Definitely not instantly forgettable

Rating: 7/10 (9 December 2000)

British director Christopher Nolan's latest venture is an intriguing and often confusing attempt to portray the events of a young widower with vengeance in mind for his late wife's killing. What makes this different from your average revenge film is that Lenny (Guy Pearce) has a "condition" which means that since the incident (involving his wife's apparent rape and murder) he only has a two minute memory span. Nolan's stroke of genius is that he offers us such a disjointed narrative that his audience can't help but identify with Lenny's disorientation!
Throughout the film, like Lenny, we attempt to piece together some sense of chronology and most importantly we can't be sure of whom Lenny should trust. The main support roles, Carrie Anne Moss as the femme fatale and Joe Pantoliano as the private detective-type, are both notable for their moral ambiguities.
Not only is the plot structure a refreshing and rewarding experience, the performances are certainly up to scratch with Guy Pearce giving another fine display in the lead role, proving that LA Confidential wasn't just a flash in the pan.