Memento

To be shown: 4 February 2002

USA 2000
113 minutes
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Leading players - Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano.

Synopsis

We start with the murder of a woman. She and her husband have been attacked by an intruder. She's dead and he is brain damaged, his short-term memory is gone. We enter into the husband's mind as he tries to work out what happened.

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This simple plot line gives little indication of the concentration the audience must bring to this utterly gripping film. Leonard, the husband (Guy Pearce), gradually builds up the chilling story in short bursts, starting at the end, so it is necessary to remember just how the clues are stacking up as we are gradually shown what occurred.

As a way of building suspense, this method cannot be faulted and Nolan carries it off triumphantly. But he also strives for something else Ð an investigation into the concept of memory, the manipulation of truth that is based on memory - manipulation not just by others but also by oneself in an effort to construct a meaningful life. As Leonard says "Memory can change the shape of a room; it can change the colour 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 whose facts? How true is Leonard's final version of the events leading up to his wife's murder?

Those who attended the 1999 Dinard Film Festival and saw Nolan's first feature film, the original and intriguing Following, will not be disappointed. Although similar in atmosphere, Memento shows this British director has not sold out despite accepting the Hollywood dollar.