Watch with friends, then go down the pub to discuss it

Rating: 10/10 (11 November 2000)

How do I say how great this film is without giving away too much? Gladiator may be the best film out this year for sheer enjoyment, but this is the best film to watch with friends. There is so much to think about in this film that you need a few people to watch it with you so that you can all swap ideas afterwards.
Basically, Guy Pearce plays Leonard, a man who suffered brain damage in an incident. This has left him with the inability to create new memories so everything he experiences will be forgotten within minutes unless he records it somehow. This ranges from photographs with hand-written notes on them through to tattoos on his body.
The style of the movie is very unusual. The story starts at the beginning and the end, and works its way to the middle from both sides. Now this may sound stupid, but trust me, it works. The first few minutes are confusing, but once you get the idea of what is happening, then you can settle back and enjoy.
The only film I can think of that compares to this is The Usual Suspects, but only in the way that you never know if you are being told the truth or not. This one will keep you guessing all the way through and still leave plenty to argue about with your friends.
I don't know about other countries, but this film appears to have got zero publicity in the UK. I knew nothing about it until a friend from work phoned me this afternoon asking if I wanted to see it. I'm glad he did as I hate to think I might have missed out on this absolute gem of a film.
You should definitely watch this film, but like I say in the subject line, go with some friends. Afterwards, find a quiet table in the pub and talk it through. You will not regret it.