Eternal Sunshine on A Spotless Mind

Joel Barish and Clementine Kruczynski are polar opposites which is what may have attracted each to the other, but which may have also been the cause of whatever problems in their relationship. Joel is introverted and controlled, while Clementine, her hair always dyed a bright color, is extroverted, a slightly ditsy free spirit, and impulsive. It is that impulse that leads to Clementine going to Lacuna, Inc., a company, run by Dr. Howard Mierzwiak, that can erase people or other things from one's memory, she who had Joel erased from hers as an aftermath of their breakup. In learning what Clementine did in she not recognizing him in subsequent chance meetings, Joel decides to undergo the procedure himself to rid his memory of her. Technicians Stan Fink and Patrick Wertz are assigned to Joel's case, the procedure done in one overnight period while the client is asleep to awaken with no knowledge of it having happened. During the procedure, Joel's subconscious becomes aware of what is happening as Clementine disappears in one memory after another. As such, he tries to stop the procedure as he changes his mind in still having feelings for her. Unable to wake up during the procedure, he decides to try and "hide" figuratively and literally. In addition, Clementine's subconscious, at least in his subconscious, implies that she too regrets having had Joel erased from her memory. What happens with Joel and Clementine is affected by Howard, Stan, Patrick and Lacuna's receptionist Mary Svevo's holistic experiences with Lacuna.