Memento (2001)

"It is better some things were forgotten" – this is the slogan of Memento movie. Why? Just see this psychological thriller and find out the reason. Christopher Nolan, the writer and director of Memento, intended to create a movie that will show the distinction between the plot and the story. And, frankly speaking, he succeeded. At first the movie was premiered in autumn, 2000, at the Venice International Film Festival, where it was highly acclaimed by critics, who couldn't resist the desire to express their approval right at the festival. The uniqueness is what was especially praised by both viewers and critics, as well as a nonlinear narrative structure interlaced by such emotions as grief, self-deception and revenge.

The events in the movie unfold in two different narratives: some scenes are shown in black-and-white and they are in chronological order, while others are colorful and go in reverse order. Finally, at the end of the film these two sequences meet together, creating a single story.

This story is centered around the man Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), who wears exquisite clothes, drives an expensive car, but lives in cheap motels. He is hunting for the murderer of his wife (Jorja Fox). But he suffers from anterograde amnesia: he keeps in mind all the details of the events that took place before the murder, but he always forgets everything what happened to him 15 minutes ago. It will be difficult for him to comprehend his intentions, but he is ready to wage this painstaking battle with his disease.

Even ten years later after the release, Memento movie is watched by millions of spectators, with each of them making his/her own impressions after this film. The majority of viewers find this movie to their liking. Some of them claim that Memento is one of the most creative Christopher Nolan's films. The cast adds to the movie, as there could not be the better one. Apart from gifted actors this is talented Nolan, who did put much of meaning and message into many details in the movie, so that you should be very attentive and perceptive while watching.

The only problem was with the perception and understanding of the movie due to its separate narratives. Some viewers used to watch Memento several times to arrange the essence of it. Despite this, the film can easily hook the spectators right from the opening credits, force them to live through each thrill scene and keep everybody in suspense.