There are certain films that require intelligence.

Pure and simple. You won't survive without it.

It's doubtful you'll even enjoy the film if you can't wrap your brain around its ideas, thoughts and concepts.

These films are dangerous for filmmakers, because they don't rely on emotional release, catharsis or manipulation. They don't ambush the audience with emotions or offer easy outs in suspenseful situations.

These films are brilliant and, quite bluntly, you must be pretty damn close to brilliant to connect with such a film.

"Memento" is such a film.

Now, the challenging confession. I am NOT a brilliant man. I cannot dazzle you with my philosophical ramblings on the existential meanings of life or the inner workings of any character with the possible exception of Cartman, Stan and Kenny from "South Park."

I am not saying I am stupid...not by any means. I am saying, however, that when a film such as "Memento" comes along I find myself getting a headache because of how intensely I must focus to really "get it." Films such as "Memento" require an investment by the audience...it is an investment in listening, thinking, processing and re-processing. Being the touchy/feely type, as I am, is not good enough in a film such as "Memento," because the director, here it's Christopher Nolan, intentionally avoids the pitfalls of an over-emoting script, emotionally manipulative scenes and, most importantly, an satisfying, emotionally conclusive ending.

In "Memento," we meet Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce). Shelby is a former insurance investigator and a surviving crime victime who is attempting to find the man who raped and murdered his wife (Jorja Fox). This, in itself, is fairly straightforward. the film, however, is not. Shelby is challenged because in the attack he suffered permanent brain damage and no longer has short-term memory. His long-term memory is intact, but his ability to remember people, names, places and events is non-existent, no matter how often it may occur. He must resort to a series of Polaroid shots to use as his constant reminders as he attempts to backtrack in his mind towards the killer of his wife.

He is aided, perhaps, in the journey by Teddy (Joe Pantoliano) and Natalie (Carrie Ann Moss).

Nolan has structured the film in such a way that it is moving backwards in an episodic way. It is as if we see short-term excerpts and, like Shelby, must work with him to piece together the puzzle, figure out how to believe, and figure out which pieces of evidence are significant or even true.

Pearce is positively astounding in the role of Leonard Shelby. It is uncomfortable and, at times, painful to watch him as he attempts to sort out the details, uncover those things he's lost, and determine the real ideas, intentions and motivations of those who profess to be helping him.

The journey itself is never truly revealed, again a characteristic of a film of true intelligence. It would have been an easy out for Nolan to reveal his answers, or simply to fall back on the potentially horrifying emotions involved here. Nolan doesn't take the easy out at any point in this process. Instead, he leaves practically every door open in this stylish, well-produced and beautifully photographed film so that the audience must itself choose the truth.

"Memento" is a film that requires great intelligence that sparkles with the inherent tension of following a man determined to right the greatest wrong in his life despite having no memory of it. In a world where Hollywood often presents films as "paint by number," Christopher Nolan has produced a film leaving the canvas blank and challenging us, the audience, to paint the picture. It's a courageous idea that works brilliantly.

© Written by Richard Propes

How We Rated This Film TC Candler - A- Richard Propes - A- Jacob Hall - A

TC Candler's Comment

OTNEMEM...

I can't think of a more inventive film since "Pulp Fiction".

Guy Pearce ("L.A. Confidential") is Leonard Shelby, a man who is searching for his wife's killer. He is bound and determined to get revenge by killing the man in cold blood. The very original and cunningly clever twist is that Leonard suffered a blow to the head during the attack and was left for dead. As a result, he is no longer able to create new memories. Everything before the attack is clear and retrievable, but everything since is forgotten moments after it takes place. Conversations that run on too long are forgotten by the time they end. Every face he sees is a new one, no matter how many times he sees them.

He keeps track of clues, faces and information, such as where he is staying or what he has to do next, by taking Polaroids and scribbling notes on them. He has also tattooed the most important FACTS in the case all over his body so they will never be forgotten.

The film is told in reverse, and although that may seem like a gimmick, it serves a very intelligent purpose. The director wants to give us the viewer the same feeling as Leonard... the feeling of not knowing what transpired before. The film is layered with short scenes that begin with the moment the next scene ends with. I know it sounds confusing but it is very easy to catch on after just two or three scenes. And it results in a very surprising and powerful ending... or beginning, depending on how you look at it.

The direction is supremely executed in a very tricky plot. One is reminded of "The Sixth Sense" and how awkward that film must have been to direct without giving away the key plot twist. The acting is also wonderful. Guy Pearce has one of the most subtle and moving roles in years... he must convey the emotion of a man bent on revenge, all the while not really knowing what is going on around him. He must learn all the clues and semi-truths, and decipher all the lies over and over again. Who does he trust from day to day and who is taking advantage of him and his condition? In one clever scene he learns that the Motel manager he is renting a room from is actually charging him for two rooms at the same time. All the supporting characters are also perfectly pitched in that they are ambiguously portrayed as possibly good or bad, or perhaps even the killer.

Without giving away anything, the ending is difficult for us to handle, because we are let down by the justice that the film needs us to want. I can't say any more than that, but I will say that there is no other ending that would be satisfactory... so I cannot really fault the film for its resolution.

This film is about 'Memory' and the need we humans have for it. Memory is what gives our lives real purpose and deep meaning. What would be the point of watching a film or reading a book if we forgot it moments later? Why is a family or a friend special to us? Because our memories allow us to keep them close to our hearts at all times. This film explores what happens to a man and his purpose in life when his memory fades and disappears forever.

Jacob Hall's Comment

n/a