His solid ordinariness gives the wild ride of the film one truly consistent element that seems to anchor it in the real world. As a visual film-maker, Nolan is effective. He and his Directors of Photography, an uncredited Jordan Alan, and Wally Pfister, use the camera as a participant in scenes as often as an observer. The tight framing and mobility of hand-held cameras gives the action an immediacy and a claustrophobic feel that fits well with Shelby's perspective. There is a lot of jump-cutting and quick editing, and once or twice the visual technique comes dangerously close to the style of music video, but each time Nolan is able to move back before falling into cliche.
Memento is a very smart film.
There are points where it is in danger of being too clever for its own good. It is a film that is confidently high on style, but one that is certainly not without substance. Nolan has made an enjoyable film, that establishes him as a film maker worth watching. That's my take on it.