Why so complicated? *SPoilers*

Rating: 10/10 (8 March 2003)

I've just watched Memento and was amazed that such superb films can still be made these days in comparison to the mass-media crap that has been the norm for way too many years now. I'd certainly put it on a par with 12 Monkeys and The Sixth Sense in terms of a film made to invoke audience intelligence.
Actually my wife and I watched it flabberghasted at the detail and puzzle of each moment as it unfolded. Each trying to answer the final answer as the film ran it's course.
Since watching it, I availed myself of the many sites dedicated to unfolding the mysteries within the movie. At first I was unclear to the conjecture and *myths" within the confounds of a basically simple film. Then as I was drawn into the numerous (and often) quirky and deep reverential references made (or supposed) and found myself drawn into the ideas based on much effort and imagination based on investigation unequalled for a movie as this.
In fact I read so much as to the unanswered (and guessed at) in this movie that it spoilt my initial enjoyment - and came to this simple conclusion: Leonard cannot cope with life without the impetus to find his wife's killer at all costs. It is this simple emotion that drives him and keeps him alive. Without it he has no reason to live. The STM leads only to the next time he has to chase his next "victim". Without this reason to find his wife's killer he may well as be dead. That's why when he gives "himself" information about Teddy at the "start" of the film, with the numberplate, he leaves himself another time-period to find his wife's killer again. How many times this has happened? But does it matter, because this film is a snapshot of a few days of Leonards life - what happened before who knows (apart from being coerced by a bent cop) and after - whatever?
This mans whole life is driven by love. A love for a dead wife, who's rapist and murderer he must seek to destroy to keep his own life.

NO he is not Sammmy. STM is very rare to this extent and I feel this focus is to reinforce Leonard's own mental state.
I liked this film a lot. So much so I've given a few lines on this website - something I've never felt driven to before. But I implore anyone who watches this. Just watch and enjoy, don't try to look too deeply.
Kj