Monday, March 19, 2012

The eternal sunshine of my spotless mind!

Courtesy
All of us, at one time or the other have wondered about having some different abilities than what we actually have. Especially as kids, with our imaginations at the peak, sky was the limit then. I for one, as a kid - hated eating rice. And rice was something i had to put up with every single day. It just didn't look fair to me. Subjecting my mouth, my tongue, my taste buds to this torture seemed like a crime of the highest order. I remember praying to God to provide me with a zip for my tummy, so that i would be able to put the things that i don't like to eat directly in my stomach without having to taste it! And the yummy ones, i could then eat normally. LOL. The wish was never granted, but it made for a good childhood memory. (I still wish for it sometimes.)

My new muse now is that what if there was a way to erase the memories we didn't want to keep. Not because there is no space, we don't even use the whole of our brain. But those memories which are really hurtful, how i wish there was a way to get rid of them and move on without having a knowledge of its happening ever again. 'Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind' - Blame this movie for getting me to think on these lines. The movie totally freaked me out.

It's about two people falling in love and carrying on a relationship for some time. But they get bored and frustrated with each other and end up apart. She doesn't want to remember him or anything about him cos it's too difficult to move on. She goes for a memory-erasure-procedure where every detail connected to him in her life is taken out of her system! He gets to know about this, and decides to undergo it himself too. But as the doctors erase his memory one by one, towards the end he doesn't wish to continue with it and tries to hold on to one last memory. He struggles, but alas! It's erased permanently. Much after that, the same two people meet again. Both do not remember each other, but they get together again to live happily ever after.

Courtesy
There's one part of the movie, where they find a tape which was recorded by the doctor before their memory was erased. They listen to it, and it's unbelievable! That part totally freaked me out. How would it be to forget the memories that have been the closest to your heart, some of the deepest emotions. And then one fine day, when you have no clue something so major ever happened in your life, you stumble upon something that tells you something so ghastly about yourself. That must be even more painful and horrifying than living with the hurt all along!

The movie was a work of fiction. But it set me musing as to what i would do if i really had a choice to undergo a memory-erasure-procedure. Would i ever go for it? Would i be able to let go of any memories, however painful they be? Would i be prepared to lose a part of my life never to remember it again? Would i try to hang on to it too? It's a momentary feeling, wishing to be able to not remember something. But if i really had a choice, then? Hmmm....

What would you guys do? Leave a comment and let me know!




18 comments:

  1. Very well written! :)

    I loved this statement in the movie
    "Blessed are the forgetful,for they get the better even of their blunders."

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    1. Thanks Anup... Yup... that is a beautiful line with the meaning so simple, still so deep...!

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  2. The secret to letting go of painful memories is not to forgive and forget but to remember fully and yet be able to forgive. I don't think it is ever possible to forget pain that has been gifted to you. Perhaps one shouldn't try to forget it either. Love the movie too.

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    1. Very true Subho Da... pain in all its glory shud probably b suffered thru and then moved on...! If only letting go of pain was nt so tough!

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  3. it appears to be a nice movie...I gotta watch this... :O

    I agree with u Pranita that it would be horrible to imagine myself losing my memories...any...no matter they are good or bad...afterall they are mine...my experience... :P :P :P

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    1. You should watch this movie...! It's different... A definite one-time watch... But it might get a lil confusing.. So better check out its review before watching now that you know that it is about..!

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  4. Good post...We all have strange wishes not only in childhood but now at this age too.
    And for the movie, it was one of the best works of Jim Carrey, which would compel the viewer to get lost in such thoughts...
    I would suggest you see Carrey's one more such movie The Truman Show, which would give you similar thoughts.

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    1. Oh... is it? I have that movie... haven't watched it yet... L watch it soon! Thanks!! :)

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    2. Watched this movie a few years back with my husband and we both loved it. The movie Inception was also based on a similar theme. Do watch The Truman Show, that one is amazing too !
      Glad that you wrote on movies that are thought provoking - keep it up !
      and take care,

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    3. Hey.. thanks for stopping by! I 've watched inception.. totally loved it's concept too... I gotta watch The Truman Show now... lotso ppl suggesting it.. big tym i watchd it! :)

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  5. Quite an interesting story...But I am not sure whether I would like to erase the memory of a person, however bad he is. I believe in controlling the thought process.
    Good post...

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    1. Yes... Erasing is like running away... We gotta keep it n deal with it... There are always a few weak moments in life which tempts us that wish we could forget... but then as they say, Time heals everything!

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  6. This film is truly artistic, emphasizing on love, with rarity of science and neurotic behavior. Absolutely love this movie, a love story of the modern era.

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    1. Yuppp!!! It was a movie which blew my head off.. It was touching at the same time got me wondering !!!

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  7. This film must have been quite an epic.How did I miss it? :) Gonna watch this for sure!!! :) Nice one Pranita ,I never knew such a movie with an awesome story line existed!!!

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    1. Definitely a must watch!!!! U ll love it...!

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  8. I too nvr liked rice. I still don't like them.

    I feel like watching the movie now. It is looking like a sweet romantic movie.
    And
    I dont want to erase any memory. Good or bad, they are part of my life.
    About the post, it is beautifully written. I like the way you crafted the whole post :) :)

    P.S. PRANITA is an unique name. My sister's name is also Pranita :D

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    1. Hey Prasoon! :) M glad to have found someone who shares my dislike for rice! Hehe... The movie is a definite watch.. If u liked the idea, u ll surely love the movie!

      Wow! I know very few ppl who share my name! :)

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