Every once in a while, there comes a movie that leaves an indelible impression on our mind. You are left staring at the screen, not only because you are awe-struck, but also coz u donot want the movie to end. Memento, directed by the well acclaimed director Christopher Nolan(Batman Begins - 2005), is one such a movie and much more. The many possibilities that this movie projects, would leave people guessing for years together, and still they would never reach a consensus. This movie stars Guy Pearce(The Count of Monte Cristo-2002) in the lead.The movie is based on a short story by Jonathan Nolan, who happens to be Christopher's brother. Interestingly though, the movie is considered to be having an original screenplay and not an adapted screenplay, as "Memento Mori" was not published when the movie was released. With a budget of not more than 5 million, this low budget movie opened to a paltry 250 hundred thousand in the opening weekend, but grossed a total of 25millions in the US alone.
The movie starts with a murder -- a revenge killing, in fact. But was the right person killed? Leonard Shelby is a man with no short-term memory. He hasn't been able to form new memories since the night his wife was murdered. Now he's on a hunt to find the murderer but with no way of remembering names, dates, places, facts and faces. Instead he tattoos himself with mementos of his search. When someone knows his name, he checks Polaroid photographs to see if he knows them. Does he like this person? Does he trust this person? Is this the killer? He doesn't know unless he's scribbled a note at the back of the polaroid.
Don't worry about trying to empathize with Leonard, because Writer/Director Christopher Nolan puts you right in Leonard's shoes. You live the story in reverse order so that you never know more than Leonard does. In one scene you see Leonard getting information from a person who knows him -- maybe a good person, maybe bad. In the next scene you see a previous meeting between the two, which sheds more light on their relationship. Later still you see how they met. But is that all of the story? You've yet to find out... and you won't know everything until the last scene. By living it backwards, you, like Leonard, have no knowledge of what came before. As the movie keeps going backwards and traces Lenny's journey, the plot unfolds new shades of the characters, which makes the movie more intriguing, dark and intense. And when the end arrives, itll hit you in the face with such distinction that you would be carrying that look on your face for quite some time. Once you finish this movie, you would want to discuss it with each and everyone who has watched the movie. Be it in the grocery store or in class(as i might be doing).
The movie poses questions of magnanimous scope...like for example.. In the words of Lenny "I know what that's going to sound like when I knock on it. I know that's what going to feel like when I pick it up. See? Certainties. It's the kind of memory that you take for granted. Memory can change the shape of a room; it can change the color of a car. And memories can be distorted. They're just an interpretation, they're not a record, and they're irrelevant if you have the facts." but how far is all this true. what happens to guilt if you cannot remember what you did? How can we learn from our experiences if we cannot remember them. What is the purpose of revenge if someone cannot recollect it?
You just cant help but sympathise with Lenny when he says"When I looked into his eyes I thought I saw recognition. Now I know. You fake it. If you think you're supposed to recognize somebody, you just pretend. You bluff it to get a pat on the head from the doctors. You bluff it to seem less like a freak."
"Memento" is still a unique mystery thriller. It is an out of the world experience which we do not often come across at the movies. For audiences who like to sit back and relax, this film is a waste of time. It requires us to follow along, participate and fit puzzle pieces together. "Memento" doesn't provide any easy or obvious answers. All but the most intelligent and thoughtful kids will not be able to follow this film. It is intended for adult audiences. "Memento" is one of the most challenging movies, and is not to be missed if you are looking for something clever and original.
