MEMENTO.. In dictionery terms , a keepsake or sovenoir of remembrance.
Let me confess that I decided to see this film only after getting it linked with the much awaited Ghazini.
Plot-It is a psychological thriller written and directed by Christopher Nalon , starring Guy Pearce ( as Leonard Shelby, a former insurance fraud investigator, searching for the man he believes raped and killed his wife during a burglary.)
Leonard suffers from anterograde amnesia , which he contracted from severe head trauma during the attack on his wife. This stopped his brain to store new memories. To cope with his condition, he maintains notes, photographs, and tattoos to record information about himself and others, including his wife’skiller. He is aided in his investigation by Teddy ( star- Joe Panatoliano ) and Natalie ( Carrie Annie Moss ) neither of whom he can trust.
The film’s events are shown in two separate, alternating narratives—one in color, and the other in black and white. The black and white sections are told in chronological order, showing Leonard conversing with an anonymous phone caller in a motel room.Leonard’s investigation is depicted in five-minute color sequences thatare in reverse chronological order. As each scene begins, Leonard has just lost his recent memories, leaving him unaware of where he is or what he was doing. The scene endsjust after its events fade from his memory. By reversing the order, thespectator is unaware of the preceding events, just like Leonard. By thefilm’s end, the two narratives converge into a single color sequence.This movie was Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 42 wins&32 nominations
The actors have worked brilliantly.
Guy Pearce( Leonard) is just awesome. His "Condition" will make you fall in love with him and have sympathy with him. The scene where he looks for a pen to write the instance down before he forgets is just superb. A masterpiece from him.
Carrie Annie Moss ( Natalie) - I have seen her powerful acting in Matrix and this one was again one such act. Although not much of a role to play , but she seems to be skeptical through out , which makes you feel yourself , "is she to be trusted or not? ".
Best scenes-
When he looks for a pen to note down before he forgets something and the thud of a car door outside makes him forget.
When he is talking on phone and removes a bandage from his right arm which reads, " Never Answer The Phone" and the shock on his face , urging him to put the phone down.
When he is running and suddenly forgets why and where and says, " Okay, What am I doing ? ?
( Notices someone running in his parallel) says, " I’m chasing this guy.? " and then run towards him ...only to find out he was running after him and shooting at him, says " Nope. He’s chasing me." and runs for his life.
His repeatedly saying " I have this condition ."
When he finds himself in a bathroom and a bottle of alcohol in his hand , says " I don’t feel drunk " etc etc .
Memento ’s fragmented, complex narrative is skilfully executed and it keeps audiences guessing.
One thing I would say atlast is that , it is one of its own kind and needs to be seen ( before you see Ghazini - coz that will help all of us to see how much has been copied , of course minus the songs.
Courtesy - From a website link of the movie.