 | Memento Starring: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Ann Moss, Joe Pantoliano |
Your wife is being brutally raped and murdered. In an attempt to stop the attack you receive a sharp blow to the head which knocks you unconscious. When you awake, your wife is dead and you have a rare but all too real condition known as short-term memory loss. Simply put, you cannot make new memories. You have no problem knowing who you are or what your life was like before the trauma, but new events, new people, are erased from your brain within minutes. You live in a world where you need to re-orient yourself every five minutes. People you have meant and talked with just minutes ago become strangers. Things you did yesterday are completely forgotten. The hero, Leonard Shelby (Pearce), of director Christopher Nolan's brilliant new film, "Memento," inhabits this strange and isolated world. Based on a story by Nolan's brother, Jonathan Nolan, the protagonist Shelby keeps himself sane only through his relentless obsession to find his wife's killer and the desire to seek revenge. Shelby was once an insurance investigator so he has an organized mind in spite of his condition. In an attempt to stay focused in his ever-changing world, Shelby keeps files, tattoos important notes on his body, and always carries a Polaroid camera with him to take pictures of people and places. He makes notations on the photos as to the name and important, brief facts on the subjects that he photographs. He photographs the motel he is staying in and writes the address on the back in order to find his way home. He always carries a photograph of his car for this image will soon be forgotten. Nolan wastes little time putting the audience into the mind-set of Shelby. The film opens with Shelby awakening in a strange motel room. His voice-over narration is confused but after checking his notes, he realises that this is his room. As he begins each day of his never-ending quest we realize that this film is unfolding backwards. He meets strangers who know him. Shelby visits new places that he has visited before. Unexplained events take place that his notes don't explain. Soon we are involved in a world where time has no meaning, scenes repeat themselves, and we find ourselves disoriented in a whirlpool of dizzying confusion. As each scene repeats, we are given another piece of the puzzle, yet the pieces don't quite fit. In one scene, we see Shelby running through a trailer park with his voice over narration saying, "OK, What's going on? I'm chasing this guy? No! He's chasing me!" Shots ring out and Shelby barely escapes with his life. There is an ominous feeling that our handicapped hero has inadvertently gotten himself into something far more sinister than finding his wife's killer. As the film progresses, we are not sure who these people who inhabit his daily life really are. Who is the mysterious Natalie (Moss), the girl who is supposedly helping him? Who is Teddy (Pantoliano), the only friend Leonard seemingly has? Shelby's notes on Teddy's photograph notes say "Don't Believe His Lies!" And who is the stranger that Shelby freely relates his past life with on the motel phone? Perhaps the film is not revealing itself backwards. Maybe Leonard Shelby is messing with OUR heads. Paranoia sets in. Nothing can be taken at face value. In a world without a time reference, anything is possible. Certain important questions emerge. Why would an insurance investigator be wearing a designer suit and driving a Jaguar? How long has it been since his wife was killed? What has he become since the attack? We won't find the answers with Leonard because he doesn't know. Best to go along with this mesmerising ride and see what happens. "Memento" is a Noir classic. An original cinematic experience that will continue to ask questions long after you have seen the movie. Many answers are revealed but there are an equal number that remain hopelessly lost. This is the brilliance of the film. When the film suddenly stops, your mind continues to question. "Memento" was shot in Burbank, California with a brief shooting schedule of a few weeks. A creative concept, strong direction, stunning editing and an intense, edgy performance by Pearce make this film work. Pearce is one of those actors who seem to become invisible with each role he takes. "Memento" is no exception. This could be his breakout performance. Moss and Pantoliano deserve no less accolades. Director Nolan has created a stunning piece of film work. Words can't describe the film. You must see it to experience it! It's early 2001, but "Memento" will be back come Oscars time. |