Released in 2000, Memento is based on the short story 'Memento Mori' by Nolan's brother Jonathan. Chris Nolan adapted the screenplay from this story, as well as handled the directing. The films stars Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss and Joe Pantaliano. It follows a man with a very rare mental disorder trying to find the man who raped and murdered his wife and take his revenge. It has great acting turns, an engaging story, and one of the most interesting and unique film structures ever witnessed.
As I just mentioned, the movies structure is very outlandish, and while it is very fascinating and creates a very interesting experience, it makes it very difficult to divulge the plot without including spoilers, which I vehemently avoid. The story is told in reverse chronological order, where we see an event taking place, then in the following scene, we see how we got to that scene in the first place. For example, if a character was going to the local shops to buy a newspaper, we would see them buying the paper, then going into the shop, then leaving their house to go to the shops. What is the purpose of this? Basically, it puts us in the same frame of mind as our protagonist Leonard Shelby (Pearce, in one of his finest performances). He has a psychological condition known as anterograde amnesia, which impedes his ability to make new memories, causing him to forget anything he learns in a matter of seconds. Every time a scene opens, he's starting all over again, since he can't remember what he just learned. Many people who watch this movie call it 'confusing', but that's the whole point; we are supposed to feel just as confused as Leonard is, and it allows us to keep guessing right up until the end. Or the beginning in this case.
Leonard is out to catch the man who caused not only the death of his wife, but also the loss of his short term memory. In order to keep track on all his discoveries, he has numerous tattoos and keep notes and photographs, allowing him to record all the people, places and things he has encountered pertaining to his investigation. We are never sure if he is after the right person, if he is following the right leads, or whether the people he encounters are a help or a hindrance. There are 2 principal supporting characters. One is Teddy (Pantaliano), a mysterious individual who seems determined to help Leonard, but for no apparent reason. He acts like Leonard's friend, but our hero keeps his distance.
The other is Natalie (Moss), who is initially hostile towards Leonard, insulting him and his late wife, as well as being unwilling to believe his condition. But as time goes on, she tries to help him, while still not fully understanding him. We are not sure whether either of them are good news, and neither does Leonard, but find that he has to trust one of them.
This is definitely one of the best films of the noughties: clever, original, brilliantly directed, well acted, and one that never gives a thing away. It's not a film you can sit down and casually view, or tune in halfway through. It requires a great deal of thought to decipher it. Starting a film at the end sound like a pretty dumb idea, but in the hands of Chris Nolan, it works perfectly. So if you're willing to invest a deal of time and brainpower iunto a flick, give this one a look, you won't regret it.
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