4. ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND
 
United States
dir. Michel Gondry
world premiere 2004
U.S. release 2004
 

 
Because packed into every minute is some dazzling effect or narrative loop or blazon of the makers' quirks, but for all of those amazing and endearing convolutions, the emotions are played impressively straight. In good times and bad, in duck sauce and in health, it's the truest-feeling deconstruction of love in an American movie since Annie Hall.