still the best movie of the year

Rating: 10/10 (26 June 2001)

I was just reading the "goofs" for this movie. There is only one, but in defense of the film makers, screenwriters etc. I will make an argument that the one goof isn't a goof at all. You say that Lenny shouldn't know that he has a condition because his short term memory loss would prevent him from remembering the condition. But...I say that he knew the condition existed before he was injured. Remember Sammy? I realize that it is up for debate whether Sammy even existed, the movie never gives a definitive answer to this question and it is left up to the viewer. I am persuaded to believe that Sammy existed and Lenny clearly understood that people could in fact have short term memory loss before he lost his. Since he can remember everything that happened to him before and up to the assault it makes sense to me that he could remember that he had a condition that he was already familiar with before losing short term memory. Now on the flip side it is well to argue also that if someone knew all about (another disease in the movie) diabetes, and lost short term memory....then being diagnosed with diabetes after the injury would a person realize and remember to treat the disease? I don't know. But it was cleaver of the film makers to attempt to explain Lenny's knowledge of his condtion in this way.

It is a mark of a very well made movie that keeps a person guessing even months after first seeing it. Memento is a very smart movie, that requires thought, attention and an open mind to understand. Brilliant sequencing, shooting, and acting add up to a film that gives one a glimpse into a tragic condition. This movie will be hard to top. I wish, but I doubt, this movie would be recognized by the Academy and nominate if only to bring it to a wider audience.