Sheer Brilliance Distilled into Movie Form!

Rating: 10/10 (5 May 2002)

Memento, quite simply, has one of the most daring, most inventive, most singularly AMAZING screenplays ever written. The acting (Guy Pearce, Carrie Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano) is vibrant, the direction and editing is laser-sharp and inspired, but the screenplay takes Memento from that nebulous realm of good movies into the heights of the GREAT MOVIES OF ALL TIME. Seeing this movie restored my faith in the intelligence and power of cinema.
Viewers be warned, the jumbled chronology and hidden clues necessitate multiple viewings, no matter how closely you pay attention. Anyone who finds this film boring or confusing simply has not taken the time to gain a full understanding of everything the Nolan brothers packed into this gem. Personally, I was won over by the end of its fascinating (and ultimately symbolic) opening scene, but if you feel a little let down after your first viewing, do yourself a favor and watch it again.
After you've watched it at least twice, I recommend watching it a couple more times so you can catch the tiny visual clues that really solidify your understanding of the truth. In particular, watch VERY closely during these two scenes: 1) Sammy Jankis sitting in his chair in the old folks home, 2) the final flashbacks that occur as Lenny is driving to the tattoo parlor at the end of the movie. You might also notice that some of Lenny's mannerisms and lines cleverly refer to his past habits. These kind of easter eggs just made the movie even better for me.
Any film lover who hasn't seen this movie is missing out on a singular, unforgettable experience. 10/10