Christopher Nolan By Daisy Dunnett

Review of Memento

12T1 Media Thriller Unit- Review Writing

Christopher Nolan was born in 1970; he studied English Literature at the University College of London while beginning to make his own films at the College Film Society. Christopher has directed other films such as The Dark Knight, Inception and The Prestige. Christopher has a vary of trademarks that he uses in all his films which include beginning all his movies and introduces his main characters with a close up of their hands performing an action, usually starts films with a flashback or a scene from the end of the movie and his main characters are usually men with a goal who face adversity.

Leonard is determined to avenge his wife's murder. However, unable to remember anything that happens day-to-day due to a condition he sustained, short term memory loss, he has to write himself note after note and apply tattoos that still don't mean anything after he falls asleep. He has learned to cope with his memory loss through dealing with a man named Sammy Jankis, a person he investigated professionally who also had short term memory issues. The film contains flashbacks of Leonard dealing with his condition and trying to find his wife’s killer who he believes is a man named John G, a name which is tattooed on his body. Leonard is assisted in this mission by a man named Teddy and a woman named Natalie.

The opening sequence is a man holding a photograph, these objects then get continued into the film as a commonly used prop. The non-diagetic sound in the opening sequence is a main factor which introduces the thriller genre because of its slow and low pitched sounding; the sound gives a sense of misery. Another feature that brings out the thriller genre is the use of blood in the photograph and the scene of a murder on the photograph.

Towards the end of the film is a scene where Leonard kills a man that he mistakes for John G, his wife’s killer. This scene contains violence and senses of torture. The emotions of Leonard are anger and scenes of confusion. Leonard only goes by the photographs he has taken and the tattoos on his body because he has no traces of any memories except the ones before his wife’s death. Leonard uses a gun to force Teddy, his companion, to explain what is going on. Flashbacks are then used to distinguish the truth about his wife and to show the links between himself and Sammy Jankis. 

The black and white scene in the film is used to show a major incident that Leonard makes. This colour shows that it is in the past and creates a dark, cautious feeling. He is talking on the phone without even realising that he has a tattoo hidden by bandages telling him never to answer the phone. When Leonard unties the bandage a look of terror and fear appears on his face as well as a high pitch non-diagetic sound which also creates fear and caution to the audience.

In my opinion, I found the film confusing because of the way it was ordered however I did enjoy the storyline and the twist at the end. I feel that the actors were casted well especially Leonard as he made the condition extremely realistic. I would recommend the film to people that like the work of Christopher Nolan.

Daisy Dunnett