Brief thoughts on a terrific movie

Rating: 9/10 (5 January 2003)

I found Memento to be one of those truly remarkable films that stays with you long after watching it (be it the 1st time, or the 4th).
The main point of interest is how the film is edited; it basically runs backwards in time, showing the last occurrence first and vice versa. This could be seen as a cheap stunt to generate interest, but it turns out to be an extremely effective and clever technique. The main character, Leonard, is an anterograde amnesiac - he can't form new lasting memories after his head injury. Whatever he experiences he can only remember for less than a minute. Therefore Nolan has placed us in his shoes, not knowing what came before, but slowly finding out.
The social/moral content in this film basically revolves around Leonard's plight, and his dubious actions. A year or so before the film's setting, when he sustained his head injury in a brawl with a home invader, his wife was killed (supposedly by the invader). This sent him on a mission of revenge to track down and murder the perpetrators. As he can't form new memories, he has to write himself 'mementos'. Most are on Polaroid photos, and he even goes so far as to tattoo important notes on his body. Though he wouldn't even remember himself getting revenge if he succeeds, he believes that justice for his wife will be done nonetheless. This attitude, combined with his memory loss, leads him to make some very bad decisions which I can't go into without spoiling somewhat.
Anyway, the acting is quite good all round, especially the humourous Teddy (played by Joe Pantoliano, the traitor in The Matrix). The main musical theme is a very eerie tune and seems to set the tone for Leonard's sad and ultimately destroyed life. The ending of the film (along with much of the rest of it) was very confusing and quite open to interpretation, but nevertheless striking.
Recommended to anyone who wants a challenging, intelligent breakaway from mainstream tripe.