Memento

Memento is a challenging and fascinating crime film about Leonard Shelby, who wants to avenge the killing of his beloved wife but first has to find her murderer. The only problem is that he suffers from a rare form of memory loss. Ever since the tragic incident in which his wife was raped and killed, Leonard's short-term memory has been out of action. When he meets a man he talked to a few minutes ago, he cannot remember it, let alone the man. He can lose the thread in the middle of a conversation. This affliction certainly does not make Leonard's detective work any easier. He has only his notes, his photographs and his tattoos to rely on. He writes down everything that is important, and if it is very important he has it tattooed on his body. So who can he actually trust? Can he trust anyone at all? With this cynical view of humanity, Memento looks like a genuine neo-noir.

The film reflects Leonard's handicap in its narrative form. The viewer is given the same arduous task as Leonard, having to piece together a mass of disconnected fragments so that they make sense. This experimental film, which incidentally is exceptionally well put together, does not have a traditional linear narrative structure. Instead it consists of fragmented pieces, and on top of that it is told backwards. So you have to keep your wits about you to play detective along with Leonard.

But it is worth it!