Today’s quick review: Memento. A man (Guy Pearce) suffers from a peculiar form of amnesia in which he cannot form new memories. He lives life in bursts of several minutes, guided only by notes, polaroids, and tattoos left by his past self. Waking up in a hotel room, he learns that he has been hunting after his wife’s killer and now may have enough clues to find him.
Memento is a fantastic thriller from Christopher Nolan. The story proceeds in reverse: the first several minutes of the movie are the last chronologically, and each subsequent scene takes place a few minutes farther into the past. This setup ensures that the events of the film are just as much of a mystery to the audience as they are to the main character. Using this one concept, Memento weaves a tale of uncertainty and paranoia. The main character depends entirely on the information he receives from himself and the people around him to make his decisions, and not everyone has his best interests at heart.
Memento is a must-see for its unique premise and its phenomenal execution. Fans of cerebral thrillers will have plenty to chew on, while fans of Christopher Nolan can look forward to a movie as mind-bending as Inception but darker in tone. However, Memento is a difficult watch and should not be tackled lightly. The complicated nature of the plot requires the viewer’s full attention, while the high levels of tension throughout the movie make it emotionally wrenching to watch. Watch it when you’re in the mood for a tense, well-crafted thriller with plenty of mystery. Put it off for another time if you don’t feel like investing the effort needed to follow what’s going on, and skip it altogether if you prefer lighter movies. 8.5 out of 10 on IMDB.