I've always been a huge Christopher Nolan fanboy, unrepentant in my love for his films. Memento is no exception. The brilliance of the film has been noted upon by critic after critic, just as it deserves. Nolan's meticulously crafted screenplay should have earned him an Oscar. Hell, he should have been nominated and won Best Director. The film Deserved a slew of Oscar nominations it never got. At least history has redeemed it.
The film stars the criminally underrated Guy Pearce as Leonard, and amnesiac looking for revenge. the film is shown backwards, showing the previous action that Leonard did that he forgot. In the mix is Joe Pantoliano as Teddy, a man who may or may not be helpful to Lenny, and Carrie-Anne Moss as Natalie, who is also seemingly helpful. I don't want to give too much away, so I'll leave the plot at that.
The acting in the film is superb. Guy Pearce gives one of the most difficult performances an actor can ever give. His character technically has no arc due to his amnesia, but Pearce makes us feel for Lenny. He gives it his all and it shows. Getting snubbed for an Oscar in favor of Sean Penn's full-retard in I Am Sam was criminal. Moss gives a wonerfully tricky performance, a far cry from her Trinity persona in The Matrix. Pantoliano at first seems to be a typical role for him, but by the time The Reveal happens, we realize how three-demensional his character is.
I hate it when people complain about not understanding the film. It just proves the degradation of human intellegence in society. The film, despite it's complicated premise, is easy to watch, and benefits from multiple viewings. I had no trouble understanding the film. Just be warned, I think I understood Mulholland Drive, so maybe I'm not the best judge of that.
This is easily one of the best films of the Aughts, as are all of Nolans films. Nolan is a true genius, and this film proves it. If you don't believe me just watch this film. You won't be sorry. ****/****
Nolan's First Masterpiece
I've always been a huge Christopher Nolan fanboy, unrepentant in my love for his films. Memento is no exception. The brilliance of the film has been noted upon by critic after critic, just as it deserves. Nolan's meticulously crafted screenplay should have earned him an Oscar. Hell, he should have been nominated and won Best Director. The film Deserved a slew of Oscar nominations it never got. At least history has redeemed it.
The film stars the criminally underrated Guy Pearce as Leonard, and amnesiac looking for revenge. the film is shown backwards, showing the previous action that Leonard did that he forgot. In the mix is Joe Pantoliano as Teddy, a man who may or may not be helpful to Lenny, and Carrie-Anne Moss as Natalie, who is also seemingly helpful. I don't want to give too much away, so I'll leave the plot at that.
The acting in the film is superb. Guy Pearce gives one of the most difficult performances an actor can ever give. His character technically has no arc due to his amnesia, but Pearce makes us feel for Lenny. He gives it his all and it shows. Getting snubbed for an Oscar in favor of Sean Penn's full-retard in I Am Sam was criminal. Moss gives a wonerfully tricky performance, a far cry from her Trinity persona in The Matrix. Pantoliano at first seems to be a typical role for him, but by the time The Reveal happens, we realize how three-demensional his character is.
I hate it when people complain about not understanding the film. It just proves the degradation of human intellegence in society. The film, despite it's complicated premise, is easy to watch, and benefits from multiple viewings. I had no trouble understanding the film. Just be warned, I think I understood Mulholland Drive, so maybe I'm not the best judge of that.
This is easily one of the best films of the Aughts, as are all of Nolans films. Nolan is a true genius, and this film proves it. If you don't believe me just watch this film. You won't be sorry. ****/****