Remember Sammy Jenkis.

Rating: 10/10 (16 January 2011)

Whenever we open our eyes, we see the world. We often acknowledge it through our conscious experience, and at times it fascinates us to the point of contemplating the experience. When we choose to close our eyes, then do we see nothing but absolute darkness. At times it can be even more confusing as we wonder if the world is still there when we close our eyes once more. Everything we perceive has some significance to it, and the lesson of Memento pertains to the knowledge of such a concept. Does it really matter whether or not we know, or is it simply the significance of that action that matters? Life at times can be overwhelming, and in order to continue we need a sense of purpose to keep going. At times we lose track of the truth behind our own motives.
Lenard Shelby (Pearce) is an antegrade amnesiac, meaning he can't retain any new memories. After witnessing the murder of his wife, and suffering brain damage at the hands of a masked attacker, Leonard has been searching for his wife's killer. There is never a mention of a time frame, merely a lone contemplation of timelessness as Leonard puts the pieces in what little order he can find. His reminder consist of tattooed facts and photographs containing scribbled notes. In his quest he often narrates his pain and longing for clearness, even so as much as breaking down his vulnerability to into a simple matter of knowledge.
From the reverse order, we are introduced to Teddy (Pantoliano) a sniveling detective like side-kick that aides Leonard, more or less to his own personal benefit, which is never hidden of course, and Natalie (Moss) a mysterious and equally questionable femme fatale. With both Teddy and Natalie harboring their own motives, the plot becomes more mysterious, despite our own knowledge of the conclusion. Teddy gives Leonard supposed leads, while Natalie bestows pity upon the wounded investigator, claiming more innocence and affection as she uses Leonard for her own purposes. Our curiosity remains strong though, as we follow Leonard in a backwards journey, where the truth can only be traced through memory, and the leap of faith he takes in searching for clarity.
It seems confusing at first, as the story begins at the very ending, spoiling the conclusion. However, the climax remains to be told as the story progresses and Leonard grows into the detective we first saw smeared in his victim's blood, retracting a gun as if it were a light saber, and gazing upon the justice he executed. It is a journey through time that although it plays in reverse, it introduces the characters brilliantly, as if it were in chronological order. At first, the impressions we'll have of them will be based on certainy, using the memories we acquired from the previous clip. However, as the story progresses, the tables turn and the notion of memory to which this film entails comes alive. Despite being mentally handicapped, Leonard disciplines himself through habit and routine, hoping that he never ends up like Sammy Jenkis.
Who is Sammy Jenkis? Well that name never goes unmentioned every time Leonard explains the fragility of his condition. Like Leonard, Sammy (Tobolowsky) suffered from short-term memory loss, falling rather than rising above the very nightmare that Leonard still faces. Dedication and mastery are but merely temporary shields for Leonard's mind. One moment of focus can easily disappear within an instant, leaving Leonard blank and with little to protect himself, and never knowing who or what to trust. In fact the uncertainty that plagues Leonard is further captured in the musical composition by David Julyan as his score further represents in his own words, "yearning and loss." It feels sad, but even more strange as this feeling of pain is never truly understood, thus representing the torment of Leonard's own uncertainty and torment.
Memento is Christopher Nolan's second feature film, just two years after the success of Following, and bordering on similar issues. Like Following, Memento explores the human mind within the context of memory and the dependency we place on it. With comparison to more factual matters, memory is never truly reliable, nor is it ever fully comprehendible. Through the film, much is left out, with Leonards' wife never being identified, or the time frame of the film remaining mysterious. It adds a timeless aspect of torment for the protagonist, yet with more to ponder at the conclusion of the film which leaves it at an ambiguous note of resolution. Leonard Shelby is indeed an interesting character, and through his determination his mind is explored through constant flashbacks, as well the sad voice-over narration he gives in understanding his journey, those he can trust, and the meaning of his actions. The film presents this question within the first ten minutes. Natalie tells him that he even if he succeeds, he won't be able to remember, This dark truth can only diminish hope for meaning in a world we all risk our lives to experience. The question of knowing whether there is meaning in our actions, although left open, leans more towards a more positive outlook, thus illuminating the skill of Chris Nolan as he delivers a film that is clever in its dialogue, entertaining in its story, and philosophically moving in the questions it poses. The only way something can have meaning is through our actions. What does it matter whether we know or not? "The world doesn't just disappear when you close your eyes, does it?