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| Memento
Year: 2000
Classification: Mystery / Suspense
Directed:
- Christopher Nolan
Actors/Actresses:
- Carrie Ann Moss
- Guy Pearce
- Carrie-Anne Moss
- Joe Pantoliano
Best new movie I've seen in a loooong time.
This is a good movie to have on DVD, because you'll want to watch it many times to pick up the details and nuance. Guy Pearce might be a little too pretty for the lead role as a crime victim-insurance salesman, but he's very good nevertheless. Carrie Anne Moss and Joe Pantoliano are even better in key supporting roles. Telling the story backwards from the perspective of the protagonist (who sustained a brain injury that makes it impossible for him to sustain new memories more than a day) is a clever device that keeps the viewer intrigued and involved--unless you're the type who needs to have stories told in a predictable, linear fashion. You piece together the crime mystery just seconds ahead or (or behind) the protagonist. It was reassuring to see this movie sweep the Independent Spirit Awards, and it wasn't much of a surprise that the Oscars largely snubbed it--giving it just two nominations (and no wins) in the writing and editing categories. Compare this to something like "Moulin Rouge," which some think is so very "creative." Well, I like to see creativity with some substance, not just all surface flash. "Memento" satisfies on both the style and substance levels, a real rarity in the commercial film biz today.
If Only More Movies Were This Amazing.
This is one of the best movies I have ever seen. It is original, superbly acted and brilliantly edited together for a unique viewing experience. The premise of the movie is that Leonard (Guy Pierce)is trying to find the men who raped and murdered his wife. Unfortunately, he was hit on the head by the men who assaulted his wife and now he has only a long term memory and his short term memory fades after five minutes or so (meaning he can't make new memories). He copes with this by writing himself notes on paper, pictures and even tatooing certain bits of information onto his body. The style in which the film explains the story is brilliant, as another way of developing such a unique character would have proven inadequate. The movie starts at the ending and works it way to what normally would be the beginning. While it goes about it in this fashion the plot unfolds and we are introduced to various characters that all interact/affect the main character (Guy Pierce) in some way. The question is...who is truly a friend and who is an enemy? All is revealed in the movies satisfying and unexpected ending (er, beginning). Memento is a creative and intellingent story that is crafted brilliantly and assisted further by stellar performances from all the movie's players. After watching it, you can't help but get philosophical and try to divulge some deeper meaning from the film and life in general. I know I've been pondering something. If Leonard can't make new memories since the incident, then how is it that throughout the movie, anytime he meets someone, he always tells that he has this condition and can't make new memories? Since he didn't develop this condition till after the injury it should not be in his long term memory and no where does he have written, "I have a condition that doesn't allow me to make new memories." Very interesting.
This film is horrible. Please, don't waist your time.
I don't have to say much about this movie to let you know don't waist you time or money. I paid $21 for it through Columiba house. I relied upon the good comments of others before I bought it. It was boring, sensless, and a downright waist of time. If you must put yourself through such torture at least go rent it. The only movie that comes close to such idiocy is The Man Who Fell to Earth.
Buy Memento at Amazon.com
Buy posters at Allposters.com
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