4 out of 5 stars

Rating: 7/10 (23 January 2002)

Inventive, unique, engaging film about a man with short-term memory loss trying to piece together and avenge his wife's rape and murder. Told backwards, this film makes us feel the confusion, delusion, and frustration of the main character (Guy Pearce) as he tries to determine who he can trust and where to go next. Pearce is on screen for every scene, and he delivers a strong performance, both chilling and inspirational at the same time. Director Nolan also hits us with a subliminal message about the ultimate futility of revenge and the human desire to make sense of the world around us. In the end, this film's creative style and backwards motion carry it high above an otherwise everyday noir plot. Never loses its focus and keeps you thinking well after the credits role-for better or worse.