Memento is one of those films where you either love it or hate it. For some, the idea of flashbacks and repeating scenes quickly become old and lose its effectiveness and the audience’s attention. For others, the way the film moves along keeps them guessing and breathes new life into filmmaking. So, after my friend from Blockbuster told me I should review Memento, I took his idea into consideration and made it my recommendation of the week.
The Movie
The movie tells the story of Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce,) a man on a rampage, set to track down the person who raped and killed his wife. The only hitch to Leonard’s plan is that he suffers from brain damage and has no short term memory. He can remember everything before the attack but is no longer able to retain any memory afterward. To make up for this handicap, Leonard must write down everything from who he meets and trusts to every possible clue that leads him to his wife’s killer.
In the film, Leonard must overcome thoughts of self doubt and rely on instincts to protect himself from those who claim to want to help him. Throughout the entire movie, Leonard fights with himself whether or not the person he met just the day before is really there to help solve his wife’s murder or if that person his using his own handicap to their advantage.
Also, what makes this film unique is the way it is told. The movie is actually told backwards, and the film is divided into segments. Each segment picks up where the other one left off. The film may become confusing for the first several minutes, but as time passes on, the film will slowly piece together and make perfect sense. While it may sound confusing at first, by the time the movie ends, all questions from before will be answered. The only problem with that is paying close attention to the movie is a must.
Video and Audio
Memento is one of those DVDs where the video quality is average but still does not detract from the overall film. The picture is as sharp and clear as any other DVD and is great for reading all the little notes Leonard leaves behind for himself.
As with the video, the Memento DVD audio is clear and is fitting for the film. The voices and musical score are great and really help the story progress and unfold.
The Extras
Although the two-disc special edition of this DVD is going to be released within the next month, this original version isn’t thin of extras. One extra worth watching is a half hour long interview with director Christopher Nolan and he discusses such topics as the inspiration and production of the film.
Also on the disc is a photo gallery, theatrical trailer and TV spots. Another interesting extra is the concept illustrations of Leonard’s tattoos and how they differ from the final version in the film.
Although some may not have liked the film because of its different approach to telling the story, I found Memento to be one of the most creative films I’ve seen in a long time. For those who want to watch an intriguing and original murder/mystery movie, Memento is one to check out. For those who have a short attention span, this may not be the movie for you.
