Memento

Released: 2000

Directed By: Christopher Nolan

Starring: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss

Certificate: 15

Reviewed By: Darryl Griffiths

Well.. Mr Nolan has certainly built quite a formidable reputation for himself. Single handedly revitalising the Batman franchise, dared to make a 200 million dollar mind bender for a film and thankfully for his sake, he came up trumps. He seems to be box office gold, but let me take you back to a time where he was a major unknown and the film where it ALL began for him.

Adapted from a short story his brother Jonathan wrote, he reworks the structure of cinematic narrative by dripfeeding the audience every detail in a backwards format, taking us on a brain taxing ride with character Leonard (Guy Pearce). He plays a insurance investigator whose short term memory is completely fried. His life is on the road to recovery after losing his wife through a brutal rape and murder. In the firm belief that his killer still walks the streets, he plots to get justice. With his psychological defiencies being the primary problem, he resorts to taking polaroids, endless note taking and even a few tattoos on his body to remember such crucial details. Along the way, the likes of bar worker Natalie (Carrie Anne Moss) just add pile on the confusion for Guy Pearce’s protagonist.

With such a gimmick at the heart of it, in less capable hands ‘Memento’ could have been a unmitigated mess. Luckily, it doesn’t become the case. Nolan skillfully works his way through the intricate and street smart script, the use of flashback being promient as many scenes slowly start to attain a sense of logic as you assemble the jigsaw pieces along with Leonard. It only helps to add new layers and essence to the genre of film noir, which break away from your bog standard entries which audiences have grown accustomed to.

It’s safe to say that this was Guy Pearce’s breakthrough role as well, perfectly capturing the frantic trauma of a man whose clearly battling with his subconscious. The sense of mystery and unique take on narrative was refreshing at its time of release and has certainly caused many to imitate the style for other genres over recent times. It may not totally unravel itself to you in its first showing, but repeat showings really do help reap the rewards.

An inventive thriller, that well and truly brings the thrills.. intellectually and in a pure popcorn entertainment sense. MESMERISING.