Movie review nº2 - Memento

At first - alpha version of my new design was launched. I still want to make it more EPIC by adding some cool gimmicks, but that takes time. 
And btw - I'm writing this review, while listening to Pendulum's 'Hold Your Colour'  - be sure to check it out, it's d'n'b, makes writing faster and more enjoyable.


So "Memento".
Made in 2000, as psychological thriller, drama. Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 42 wins & 32 nominations.


Starring: Guy Pierce (Hurt Locker), Carrie-Ann Moss (Matrix Trilogy), Joe Pantoliano (Matrix, Sopranos).
Director: Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight, Inception).

The movie starts in black-and-white with the protagonist, Leonard Shelby (Guy Pierce), in a motel room. Leonard has anterogarde amnesia, impairing his ability to store memories of recent events. As Leonard explains in the film, his amnesia was a result of an attack by two men in his home. Leonard killed the attacker who raped and strangled his wife, but a second attacker clubbed him in the head and escaped. The police did not believe there was a second attacker, but Leonard has come to believe the attacker is a man known as "John G". 


Because he can't remember anything longer than few minutes, he notes everything on pieces of paper, takes pictures or tattoos important things on his body. Finding a note in his clothes, he meets Natalie (Carrie-Anne Moss)in a bar. In the next scenes, prompted by the caller in the motel room, Leonard also meets Teddy (Joe Pantoliano) outside his motel. Teddy explains he is an undercover officer and has been helping Leonard with his investigation.


(I used some wikipedia, cause I'm super lazy)


Script, Screenplay: 10+/10 - If a so called "mindfuck" movie doesn't have a script and screenplay on the level of 8-10, it's not a good movie. "Memento" fortunately has brilliantly written screenplay. Even better than Fight Club one. It soo unpredictable!

Dialogues: 9/10 - Nothing irritating, very good, I can't say a bad word on these. This film didn't make as many famous quotes as the Fight Club that's why it's ONLY 9.


Actor's play: 8,5/10 - ambitious, fitting the characters. Maybe not as spectacular as you know what movie AGAIN.
Funny thing, Joe Pantoliano played a black character in Matrix, so you automatically think that's something is wrong with his "Memento" character - Teddy (if you watched Matrix). You don't trust him. Is this accurate? I won't tell you.


Music, Sound effects: 9/10 - David Julyan is responsible for the music. You can find a main theme here. What do you hear? It's simple music, not so epic as LOTR''s music or some Clint Mansell's. But it's amazing for one reason, it fits the movie so perfectly. You'll understand it when you'll watch it. There's not much music in Memento, and also not many spectacular sound effects. That's why I love it. I think the silence is the best sound ever. 

Cinematography: 7,5/10 - There are some really beautiful shots (intro). The cinematographer did really good job. Keep it simple, was his motto.


Montage, Special effects: 9/10 - Well, there are no special effects here. Maybe some blood spills from someone's head and that's it.  BUT. That's a plus. The montage and overall editing of the movie is super, well done. The movie is separated into a black white section and the color section. <- It has a meaning! Watch out.


Meaning, Feel, Depth: 9,5/10 - I don't really know what the message of this movie is. But it's all about the feel. You can feel how Lenny is disoriented by his illness. You almost try to reunite with him, help him. Disorientation., Confusion, Mystery are the words to describe this movie. It also, very ofter serves a purpose of describing a difference between a plot and a story.

Overall: 9.0 - as brilliant as my mom's chocolate - raspberry tart (which I can show you how to make it someday).




This is one, amazing piece of the movie. In the middle of it, you think you know what is it all about, who's the bad guy and what actually happened. BUT NO! You don't, believe me.  I also smiled when I saw Callum Keith Rennie as a bad boy. Last time (in Californication) he was cheery, badass rock boy. I love him. As much as I loved this movie. No it's time for some badly made film.