Memento

Memento was arguably one of the best movies of 2000. Directed by Christopher Nolan, starring Guy Pearce, the movie revolves around the story of a man, suffering from short-term memory loss, trying to avenge the death of his wife.

Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) is a former insurance investigator who suffers from short term memory loss, a condition he acquired during the murder of his wife. Since then he has been unable to remember anything for longer than a few minutes. His last memory was watching his wife die. He sets out to avenge his wife, using scribbled notes, Polaroid photos, and information tattooed onto his skin to maintain that thread of memory.

This is a complex story to understand as one story line movies forward in time(in black&white) while the other tells the story backwards (in colour). Both the colour and black&white scenes are alternately interspersed throughout the movie in a set pattern. This is done by director Christopher Nolan and his crew in order to confuse and bewilder the audience. He states it is to put the viewer in the shoes of Memento's protagonist Leonard and experience what he is going through. He crafts the film such that new bits and pieces of information are given out with each color and black&white scene until their time lines meet.

Throughout the movie Leonard talks about a man named Sammy Jankis, an ex client of his who was believed to have the same condition as Leonard. However by the end of the movie you will find out that Leonard and Sammy a lot more in common and also why Leonard has gotten himself into a vicious circle which he never may be able to get out of!!

A racy thriller, Memento is sure to keep you on the edge of your seats. The movie isn't the easiest one to understand and plays tricks with your brains but take it from me....This one's worth it.