Memento is a 2001 neo-noir psychological thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan. Memento is Nolan's second film as a director. This is a mystery and suspense combined which can be classified under classic cult story telling method. The film is about a guy who suffers a short term memory loss after an incident involving rape and murder of his wife while him getting hit at the back of his head leaving him to suffer the memory malfunction. With his disorder, he seeks vengeance for the loss as he uses glimpse of his memory, written notes and polaroid photographs taken as assistance.
In conjunction to that, The film begins with a beautiful shot of him holding a polaroid photograph which the colour changes. Then he carries on with glimpse of his memory to accomplish his desire of seeking vengeance for what happened to his wife. While he ventures into the attempt, he tries to recall what happened and the culprit behind the incident. He is assisted with pictures of number plate of a car and a specific name which starts with J and G as first and last name of the murderer. He then meets a few individuals like Sammy Jankis, one of Lenny's first insurance investigation. A motel clerk he lives in, who helps him out time in and out. Natalie, a woman working at a bar. Dodd, Natalie's boyfriend who Leonard believes to be the murderer. Teddy, a cop who helps Lenny with his mission. finally, Jimmy a drug dealer whom Lenny kills believing him to be the murderer of his wife. Following that, he goes around the same area finding for the culprit. Finally, after killing Jimmy Grants, he is still unsure whether if it is the guy and the characteristics of Lenny is changed from being positive to negative as it is portrayed that he continues his journey of seeking the murderer after he is not convinced that he killed the right guy. The hypothetical ending is definitely something to look up to and what many film audiences favour. At the current times, it would be normal to see such ending but in 2001, it is definitely something new and to look up for, allowing the audiences to think.
In terms of plot of the film, Nolan used his unique way of story telling blending parts of beginning and end. The purpose of this unique story telling method could be for the audience to feel the disability of Leonard which is his short term memory, an appealing factor for audiences to like the film. This reversed story telling method indirectly made the movie more intense and thrilling allowing the audiences to feel the suspense. Somehow, this maybe a negative factor for audiences if they miss a minute of the film as they will definitely lose track of the movie flow which is a dislike for me. Besides that factor, the characterization of Leonard is hard to understand as he does not reveal his profession and other background about himself but somehow as the story flows we understand his character profile like him revealing that he is an insurance agent when he is asked by Teddy.
Apart from that, the film involves more monologue type dialogues to allow audiences to engage with the protagonist's journey. Throughout the film, Leonard speaks about his memory and reminds himself about his do and don't in the film. For example, Leonard reminding himself to not answer the phone call. This film is a post-modernism which defines a new technique or method of film making, breaking the barriers of being cliche. This way of storytelling was inspired by the Indian film industry allowing them to remake the film.
Additionally, in terms of the the cuts and editing, Nolan emphasized the importance of editing by mixing the black&white and coloured compilation of footage. For example, Black&White representing the current and Colour portraying the past. The essence of post modernism is applied in the editing process as it would be new in 2001. It is not new for audiences and fans of Nolan to witness such film now, but back then it would've definitely been a good learn for film makers, something that is a positive point and what I liked about the film.
Guy Pearce has also done a good job in terms of acting as he suit the character with the physique. He played a confused character and brought the audiences to follow his journey wisely. That is what a actor should do and Guy Pearce has used his experience in acting well to accomplish that task while playing Lenny @ Leonard. Most importantly, the end when he turns from a positive to negative character. His reaction is minimal but is enough to convince the audiences that he is right with his wrong doings, a hypothetical way allowing the audiences to decide whether if he is doing the right or wrong.
To conclude the entire discussion, we can never say Nolan's film is bad because of his unique and new way of storytelling in every of his movies. This film definitely allowed the audiences to sit at their edge of their seat and know what is about to happen next. The intensity of the film is really strong despite the new method of footage compiled. Film makers should this way of creativity when telling their story as this is a great piece of art. A similar movie that is made by Christopher Nolan is Inception, where a different type of movie is made.
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