A black comedy, film-noir thriller. A minor cult masterpiece.

Rating: 8/10 (24 December 2000)

A perfect film for noir fans, uncompromising and relentless. The story runs in reverse,scene by scene, from the final shot of a killing to the beginning, where all that has gone before becomes explained. Although even this is open to ambiguity and will merit a re-viewing to check on the details. Leonard (Guy Pierce), an insurance investigator, is a man suffering from short-term memory loss following a brutal attack at his home. We learn that he is seeking the killer of his wife despite the fact that he cannot make sense of the world beyond a fifteen minute span of memory. He is forced to keep records of important clues by tattoos on his body and taking polaroids of places and people, on which he has written notes to himself. As each scene opens we are only able to make sense of it by the knowledge of what is to come.
Running through the film is a separate series of scenes, shot in the right order, which illuminates the plot still further; Leonard explains on the telephone to an unseen listener the case study of a man he dealt with in his earlier life before he was injured, who was similarly afflicted. Leonard's job was to investigate and decide if the man's illness was psychological or physical, a fine distinction but necessary for the insurance claim. His decision haunts him and is made poignant and relevant by his own current condition.
The cast is excellent. Joe Pantaloni as Teddy, who may or may not be a cop and the delicious Carry-Anne Moss, a perfect femme fatale. But it is Pierce who lends the right air, a hero making sense of the incomprehensible, vulnerable yet tough, bewildered but determined. As we begin to understand Leonard we are taken into his world with wit and technical skill and we believe in it.
Despite the films obvious virtuosity some of the plot twists become a little obvious as we become used to the nuances of the characters affliction and at times the thriller element is lost; but this is a minor criticism, the film is inventive, intelligent and has more than a liberal dose of black humour. Full marks to all involved; it deserves to be a cult masterpiece.