Very Great Film (warning: no content SPOILER, but plot structure trick revealed)

Rating: 9/10 (15 June 2004)

I don't know why I bother with the warning, probably every other commentor has already revealed this: This movie starts at the ending. At first they're quite literally playing the scene backwards, but don't worry they don't keep doing that.
But it's a really neat deal that the movie plays backwards (reverse chronological), starting with a scene at the end of the story and working its way towards the beginning. The main character has a (real) disorder where his hippocampus doesn't work right so he's unable to form new long term memories. Having the movie play from end to start allows us to appreciate *his* perspective on the events of his life as they unfold. I.e., we the viewers are just as in the dark about what he's just done or what's just happened as he is.
This is a really, really incredibly great film. It's got action and suspense, pathos and all that, plus it was just a whole lotta fun to watch. I should mention that it's not the *happiest* story ever told. If you're looking for sugary sweet stories, go elsewhere.
IMHO, Memento has a lot to tell us about how we think, how know, and how much we can trust our memories.