Really makes you think...

Rating: 8/10 (2 June 2001)

Whilst watching Memento's first few minutes, I remember thinking "my god this is going to be tedious". As the story kept showing us a scene, then showing the scene that led to the scene, but after about ten minutes I didn't notice at all. I was hooked.
Memento was British Director Christopher Nolan's follow up to his low budget Début "Following" and I must say he looks like a director to watch. The handling of the tricky flashback structure and tightly woven plot means you're guessing right to the end (or should that be the begining). Telling the story like this really helps us identify with the main character Leonard (Guy Pearce), we never are sure of our actions, never knowing who we can trust, we just have to stick with what Leonard believes as to being right.
The performance were great, especially Joe Pantoliano as Leonard's only friend "Teddy". He really manages to step out from the shadow of the lead and give his character a much-needed depth. Carrie-Anne Moss did not fair as well, I thought her character tended to be a little irritating, not to mention intelligent for a woman who works in a biker bar. But this is Pearce's film and he does a fantastic job realising such a complex character, giving him a constant sense of fear, cool and uncertainty.
I won't say much about the plot because the less you know the better, it's much more rewarding to gather the pieces together and in some way making the viewer part of the movies. So don't let what people have been referring to as a gimmicky plot put you off, check out this grown-up thriller immediately.
(***** Out of *****)