Memento - 2000 (R)

Actors: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano
Director: Christopher Nolan
Reviewed: 17 May 2005



The first thing people notice about this movie is that two of its main characters are from
The Matrix. The second thing people notice is that it is confusing. The third thing people 
notice is that it is brilliantly devised and executed. In the age of American Pie, Jackass,
and Family Guy, Memento is a breath of fresh air for those of us not content with the basic
'teen appeal' fare. Memento is excellent. It is no doubt one of the best movies I have ever
seen. I had to watch it three times to completely understand everything that I had just been
presented, and even then I know I had missed something. This movie tells the story of Leonard
Shelby, whose wife is killed during a break-in. He sustains head injuries, which cause him to
lose his short term memory. He remembers everything up to the accident, but everything after
he remembers in five-minute bursts. This is how the movie is presented, with the last event
chronologically appearing first in the film. It goes back in time in five-minute increments, 
until gradually we are presented the whole story. He remembers important events via tattoos and
Polaroids as he hunts for the killer. Each morning he wakes up confused, not remembering why
he is in a hotel. He can never remember his hotel room number he has been living in for 3 years,
nor the hotel attendee whom he has seen each morning for that same time. He has made friends like
Teddy, who know him well but who he meets for the first time, every time. He cannot remember
people who have double crossed him, and he ignorantly walks into several traps. The movie
is a roller coaster side (to use an already overused simile), and the spectacular finale will
leave you reeling. Go see this movie the first chance you get, but remember to take notes.
You wouldn't want to miss anything.

SCORE: 10/10

GOOD QUOTE 
-But even if you get revenge you're not gonna remember it. You won't know.
-I've had more rewarding friendships than this one. But I get to keep telling the same jokes. 
-What are you, Pocahontas? 
-It's like waking. Like you just woke up. 

BAD QUOTE
-My wife deserves revenge, whether I know about it or not. 
-If we talk for too long, I'll forget how we started.