A intelligence, compelling piece of filmmaking

Rating: 10/10 (23 June 2012)

Memento is a wonderingly complex, intelligence and bold thriller from Christopher Nolan, offering us a rich tapestry of story and ideas. It was the film that put Nolan on the map and was one very compelling thriller.
Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) is a man suffering anterograde amnesia, which results in having no short term memory. He has to take Polaroid photos and making a lot of notes to get by as he solves the mystery of who raped and murdered his wife. He has two allies, a bartender Natalie (Carrie-Anne Moss) who is in trouble with a local drug dealer and Teddy (Joe Pantoliano). But one or both of them could be using Leonard for their own reasons. Leonard also thinks back to his past life as an insurance investigator and to a man with the same condition Samuel R. Jankis (Stephen Tobolowsky).
Nolan employs an non-linear narrative, telling the story backwards, unfolding the mystery the other way and see how Leonard came to that conclusion. We know as much as Leonard as we dissect the web of clues and we do not know who we really should trust. These are characters in there own self interests and the whole film is a puzzle.
There are three great leads performance, playing interesting characters that motivations swing back and forth as they play on Leonard's condition. They are well written, complex characters that were believably played by the actors and makes them compelling. Pearce has to be on the top of his game for a very challenging role. He pulls it off exceptionally well and it is a shame he was never the big leading actor he deserves to be.
There are some nice little touches through out the film, from a scene where one of the characters takes all the pens to prevent Leonard making a note and the different filming styles to show the duel narratives.
Memento is an intelligence, well thought out film that deserves the reputation it has earned. This is a film that deconstructs the typical storytelling approach and makes something unique, whilst still being an interesting piece of work and a compelling story.