Memento (2000)

Memento is one of those rare intellectual powerhouse movies that makes you think hard -- or at least try to take stock of what really happened. As such, I put it at the top of a very short list that includes The Matrix trilogy, Pi, Primer, and The Fountain. It's the only movie in such a list that I've felt driven to watch eight times to date. So far I *think* I've figured out the complete story arc -- though I seem to want to remain in denial if nihilism or disappointment possibly figures in here as with The Matrix trilogy. (Nothing dashes one's appreciation for a movie's complexity than a red herring, deus ex machina, or a director's "Just kidding!") In any event, Christopher Nolan's Memento stands out as a taut, driven crime thriller -- a whodunnit that mesmerizes by dint of its characters and tight and convoluted (nonlinear) structure. In essence, just watch the opening scene -- I don't want to give anything away. Then watch the rest of the movie -- I don't want to diminish your viewing experience from a fresh perspective. You'll quickly pick up that segments or episodes are not told in their normal temporal order. Segments overlap by a second or two so you can begin stitching together the linear timeline as you go -- but you won't be able to complete the integration until you've seen the "last" scene (which brings you back to the "opening" scene). Or you may need to see the movie eight or more times. (If you have seen it for less than six times and think you have it figured out, make your case to me and we'll see if it floats.) The whole cast is memorable and excellent. Guy Pearce is Leonard, a crime victim with brain trauma who, despite his inability to make or retain new memories of any kind, has devoted his life to finding and killing his wife's murderer. Joe Pantoliano is "Teddy," who claims to be his "friend" and may or may not be a cop (clean? dirty?). Carrie-Anne Moss is Natalie, who befriends Leonard for her own reasons. Key to the narrative is the question: Can Leonard trust anyone? Can he even trust himself? You'll have to decide on your own. Let me know what you think. 5 stars.