MEMENTO
dir: Christopher Nolan
"I have to believe in a world outside my own mind. I have to believe that my actions still have meaning, even if I can't remember them. I have to believe that when my eyes are closed, the world's still there. Do I believe the world's still there? Is it still out there?... Yeah. We all need mirrors to remind ourselves who we are. I'm no different." - Leonard
Brief Synopsis
A man with short-term memory loss attempts to find his wife's killer while overcoming his handicap.
Why It's Here
I can't remember the last time I saw a directorial debut so strong. Christopher Nolan, who would go on direct "The Prestige", "Batman Begins", and "The Dark Knight", began his electrifying career by jumping out of nowhere and presenting us with one of the most unique and mind bending mystery thrillers in years. Incredibly focused and articulate, "Memento" takes the audience on a mind-trip within the mind of a man with insomnia. The film goes in reverse, beginning at the end, with the big mystery being how it all began. The concept alone is enough to warrant this film a viewing and study, however it is in the powerful execution that this film truly earns it's status as a modern day classic. Each scene forces the mind to use it's memory to revert back to the previous scene to complete the puzzle, constantly demanding the viewers uninterrupted attention. A film that asks you to think and is thankfully worthwhile in it's final delivery. "Memento" keeps the momentum building for it's entire running time to deliver one of the most satisfying conclusions ever put to screen.
Many filmmakers attempt to execute amnesia plotlines, building towards a twist ending their audience won't see coming, but so few succeed. The overused insomnia plot device is too often mishandled, and the finales are too often dull and unimaginative. "Memento" has been considered by many to be the king of insomnia films for it's realistic depiction of the condition and unique editing that not only allows for the audiences sympathy for the characters condition, but is able to simulate that condition for the audience themselves. "Memento" is a film that is brave enough to break the mold and explore unique aspects of filmmaking, something that would help define Christopher Nolan as one of the great emerging talents of the 21st century.
Many filmmakers attempt to execute amnesia plotlines, building towards a twist ending their audience won't see coming, but so few succeed. The overused insomnia plot device is too often mishandled, and the finales are too often dull and unimaginative. "Memento" has been considered by many to be the king of insomnia films for it's realistic depiction of the condition and unique editing that not only allows for the audiences sympathy for the characters condition, but is able to simulate that condition for the audience themselves. "Memento" is a film that is brave enough to break the mold and explore unique aspects of filmmaking, something that would help define Christopher Nolan as one of the great emerging talents of the 21st century.