The performance a character puts on really defines them in film. Joel and Clementine’s acting in this film is what helps us better understand them as characters and how they fit in the movie. I’d like to focus on the two of them as they’re the two main characters in the film and how the relationship between their performances and characterization correspond with one another.
Joel Barish is the protagonist in this film and can be described as careful or even shy to some. He is portrayed in this way because of the acting skills he uses that makes it so apparent, for example he tries not to make eye contact with someone if he does not have to. Joel expresses his personality physically through his reserved gestures towards other people. Jim Carey, who plays Joel understands the director’s vision for his character and because he does, we understand Joel Barish and can even make connections on a personal level with ourselves.
Clementine played by Kate Winselt is an upbeat and outgoing type of person as we find out very early in the film, the complete opposite to Joel I might add. Clementine seems larger than life in the beginning by the way she dresses, talks, and the aggressive movements even. Later into the film we find out how damaged and insecure she is, which I was not too surprised about because often those same character traits I mentioned before are used to cover up insecurities by many. Clementines role in this film was very complex because she needed carry out herself in a particular manner so that later in the film, we would understand what truly makes her tick and why she acts the way she does. Kaufman is excellent in this film at layering how characters are being portrayed all for it to even make more sense to the viewer the more we watch.
Stefano Allegras blog 