Haven't I seen this somewhere before?

Rating: Null/10 (9 July 2001)

I enjoyed "Memento," mostly because Guy Pearce was so utterly successful in getting me to buy into his character. Ultimately, though, this movie relies on a gimmick, much like "The Usual Suspects" and "The Sixth Sense" did. Judging by the ratings these movies have garnered from IMDb users, people like these tactics, and are eager for more of the same. While the 'hook' in "Memento" is more credible than those of the other two, it is by no means original. The idea which permits the reverse-chronology structure to function is that of Pearce having lost his short-term memory and consequently being forced to rely on polaroid snaps and notes to (and on) himself in order to make judgments and plan his days. Does this ring a bell? I would suggest any moviegoers who think this was a brilliantly original idea go out and rent Tom Tykwer's "Winterschläfer" ("Wintersleepers"), the precursor to his international hit, "Lola Rennt" ("Run Lola Run"). Those who do will see a principal character with the exact same problem and technique (minus the tattoos) for solving it. Given that "Winterschläfer" did the U.S. and international art house and festival rounds, and received quite a number of important awards, it's pretty hard to believe that the Nolans were unaware of it, and happened to come up with identical concept by chance a couple of years later Don't take my word for it: judge for yourselves.