep down you knew that in order to love another, there must be peace in yourself. She will remember, never doubt that; no one ever loses that part of their heart they once gave away. What's meant to be will return again- keep your head up my friend!
Nicole has lost more than she will ever find Bill.
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