Movie Review: Memento

Story: Great just is movie this! Excuse my backward thought process. I am still in a reverse thinking pattern from this whale of a film. Essentially the story is revealed from the last frame, first. The viewer is made to do a bit of work in this riveting thriller, written and directed by Christopher Nolan. (His brother came up with the idea during a road trip they took together.) Nolan won the 2001 Sundance Screenwriting Prize for this work (I can't imagine why he did not win for Best Film at the same Festival). I know we all laugh at short term memory lapses .........what was I saying? Oh yes, our lead character, Leonard Shelby suffers from an inability to create new memories since he received a blow on the head while fighting off the man who raped and murdered his wife. The only memories and 'sense of self' he retains occurred up until the night of the murder. He longs for revenge and is only able to create a new life and daily memory by recording events through Polaroid snapshots, notes and body tattoos. This is a gem of a film and even though movie ticket prices are now $10 it is worth a second viewing. I would imagine it is even better the second time around.

Warning: Do not leave the theater during this film. There is no catching up.

Acting: Another great Australian actor comes our way - Guy Pearce (Pricilla, Queen of the Desert and LA Confidential). He is intense, intelligent and fascinating to watch. Two Matrix veterans, Carrie-Ann Moss and Joe Pantolino are terrific as well. Considering that this film is plot driven the actors have a difficult time creating personality.

Critters: None. He would not remember to walk or feed them or he would overfeed them.

Food: Beer

Visual Art: Motel art

Blatant Product Placement: Polaroid and Jaguar

Soundtrack: Don't remember.

Opening Titles: Very clever use of a Polaroid snapshot of a murdered man - in the process of undeveloping.

Theater Audience: We went to an early show and were surprised by the number of people. It will be interesting to see if this film becomes a cult favorite. I think it has small distribution so you may have to travel a bit to find it.

Quirky Meter: 5

Squirm Scale: Tattoos make me squirm.

Oscar Worthy: Yes

Nit Picking: There is no time for any nitpicking type of thought process during this film.

Big Screen or Rental: See it as soon as possible.

Length: 2 hours.

LOBO HOWLS: 9