Fabulous Film

Rating: 9/10 (20 June 2011)

When "Memento" first started up, I was a little bit skeptical. To my surprise, I was immediately entranced by this clever film. Obviously, the plot structure is the most notable part of this work. While the majority of the audience found it confusing and nonsensical, I thought it was perfect. You didn't have to think until you were exhausted, but it did require the audience to pay attention all the way through. The ending was somewhat predictable. I figured out that Leonard was actually Sammy Jenkins when Teddy said (for the second time) "That's who you were, but who are you now?" It made me realize that his story corresponds perfectly to that of Sammy's. It just makes me question the validity of the movie as a whole. What really happened? How do we know? Is there any way to tell? Even if we watch the movie in "order", with all the color pieces in their chronological sequence, would the movie be different? Personally, I believe the movie wouldn't be nearly as captivating nor interesting.
Another key element in this film is the concept of time and its passing. Leonard has no concept of time, and thus, we as the audience have to forget all of our preconceived notions about time. If we don't, then it's easy to get lost in Leonard's condition. For example, when Natalie leaves the house for a moment or two to manipulate Leonard, we see her exit her car, then go back to enter it, and then exit again. If we as the viewer didn't understand that time has no meaning to someone with a memory problem, then we cannot figure out why society interacts with them in such peculiar ways.
The acting in this movie was fantastic. I love Guy Pearce, and his acting choices fit in perfect correlation with how it was written. Natalie was quite an obnoxious, manipulative demon, but Stowe's acting was impeccable. Even the little characters, like Burt the rental guy, seemed to be extremely realistic, which always adds points to a film.
All in all, Memento was a fabulous film. I had no major qualms with it.