Memento
Bottom Line: Must be watched–in its immaculate entirety.
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Callum Keith Rennie, Carrie-Anne Moss, Guy Pearce, Harriet Sansom Harris, Joe Pantoliano, Jorja Fox, Mark Boone Junior, Russ Fega, Stephen Tobolowsky, Thomas Lennon
Memento is the tale of a man named Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) who is hunting down the figure he believes is responsible for the rape and murder of his wife. Yet he suffers short-term memory loss, which makes his vengeful mission even more difficult to accomplish. How writer-director Christopher Nolan–basing the screenplay off of his brother Jonathan’s short story “Memento Mori”–could ever manage to take the elements key to most murder mysteries with which we are familiar, whilst still transforming the script into an analysis from the main character’s own point of view, is far beyond me. Spoiling such a film is not at all difficult to do. In the simplest of terms, the tale is told in a nonlinear format, consisting of sequences placed in reverse order (and intertwining black-and-white scenes that play out sequentially) as the character recalls his memory.
What makes this thriller so intoxicating is how little we actually know about the crime when it starts out, and how much desire there is for an additional viewing once the conclusion has been reached. Certain films are just not meant to be 100% comprehensible; filmmaker Nolan made this clear once again with his Inception a decade later. You could say it’s “the greatest mind game ever played”. It’s all about how much and what we assume, as the audience. The film opens with what we assume to be the murder of the actual criminal–before the scene ends with a “red herring”, so to speak, that makes us unsure of whether or not this is actually him. We gain significant information through all Leonard does to keep record: taking photographs of people, jotting notes on the photographs regarding whether or not he should actually trust that person, tattooing his body with notes-to-self, etc. Admittedly, the film could be plotted out sequentially, and watched that way, but it would be nowhere as much innovative and exhilarating, not to mention tremendously realistic, fun. An artfully captivating masterpiece.
A very disturbing movie for me when I saw it years ago !
So frustrating watching the man take polaroid pictures of his motel and writing notes to himself on his arm. Very unsettling- – but a classic movie.
I’d say part of what makes it so fantastic is that it IS so unsettling. It’s the effect of countless classics. I was surprised to find out how few people saw this when it first came out to U.S. theaters (after about a year of overseas release), but how easily recognizable it is nowadays.
Yes I agree.
I saw it at the Rialto Theater in Durham,
NC when it came out — definitely not a multiplex theater!
Great post, I had to watch this a few times to understand it but I thought it was absolutely amazing.
Fun fact: when I originally wrote my review, it turned out jumbled, and just like the film’s storyline, I had to find a way to piece it back together.
One of my favorite movies of all time, liked it even better after the second viewing (And the third, and the fourth, lol) Good review
Thanks!
It’s not my favorite of Nolan’s films, but I really like it. Cool poster, I’ve never seen that before.
Thanks.
I’d say that even though I gave both TDK and Inception perfect scores, I appreciate Memento more than any other Nolan film, as far as my favorites.
One of my favorite movies and also one of Nolan’s best. Inventive, smart, captivating from beginning to end. I love it.
You just said it perfectly in…21 words.
This was the film that first introduced me to Christopher Nolan. (I still have yet to see his film debut Following) I must admit Memento was pretty confusing, but the thriller was, as you say, intoxicating nonetheless.
I actually ordered Following from my local library a few days ago after reading that Memento was a bit of a buildup on that story (or something like that). There aren’t many films I’d be willing to watch over and over, but by definition, Memento deserves at least five or six viewings. That’s a guess, because I don’t think I’d ever be able to decode it any quicker, if at all.
Glad you finally got around to this one man. Even more glad that you enjoyed it. It’s been in my top ten since the day I saw it. A great movie.
I agree. I have Following, Nolan’s debut work, waiting for me at the library today. Can’t wait to see it!
Oh yeah I forgot to mention that I ordered your number one from the library!
The Big Lebowski? Good man. I hope you like it. It may take a couple of views to catch all the nuances but it’s absolutely loaded with subtle detail. I await your review sir.
Still haven’t seen Nolan’s Following. That’s one I must get around to myself.
Yep, The Big Lebowski! “Dudeism”, am I correct?
About Following, I’m beginning to wonder who HAS seen it (other than our friend Fernando, who’s wiped Nolan’s entire filmography clean). It seems so overlooked.
Dudeism indeed. I don’t want to hype it up too much but I’d love to be ordained as a Dudist Preist. My advice would be not to judge it on a single viewing though. Even I didn’t appreciate with one go. It demands at least two, if not several.
Du(de)ly noted.
Lol. Nice one!
I try to be punny.
Oh dear!
“Du(de)ly noted”. LOL
I actually am ordained as a Dudeist priest
It was very easy! http://dudeism.com/ordination/
Oh dear, Fernando…well, I’ll check out that link after I see the movie lol!
After checking out your link Fernando, I realised that I am in fact a dudiest priest already. I completely forgot about this. I done years ago. Abide brother!