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Memento - Views?
FusionFury
Posts: 14,121 Forum Member
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What are people's thoughts on Memento? I really enjoyed it, but not sure I'd watch it again.
I have a question though..
Was Leonard really Sammy? was never explored..
I have a question though..
Was Leonard really Sammy? was never explored..
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BUT ..
I've literally only ever watched it once and have had no compelling desire to go back to re-watch it since i saw it at the cinema, so keeping it saved does seem to be a bit weird
A lot is left for the viewer to decipher and make sense of, I think you are supposed to be left with ambiguity. I've watched it a handful of times. Watching it again when you know the ending is interesting, you pick up on everything looking for clues.
I watched it again, I still liked it, but I don't think it's a film which benefits from repeat viewings. It was significantly less rewarding on the second viewing.
It works with the conceit it uses, but I don't think the story on its own is that engaging when you have pieced the story together after seeing it once and you look at the story more closely. But as I say it works with the conceit it uses, which I suppose is what you'd watch it for, and if anyone hasn't seen it before I'd still recommend it.
It's not for everyone though, and if you do recommend it to anybody I wouldn't hype it up too much as their expectations may be too high for it.
I wonder if anyone has edited a version together so that it plays in a linear form with all the parts in the correct order? I'd bet that somebody has and there's probably such a version on a video sharing site like Youtube.
That's actually an extra on the DVD/Blu-ray.
I like how the structure of the film mirrors Leonard's own experience, disorienting the viewer, and think it is a marvel of construction. This only becomes more apparent on repeated viewings in my opinion. I have noticed that when talking about the film people will often suggest that it is explicitly clear what happened, who is who, and so on. I don't think this is true. Yes there are clear indications and on face value it seems possible to clarify the mysteries but there is also enough ambiguity and sense of unreliable narrator to leave doubt. For example (to answer your original question OP), most people I have talked to believe Leonard was Sammy but I still think this is left somewhat open to interpretation. It fits on face value but there are some aspects to that which leave it unclear in my opinion.
It has an atmosphere and pace that some might not like, or may not be in the mood for at the time. Also the characters are not generally likeable but these aspects suit me fine. I would agree it is a bad idea to hype it up if suggesting it to someone as that may give the wrong impression. That said, it is my still my favourite Nolan film, and I think his most fully realized and impressive film (albeit I like his films generally). I am a little surprised at the lukewarm, even negative, comments here (maybe something to do with watching after hearing hype?) but I think it is a masterpiece.
Agree with everything you said, plus it gives viewers a understanding how people view other people with mental disabilities.. as opposed to someone with cancer where most people are sympathetic.. Leonard got taken advantage of by the hotel car to book 2 rooms, Natalie, even Jimmy.. very sad it's still an issue today 16 years later.
Carrie-Anne Moss is such a great actress, and Natalie perfectly sums up many crazy girls I've met.
Yes that is true. The Natalie character is interesting and I think you definitely see her, and her actions, differently on a repeated viewing. Some of her antics seem cruel, clever in a manipulative way, or even just confused or sceptical which I think is hard to fully see on first watch. Have you read the short story that started it off? It is written by Christopher Nolan's brother which he then developed for the film.
This link has the movie script and the short story is included after that in the document.
https://stephenfollows.com/resource-docs/scripts/memento.pdf
"Definitely", not "Defiantly"
Oh yeah, that was in the works wasn't it. Utterly pointless exercise.
I loved it, I actually found it better on 2nd viewing, knowing the end reveal puts everything into a new light. I found it quite fascinating to put the pieces together.