"You're not a killer. That's why you're so good at it."

Rating: 9/10 (9 April 2001)

(*probable spoilers*) I read a review of The Talented Mr Ripley which summed up a large part of that film for me. It said something like, "It's when he kills that we feel most sorry for him". Well Memento's backwards approach doesn't give us that context immediately, but towards the end it has sunk in just how sad this story really is. In some ways they are alike; stories about people who have little in the way of identity, only iron clad purpose and desire. They don't know who they are, but they're fairly certain where they have to go (even if deluded on that front as well). Stories about the manufacturing of truth.
I liked Memento better too. Despite its depressing basis its not relentlessly sad. Leonard's deadpan narration, "Now, where was I?", cry of the perpetually distracted, is pretty funny at times. And further illustrates what's wrong with him. In fact, pretty much everything about this film does (well, as much as it could for people with brains that can piece together a film). Many will dismiss it as gimmicky and say the rug is pulled out right at the end. But it's interesting and entertaining in every way. Don't miss it. (I note in the business data that it opened on 11 screens in the States?!?! This is pathetic!)