This is possibly the most interestingly told story I've seen on film. This reverse-style storytelling has been imitated by many, but none reaching the level of perfection that Memento is able to. Even though the resolution is revealed within the first few minutes, the anticipation and tension is still kept up to an amazing high because of the way certain truths about the story are revealed along the way. What we perceive as the reason for certain actions early on, is found to be wrong as we are exposed to facts about the situation at key points as the story begins to unravel.
Leonard (Guy Pearce), is a man affected by a brain condition he developed as a result of a blow to the head he received from a burglar. Apparently in this same break-in, his wife was murdered. His brain condition leaves him with only a short term memory of events that occured after the injury. So, in order to cope and remember important things, he writes short notes, takes polaroids and tattoos information on his body that he, at the time, deems important.
His ultimate drive is to avenge his wife's murder, and with notes and polaroids of information and clues he picked up along the way, he sets out to do just that. Within the first few minutes of the movie, Leonard kills a man named Teddy (Joe Pantoliano) whom he is thoroughly convinced is the man that killed his wife. However, as the story is told in flashback and we are introduced to Natalie (Carrie-Anne Moss), a woman whose interest in Leonard appears to be insincere, we begin to realise that Leonard's convictions may be incorrect.
Christopher Nolan, in my opinion, is the most promising film director of the decade thus far. With films like this one, along with the likes of Batman Begins and The Prestige, he has established himself as one of the best cinematic visionaries of the 21st century. The editing here is easily one of the most impressive jobs I've seen, and probably represents the apex of film editing this decade.
Guy Pearce is great as Leonard, and gives us a believable head case, while keeping him likeable. Joe Pantoliano is perfectly casted as Teddy, and does a commendable job. Carrie-Anne Moss is fine in a limited role as Natalie.
Memento impresses me mostly by the way it manages to provide genuinely surprising twists despite it's method of storytelling. Most people (including myself) would need multiple viewings to be able to understand everything that is revealed over the course of the movie. Christopher Nolan's work here is simply awe-inspiring, as he manages to write and direct an original and unique story, with the skill and precision found in few other auteurs.
© 2007 Kim Bartlett
Leonard (Guy Pearce), is a man affected by a brain condition he developed as a result of a blow to the head he received from a burglar. Apparently in this same break-in, his wife was murdered. His brain condition leaves him with only a short term memory of events that occured after the injury. So, in order to cope and remember important things, he writes short notes, takes polaroids and tattoos information on his body that he, at the time, deems important.
His ultimate drive is to avenge his wife's murder, and with notes and polaroids of information and clues he picked up along the way, he sets out to do just that. Within the first few minutes of the movie, Leonard kills a man named Teddy (Joe Pantoliano) whom he is thoroughly convinced is the man that killed his wife. However, as the story is told in flashback and we are introduced to Natalie (Carrie-Anne Moss), a woman whose interest in Leonard appears to be insincere, we begin to realise that Leonard's convictions may be incorrect.
Christopher Nolan, in my opinion, is the most promising film director of the decade thus far. With films like this one, along with the likes of Batman Begins and The Prestige, he has established himself as one of the best cinematic visionaries of the 21st century. The editing here is easily one of the most impressive jobs I've seen, and probably represents the apex of film editing this decade.
Guy Pearce is great as Leonard, and gives us a believable head case, while keeping him likeable. Joe Pantoliano is perfectly casted as Teddy, and does a commendable job. Carrie-Anne Moss is fine in a limited role as Natalie.
Memento impresses me mostly by the way it manages to provide genuinely surprising twists despite it's method of storytelling. Most people (including myself) would need multiple viewings to be able to understand everything that is revealed over the course of the movie. Christopher Nolan's work here is simply awe-inspiring, as he manages to write and direct an original and unique story, with the skill and precision found in few other auteurs.
© 2007 Kim Bartlett
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