Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a 2004 American romantic science-fiction comedy-drama film about an estranged couple who have erased each other from their memories. The film was written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Michel Gondry. Kaufman and Gondry wrote the story with Pierre Bismuth. The ensemble cast includes Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood and Tom Wilkinson. The film developed a cult following in the years after its release, and is now regarded by many critics as one of the greatest films of the 21st century.