Memento (2000)

Guy Pearce (L.A. Confidential) and Joe Pantoliano (The Matrix) shine in this absolute stunner of a movie. Memento combines a bold, mind-bending script with compelling action and virtuoso performances. Pearce plays Leonard Shelby, hunting down the man who raped and murdered his wife. The problem is that "the incident" that robbed Leonard of his wife also stole his ability to make new memories. Unable to retain a location, a face, or a new clue on his own, Leonard continues his search with the help of notes, Polaroids, and even homemade tattoos for vital information.

Because of his condition, Leonard essentially lives his life in short, present-tense segments, with no clear idea of what's just happened to him. That's where Memento gets really interesting; the story begins at the end, and the movie jumps backward in 10-minute segments. The suspense of the movie lies not in discovering what happens, but in finding out why it happened. Amazingly, the movie achieves edge-of-your-seat excitement even as it moves backward in time, and it keeps the mind hopping as cause and effect are pieced together.

Pearce captures Leonard perfectly, conveying both the tragic romance of his quest and his wry humor in dealing with his condition. He is bolstered by several excellent supporting players, and the movie is all but stolen from him by Pantoliano, who delivers an amazing performance as Teddy, the guy who may or may not be on his side. Memento has an intriguing structure and even meditations on the nature of perception and meaning of life if you go looking for them, but it also functions just as well as a completely absorbing thriller. It's rare to find a movie this exciting with so much intelligence behind it. --Ali Davis Amazon.com essential video

Momento

Momento is a mindbending thriller which follows its protagonist, played by Guy Pierce, from the end of his journey back through time to its beginning. In the film, Guy Pierce has a rare condition in which he has no short-term memory. This handicap makes everything harder, as he has to take polariod pictures of people he meets and writes notes upon them to remember something about that person. He is on a mission though, looking for the elusive John G. that raped and murdured his wife, and gave him his condition. When he finds John G. he is going to make him suffer just as he has suffered. Without ever lowering its sharp intensity, Momento comes to a close with not only a satisfying, but an all to poignant end. July 12, 2008

A Thriller With Substance

With all the movies out there that pretty much tell you what to think and feel, this movie is a great escape. It's a great murder thriller, a wonderfully acted masterpiece, and a storyline worth your attention.

Christopher Nolan does a great editing job (subliminal messages, anyone?). The main point to the story revolves around Leoard Shelby (Pierce) , a man with "a condition" who is trying to solve the murder of his wife. And with that bit of information, you'd think you'd seen it all. But, the actors, the plot, the storyline, and how it's all plays out is far more engaging.

You get to put the pieces together with Lenny, and try to figure out the unsavory characters, the trustworhy friends, and no one is what they seem. The real highlight is not in the ending, but in the way the story is told to the audience. (Just to hint: there are two storylines that climax, and the way you get there is awesome!) It's this type of story-telling that sets the movie apart from many other murder mysteries.

Not that you won't get the movie in one sitting, but half of the fun is not understanding the movie chronologically, but trying to uncover all the plot devices and subliminal schemes Nolan purposefully inserts throughout the movie.

Of course, the cast is excellent. And what I like most is that there aren't too many auxillary characters. Almost everyone you're introduced to is important and helps the story along.

Again, I highly recommend this movie to anyone who loves a good murder mystery, but isn't afraid to have the movie take you for a whirl before figuring it all out! June 24, 2008

Where is the clever ending?

Where is the clever ending? The entire movies builds to something you think you would never expect. I never expected such a bad ending. The ending is anticlimactic at best. June 14, 2008

Niiice

Great case, Very happy with this purchase, no delays with its arrival, all that I wanted May 19, 2008

Good Movie, Cool DVD

This is a really good movie. Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Joe Pantaliano are very good in this. Christopher Nolan directed his brother's story very well. This is a movie in which you find yourself investigating something different each time. After the movie's over, you may find yourself debating which characters were actually honest and sincere and who were not.

The dvd package is very cool. This is the kind of product you can appreciate because it's unique and the layout of the case inside and out reflects the characteristics of the movie. The inside flips upward. There's post-it notes on the inside and pages from a psychiatric file (Leonard Shelby's).

The menu screens reflect a psychiatric test (memorization, personality surveys). You may find it annoying. I kind of do, but at least they put some thought and effort into it.

Good movie, Cool DVD. 5/5 for the product overall. April 26, 2008

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