Memento

Premise: Did you ever see the backwards episode of Seinfeld? Well, it's like that, only not as funny. Leonard (Guy Pierce) seeks to avenge the rape and murder of his wife with the help of a police officer, Teddy (Joe Pantoliano), and a waitress, Natalie (Carrie-Anne Moss).

The film does indeed go backwards from the death of Leonard's suspect to his clues of who the subject was/is. It also goes forwards in black and white to tell a similar, but equally disturbing, tale. Some flashbacks are in colour, others black and white. I'm sure you can pick up the significance of this one. The reason the film itself goes backwards is Leonard was smacked in the head during the attack on his wife, and he suffers from anterograde memory loss. Basically, he cannot form new memories. By consequence, the film occurs in fifteen minute segments like Leonard's memory does. You'll notice that a heightened anxiety level shortens those segments.

This film is powerful. Christopher Nolan's direction is masterful. He has a gift for timing, creating and sustaining suspense as time goes backwards and forwards simultaneously. He adapted the screenplay from a short-story by his brother, Jonathan Nolan. I believe because he was close enough to the writer to do so that his adapted screenplay is better than many out there, and, thus, he garnered himself an Academy Award nomination.

Guy Pierce, although he has gone on to some questionable material, is provocative as the crippled and crippling Leonard Shelby. Movies are generally shot out of sequence, so the case could be made that acting in this film is no different than any other. I disagree. Pierce must inhabit a character who does not inhabit his own body. His disturbing quest to avenge his wife's death is his only motive to get up in the morning, and, even then, his first thoughts are not of her. Because, as he says, he "can't remember to forget [her]." What I found to be the most sad of all was his first thought when he does wake up: "Awake." I couldn't imagine what it must be like to live when life holds no meaning for you.

Carrie-Anne Moss, who pushed to have Joe Pantoliano hired, and Pantoliano himself are excellent supporting actors. They shape the film's mood because they shape the actions of Leonard. They both seem to know their power, and their performances are demonstrative of such.

I have to admit, no matter how many times I watch the film, I find myself rooting for the wrong guy. You'll see what I mean.

Overall, this film is the best of 2000. If you haven't already seen it, then you should. Take time to watch it. Take time to savour it, to ponder it. It will control you, if only for couple of hours.