Cinematic brilliance

Rating: 10/10 (2 July 2001)

This is an absolutely astounding film. I have never seen a more accomplished piece of storytelling.
I was one of those who needed to see the film twice to 'get it', but I was so mesmerised the first time, and so interested to piece together more of the jigsaw that I watched it for the second time immediately afterwoods.
When it 'clicked', and I realised that the film is intercutting between the actual story - which is playing in reverse, and the backstory - which is playing forwards (in black and white), and the way these two elements 'meet' at the end of the film when it dissolves from black and white into colour - this was probably the single biggest piece of cinematic genius I have ever witnessed, and elevated an already gobsmaking film to legendary status. Apart from this being an incredible storytelling method, it is completely appropriate in that you do experience the film in the fragmented and disjointed way that the central character experiences life.
A perfect marriage of intellectually stimulating storytelling and sheer entertainment.