Memento Movie Review 2000

Twisty and engaging noir thriller of a man searching for his wife's killer in Los Angeles. Only problem is, Leonard Shelby (Pearce) lost his short-term memory after the attack and forgets all current events every 15 minutes, or so. Problem solved as Shelby tattoos the most vital info all over his body and leaves less permanent "clues" for himself on Post-Its and Polaroids of the usual suspects. Shelby meets Natalie (Moss) and Teddy (Pantoliano) who may want to help him, but like his own memory, definitely can't be trusted. Ingeniously constructed story is told backwards, from Pearce's shooting of the killer to his puzzle-like construction of events and renders the audience as clueless as the impaired hero. Clever use of flashbacks and black-and-white segs help define events in time. More than normally required mental exercise is more than worth the effort. Director Nolan adapted the film from short story by brother Jonathan.

Distribution

Sony Pictures Home Video, Sony Pictures Plz., 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, Phone: (310)244-7306, Fax: (310)280-2485, URL: http://www.spe.sony.com, Remarks: Formerly Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 116 minutes.
Originally from United States.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Flashback, Crime Drama, Tattoos, L.A., Mistaken Identity, Shutterbugs, Revenge, Homicide, No-Exit Motel, Smuggler's Blues, Out of Order

Screenplay

Christopher Nolan

Cast

Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Mark Boone, Stephen Tobolowsky, Callum Keith Rennie, Harriet Harris, Jorja Fox

Cinematography

Wally Pfister

Director

Christopher Nolan

Music

David Julyan

Other

William Fiege, Dody Dorn, Cindy Evans, Patti Podesta

Producer

Jennifer Todd, Suzanne Todd, Summit Entertainment, Team Todd, Newmarket Films

Awards

Ind. Spirit 2001: Director (Nolan), Screenplay; Ind. Spirit 2002: Film, Support. Actress (Moss); L.A. Film Critics 2001: Screenplay; Broadcast Film Critics 2001: Screenplay.