Logline: When their relationship turns sour, a couple undergoes a medical procedure to have each other erased from their memories forever.
Theme: Memory
It's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Credits: Screenplay by Charlie Kaufman
Act I
1.INT. joel's apartment - day
2.EXT. JOEL'S apartment - DAY
3.I/E. TRAIN STATION - DAYNotes: Any suspicion of something life-changing happening to Joel the night prior is evaded by the idea that he just woke up in a funk. Everyone experiences that feeling, so as of right now, this is a simple story of a guy who's a bit down on his luck, and that's all.
4.EXT. TRAIN STATION - DAY
5.EXT. beach - dayNotes: The beach ends up being a recurring setting for Joel's memories later on, and there's never a scene on the beach that Clementine isn't in. Both the first and last scenes of Joel and Clementine together take place on the beach.Theme: Explored
6.INT. diner - day
7.EXT. TRAIN STATION - DAY
8.INT. train - dayNotes: We only get a few scenes with Clementine prior to Joel choosing to erase her, and each one is a grand display of her personality, and subsequently, how her personality clashes with Joel's. Just from this scene alone, we have a good idea of who she is, and it's easy to see how this relationship could turn sour in the future.Theme: Explored
9.I/E. joel's car - night
10.INT. clementine's apartment - NIGHT
11.INT. joel's apartment - night
12.EXT. charles river - night
13.EXT. CLEMENTINE'S APARTMENT - DAYNotes: In our introduction to Patrick, we know just as much as Joel does - which is nothing. Because Joel is completely unaware of what happened to him the night prior, he has the same reaction as the audience does when seeing Patrick approaching him and acting strange. Who is this guy and what does he want?
14.int. joel's car - night
15.I/e. joel's apartment building - NIGHTNotes: Valentine's day is a subtle marker of time throughout the beginning of the story. Joel mentions in the opening scene that it's Valentine's Day, and now Frank says that it's tomorrow. For anyone who remembers and catches the discrepancy, it acts as the first real sign that something isn't quite right.
17.INT. carrie and rob's home - NIGHTNotes: Having Joel read the statement from a note instead of hearing it from someone's mouth helps it feel more real. He can't just call someone out as a liar or brush it off as a bad joke (which he ends up doing with the tapes later on).Theme: Stated
18.INT. lacuna inc office - dayNotes: Having the Lacuna office look like a normal, hole-in-the-wall medical office helps the story feel more grounded, and less like a sci-fi. It doesn't feel like a world we don't know, instead, since the procedure seems so casual, it's easy to view the story as taking place in our world.Theme: Explored
19.INT. CARRIE AND ROB'S HOME - DAY
20.EXT. joel's car - NIGHT
21.INT. LACUNA INC OFFICE - DAYNotes: Though it's not explained why our protagonist gets special treatment in this situation, it can be assumed that it's because Joel learned about Clementine's procedure, which he was never meant to find out about. Instead of him magically getting top priority just so his story can move along, Howard makes the decision to grant his request because he's been put in a situation that never should have happened, and he feels sorry for him.Theme: Explored
24.INT. LACUNA INC OFFICE - DAYNotes: When Joel describes how he first met Clementine, it's not the same scene where we saw them meet earlier. This makes it clear that what we thought was their first meeting actually wasn't, and they'd had a whole relationship prior to that meeting.Theme: Explored
25.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
26.INT. LACUNA INC OFFICE - DAYNotes: Throughout the process of Joel getting his memories erased, he's occasionally able to hear the conversations happening next to him in the real world. This not only helps to connect the two timelines, but it also ends up creating an interesting subplot with Joel finding out about Patrick's impersonation, but not actually being able to do anything about it.Theme: Explored
27.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
28.INT. joel'S APARTMENT - NIGHTTheme: Explored
Act III
74.INT. JOEL'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - daYNotes: We're back at the beginning, but this time, we know exactly why Joel woke up in a funk.Theme: Explored
75.EXT. JOEL'S APARTMENT BUILDING - DAY
76.EXT. LACUNA INC OFFICE - DAYNotes: It's unclear how Mary feels about Stan's story, but she may not even know herself yet. Did he just not want to make a brash assumption and accuse Howard of erasing Mary's memory? Or did he have a feeling but kept it to himself so he could pursue Mary?Theme: Explored
77.EXT. TRAIN STATION - DAY
78.EXT. LACUNA INC OFFICE - DAY
79.INT. JOEL'S CAR - DAY
80.INT. CLEMENTINE'S APARTMENT - DAY
81.INT. JOEL'S CAR - DAYNotes: Mary is so distraught over the knowledge of her past that she realizes how unethical Howard's practice is. She doesn't want anyone else to live in the dark as she had, and believes that people's memories shouldn't be messed with - the good or the bad, they're all important.
Plot threads
Patrick and Clementine
Patrick is confused by Joel being with Clementine.
Joel hears Patrick say that he's dating Clementine.
Patrick is in love with Clementine.
Stan argues that Patrick's relationship with Clementine is unethical.
Joel is unable to see Patrick's face.
Joel starts catching on to what Patrick's doing.
Patrick is using Joel's memories to seduce Clementine.
Joel accuses Patrick of stealing his identity.
Patrick's use of Joel's words scares Clementine.
Joel tells Clementine about Patrick.
Patrick upsets Clementine by calling her "nice".
Patrick approaches Joel's car outside of Clementine's apartment.
Patrick has left Clementine a desperate voicemail.
Clementine yells at Patrick to leave.
Mary and Howard
Mary and Howard are introduced.
Mary praises Howard's work.
Mary suggests that they call Howard for help.
Stan tells Mary to leave before Howard shows up.
Mary recites her favorite quotes to Howard.
Mary kisses Howard.
Howard reveals to Mary that they were in a relationship, but he erased her memory of it.
Mary listens to her past self talk about her relationship with Howard.
Stan insists that he didn't know about Mary and Howard.
Mary leaves Lacuna.
Characters
Joel BarishWhite · Male · ProtagonistA "nice guy". He's self-hating and pessimistic, and while he understands why he's alone, he feels like he's still entitled to the love he desires, instead of putting in the effort to deserve that love. He's still hung up on his ex, likely because he doesn't think he'll have another opportunity for a fulfilling romantic relationship.What does your character want?: Joel wants love and companionship.How will your character attempt to get it?: By trying to hold onto the love that he had with Clementine, even while it's actively being erased from his memory.What does your character need?: He needs to realize that he's not entitled to anything.How will your character realize it?: When he decides to accept all of Clementine's flaws and put the work in to make their relationship last this time around.
Clementine KruczynskiWhite · Female · Love InterestA deconstruction of the "manic pixie dream girl". She knows that most men view her as someone who will save them and help them live life to the fullest, but she's not just a walking representation of that one-dimensional idea. She has many dreams of her own, and she needs someone who will fit into her life, not someone she would need to compromise her ambitions for.What does your character want?: To find someone she can feel safe around and will embrace her free-spirited nature.How will your character attempt to get it?: By showing people who she is right when she meets them. This way, if they're uninterested, they can leave before things get serious.What does your character need?: To stop allowing men to take advantage of her.How will your character realize it?: When she's finally had it with Patrick, and when she initially makes the decision to walk away from Joel after hearing the tape.
PatrickWhite · Male · VillainHe's awkward, insecure, and oversteps boundaries without a second thought. He's seemingly jealous of the relationship between Stan and Mary. Stan's a nerdy tech guy just like him, so why is he exponentially more appealing to women?
30.EXT. streeT - NIGHTStory Beat: Plot Point 1Notes: The cause of the indent in Joel's car is revealed, providing clear visual evidence that they knew each other prior to the opening scene.Theme: Explored
31.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
32.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - DAYTheme: Explored
33.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
34.EXT. flea market - DAYNotes: This is the most real, intense argument that we've seen between the two of them so far. Joel's not just tossing low insults at her, he's claiming that she wouldn't be a good mother. From the previous argument shown, it may have seemed like Clementine was the "problem" in the relationship, but now we're being shown that they were both hurtful to one another.
35.INT. joel's apartment - night
36.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - DAYNotes: Both the past and the present Joel have stated that their life isn't interesting. No matter if he's missing almost 2 years of memories or not, he'll never be able to comprehend how someone else could find him or his life interesting.
37.INT. restaurant - night
38.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
39.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - DAY
40.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHTNotes: Mary's prior relationship with Howard is hinted at so subtly that it never seems like anything more than a work crush or deep admiration. Once the truth is revealed, it makes sense, because of the way she talked about him even when he wasn't around.
41.INT. CLEMENTINE'S APARTMENT - NIGHTNotes: Patrick isn't just stealing Joel's girlfriend, he's stealing his thoughts, his personality, and his memories, thinking that it's a surefire way to Clementine's heart. However, Joel and Clementine's relationship clearly didn't work out, so there's a question of why Patrick thinks that it'll work this time around, if he's acting just as Joel did. Is he so desperate for love that the only way he thinks he'll be able to connect with someone is if he lies about who he is? Or does he simply think that Joel's memories will give him a head-start?
42.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - DAYStory Beat: MidpointNotes: After Joel's bad memories are erased, he starts being shown the good ones, which make him start to regret his decision. He's forgotten all the bad, and now wishes that he could keep just the good.Theme: Challenged
43.EXT. charles river - nightNotes: Even though Joel knows that he's inside his own memories, he still makes an attempt at escaping with Clementine. He can't control what's happening in the real world, but he also can't just sit and watch as years of his memories fade away.Theme: Explored
44.INT. LACUNA INC OFFICE - NIGHTTheme: Explored
45.EXT. CHARLES RIVER - NIGHTNotes: Though Clementine shouldn't remember Joel's words to her on the river, Patrick repeating those words triggers something within her. She doesn't know what it is, but the words coming out of his mouth are off-putting.Theme: Explored
46.EXT. woods - DAYNotes: Clementine tells Joel that the reason she erased him is because she's impulsive, which is just what Carrie suggested - however, the Clementine that's speaking to Joel in this scene is a figment of Joel's imagination. In his mind, he believes that she erased him just due to impulsivity and nothing deeper, because he had a near surface-level understanding of her personality. Surely if he could ask the real Clementine why she did it, she would have a much more detailed explanation.Theme: Stated
47.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - DAYTheme: Explored
48.INT. joel's childhood home - DAYTheme: Explored
49.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
50.INT. howard's house - NIGHT
51.INT. JOEL'S CHILDHOOD HOME - DAYNotes: Joel's version of Clementine is telling him exactly what he wants to hear - that she's open to starting over. It's the reassurance he's giving himself that it'll all work out.Theme: Stated
52.INT. clementine's car - NIGHTNotes: Patrick once again repeats one of Joel's lines, which causes Clementine to spiral further.
53.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHTStory Beat: Plot Point 2Notes: This is the closest Joel comes to being able to escape and stop the procedure. He's awake and understands what's happening to him, but he's bound to his past self's decision.
54.EXT. drive-in theater - NIGHTTheme: Explored
55.INT. LACUNA INC OFFICE - NIGHTNotes: The idea of a stepping into a memory that's already been erased is shown through the absence of people's faces. Joel remembers the memory existing, but once he's inside it, it's like a nightmare.Theme: Symbolized
56.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHTTheme: Challenged
57.I/E. BOOKSTORE - NIGHTTheme: Explored
58.INT. JOEL'S CHILDHOOD HOME - NIGHT
59.EXT. BEACH - DAY
60.EXT. JOEL'S CHILDHOOD HOME - DAYNotes: Joel's previously expressed his frustration with his own social skills. Maybe if Clementine had been with him through those developmental years, he'd be able to form meaningful connections and have a better outlook on life, as well as himself.Theme: Explored
61.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHTTheme: Explored
62.EXT. BEACH - DAY
63.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
64.EXT. parade - NIGHT
65.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
66.EXT. JOEL'S APARTMENT BUILDING - NIGHTNotes: Mary is completely blindsided by Howard telling him that she was one of his patients. Though her past self must have agreed to it, it still feels like a betrayal. He continues to live his life with the memories of their past, but she's not afforded that luxury.Theme: Explored
67.INT. bookstore - dayNotes: Joel points out what went wrong in their relationship - he wanted Clementine to save him. He asked so much of her but offered nothing in return. If Joel doesn't like himself or his life, he has to make a change internally instead of expecting an external force to solve all of his problems.Theme: Stated
68.INT. LACUNA INC OFFICE - NIGHT
69.EXT. BEACH - DAYNotes: Joel remembers the day that he and Clementine actually met for the first time - and in this one, he knows the song. That song ends up being erased from his memory during the procedure, as it held too many ties to Clementine, which is why it seemed like he just lived under a rock when they met on the train.Theme: Explored
70.EXT. BEACH - NIGHT
71.I/E. beach house - NIGHTStory Beat: ClimaxNotes: Though Joel won't remember this exact moment when he wakes, he'll still hop onto the train to Montauk. This suggests that there's still a tiny little bit of his memories left behind, which would also ring true for Clementine, since she tells him he looks familiar on the train during their first meeting post-procedure.Theme: Explored
72.INT. car - NIGHTNotes: Joel watches as his memories of Clementine fly by him, never to be seen again. The decision was made, and no matter how hard he tried to stop it, there was nothing he could do. His memories are gone, all because he wanted to get back at her for doing the same.Theme: Symbolized
73.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Theme: Symbolized
82.I/E. CLEMENTINE'S APARTMENT - DAY
83.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT BUILDING - DAYNotes: Though Clementine's already realized that the situation she's in is definitely real, Frank knowing her is just another bit of proof to show that she lived a life she doesn't remember.Theme: Explored
84.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT - dayTheme: Symbolized
85.INT. JOEL'S APARTMENT BUILDING - DAYStory Beat: ResolutionNotes: Joel, now knowing how his relationship with Clementine previously ended, doesn't expect perfection between the two of them. He knows things are going to be hard, and they're not going to get along all the time, but this time around, he's prepared for it. The first time he was with Clementine, he may have tried to date the "idea" of her, as she says, instead of her and everything she comes with.
86.EXT. BEACH - DAY
What does your character want?: To be in a relationship, just for the status of it. Patrick wants to be able to tell people that he's in a relationship to make him seem like a more well-liked person.
How will your character attempt to get it?: By impersonating Joel after he's erased from Clementine's memory.
What does your character need?: A book on the code of ethics.
StanWhite · Male
MaryWhite · FemaleShe's bubbly and inviting, but is still calm and reserved around new people. When she's with someone she likes, she's head-over-heels for them, and it's glaringly obvious.What does your character want?: She wants Howard to like her.How will your character attempt to get it?: By continuously praising him and trying to bond over little things.What does your character need?: To understand what actually happened in her past.How will your character realize it?: When she listens to the recording of herself from right before she had Howard erased from her memory.