A great film (note: spoilers)

Rating: 10/10 (17 May 2001)

This commentary will serve a number of purposes: first, to give my opinion on this film. Second, to outline a few theories I have on various aspects of the film. And third, to point out (what I perceive as) errors in judgment of this film that others who have commented have made.
First off, this is a magnificent piece of work. Through the first thirty or so minutes of this film (which I have only seen once thus far), I was mesmerized by the technical/editing magnificence of this film. The editing of this movie is like no other I have ever seen. Others have compared this movie to films like "The Usual Suspects" (which I agree is a great film, too), "Fight Club" (which is one of my all-time favourites), "Pulp Fiction" (great), "Clean Slate" (have not seen), and "The Third Man" (have not seen). Another film (which I haven't noticed anyone mention) that plays around with ambiguities/timelines/etc. in a similarly-masterful way is the little-seen "Schizopolis" by Steven Soderbergh. And then there's "Clean, Shaven", which also tries to put us in the shoes of a highly unusual character (Memento - person with anteriograde amnesia; Clean, Shaven - person with schizophrenia).
Even if this movie only had the technical/editing aspects going for it, I'd still be a big fan of it - but it does have much more going for it. Contrary to what some of said, I find this film to have quite a well-constructed storyline and group of characters. The fact that this film is told in pseudo-reverse adds to the quality of the film - but it still would have been great told in the "correct" order. One reason I say this: the killing of Teddy at the "end" (beginning of movie) would have had much more of an impact if we knew what came before that incident. As it is, the killing of Jimmy at the "beginning" (end of movie) has a greater impact due to the order in which the story is told. Also, contrary to what some have said, I enjoy a film with ambiguities: some may view that as a cop-out by the writer, but I view it as an opportunity for discussion to ensue.
Now, a few points. There's one main theory that I have about this movie that I have not read in any other review. Most - if not all - reviews of this movie make a point of there being some length-of-time significance to Leonard's memory problems; his short-term memory lasts 3 minutes, 6 minutes, 8 minutes, whatever. I disagree that his memory problem has anything to do with time at all; look to the scene where Natalie shows herself to be manipulating him. As she goes outside to her car, Leonard searches frantically for a pen to write down the fact that Natalie is manipulating him. In the process of searching for a pen, he forgets that Natalie was manipulating him - because the focus of his memory shifted from WHAT he was trying to remember to the mere act OF remembering; he was trying so hard to remember that Natalie had manipulated him that he lost track of what he was trying to remember. Another instance of this occurs when Leonard meets with Natalie at Natalie's bar. So it isn't a matter of time that determines whether or not he can remember something - it's how well he is able to maintain his focus on an idea. So long as he's able to stay focused on an idea, his recollection of that idea is intact. Given the frantic nature of the human mind, however, it's nearly impossible for anyone to stay completely focused on one idea for any siginicant length of time; thus, Leonard loses track of what he's doing. (As Sean Penn says in "Hurlyburly", "You know what's my biggest distraction? Me. I am my own biggest distraction.") Thus, his problem doesn't have anything to do with the passage of time, but rather his brain's ability to record information prior to his forgetting it. I'm not sure if this corresponds to "true" anteriograde amnesia, but in any case, that's how I view *Leonard's* condition.
Secondly, some have mentioned being suspicious of Leonard's previous job - whether or not he was an insurance investigator, since it's odd for an insurance investigator to drive a truck. I'm not going to touch on whether or not he had that job, but I will say this - recall early in the movie when he takes Teddy out to the remote building? The truck that Leonard uses to drive out there earlier (later) to kill Jimmy is still there. Leonard does not recognize it. If the truck was his before the incident, he would remember it (of course, he may be faking..)
And finally, the biggest problem people have with this movie - how can he remember his condition? Evidently, those with anteriograde amnesia DO know that they suffer from the condition (somehow).
Definitely one of the most unique films ever crafted; it's uniqueness is due to the nature of film itself, as this film is a great demonstration of the power and flexibility that is inherant in this unique genre of entertainment. When the capabilities of this genre are used to their full potential (as so few films do), beautifully-unique things can be crafted - things that cannot be crafted in any other form of entertainment.