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MOVIE REVIEW
'Memento' Still Remains As One Of The Best Neo-Noirs Of All Time
By Sal LoCicero | September 10, 2020
Back in 2000, both film enthusiasts and the average moviegoer were presented with a low budget film from writer/director Christopher Nolan, titled 'Memento'. A small independent feature from a filmmaker who was not known as much to the public as he is now. Before this film, Nolan released a short, budget-less film called 'Following'; which he worked on with his friends.
When 'Memento' released in theaters, it was loved by many. It was completely new and different from what audiences had been used to seeing. People were blown away. Later on, the movie won many awards at film festivals and it gave Nolan more attention in the film industry.
But that was 20 years ago, and movies have been able to accomplish so much more in the last two decades with storytelling, visual effects, and more. The big question here is, does it still live up to all of its endless praise? The answer is, Absolutely!
20 year later, Memento is still as intriguing, thought-provoking, and mind blowing as it was in 2000. Christopher Nolan proved that he is a filmmaker to look out for in the future. His directing is unbelievable as is his writing for this movie. You can tell that this is not a casual movie by any ordinary filmmaker, it is made by someone who goes beyond the limits and tests themselves - which is why Nolan is even more brilliant to this day.
Guy Pearce is great as Leonard Shelby; a man who has short term memory that is trying to find his wife’s killer. The story itself is so original and interesting. The way the whole movie goes about by starting the story from the end and finishing at the beginning is fascinating.
The score by David Julyan is so freaking good. The music fits in perfectly. When you listen to the score, it sounds like it is depicting a broken man who’s lost something very personal and is trying to solve a mystery that he is determined to find the answer to, but is difficult for him to do so. David Julyan also composed the score for Nolan’s 3 min short titled 'Doodlebug' as well as his 1998 feature 'Following', and his 2002 feature 'Insomnia' - which all have the same emotional and mysterious tone as Memento.
The ending of Memento is really shocking (and you won’t see it coming). It completely changes your entire perspective on the movie. Once the credits begin to roll, you will be fixated on the story and how it all comes together.
Grade: A+
What are your thoughts?
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