As most reviews mention, this film basically runs backwards - it's divided into 5-15 minute scenes, each scene ending where the previous scene started. We meet the hero of the film, Leonard (Guy Pearce, in another great acting job) just as he has murdered a man named Teddy. So we know what happened (Teddy is murdered), but we don't know why. It turns out Leonard has brain damage and cannot make new long-term memories. He can, however, condition himself (in a classical, Pavlovian sense), and so he writes notes to himself, takes pictures, and prints tatoos on his body to keep his life and quest straight. The quest? - finding and killing the man who murdered his wife. The first scene implies that Teddy must have been the murderer. But is he, or is Leonard being set up by someone and can't remember it? This is the crux of the question that is answered as we learn how Teddy came to be murdered.

The gimmick - playing scenes in reverse order (but the scenes themselves play forward) - is essential for the enjoyment of the film. First, it puts us squarely in the shoes of the protagonist, who always knows what he's doing, but doesn't really know why. There are many visual clues - scratches on his face (how did they get there?), a picture of a man he's beaten up, a cryptic message on the photo of Teddy - "Don't believe his lies." Second, the story is too straightforward to view in forward order - watching it in order would be no more interesting than a typical episode of Law and Order (much like viewing Pulp Fiction in chronological order).

At this point, I should mention that the film has an unfair reputation of being difficult to follow and of being violent. The most violent scene is, in fact, the opening credits, which are more violent by a long shot than the rest of the film. Similarly, the film is not difficult to follow. Sure, you may not be able to piece together every little detail (the same can be said for most good Film Noir) with just one viewing, but the answer to the question of the first scene - "why was Teddy killed and did he deserve to be" - is obviously resolved.

There are two main problems with this DVD edition. One is with the film: Leonard's memory problem seems to vary with the needs of the plot. At times he can hold things in his head for a long time, at other times he forgets in the middle of doing something (for example, at one point he is in the process of running and can't remember why, but at another point he manages to gather up a bunch of items, drive to a deserted lot, and burn them, which must have taken quite some time). This is something you only think about anfterwards, though, so it does not detract from the film. The second problem, for which I deducted a star (it's really a 4-star film) is the fact that this particular DVD edition is extremely bare-bones. There is a special edition of Memento, which would be the recommended format for repeated viewings.

All-in-all, though, this is a very enjoyable movie. It's the type of film that many people will want to own and watch repeatedly to understand all the little nuances of the plot. That's not to say that the film doesn't hold up to a single viewing - it's very interesting and intriguing, mostly because of the manner in which the film is constructed, but also due to the actors, who do a good job throughout.

A wonderful film that I almost turned off halfway. I'm glad I didn't, because I really didn't see the "ending" of the film coming (it's absolutely not the "end" of the story by any means). It was satisfyingly surprising and made me re-think the entire film. If you start getting antsy, just hang tight, things will reveal themselves by the movie's end.
As you probably know by now, the film jumps backwards in 15 minute increments to something that happened before the scene we were just shown. Things you thought were "truth" now become questionable and I must add that things that were questionable sometimes are more so as a result of these "flashbacks".

(Spoiler below)
From the mix of untrustworthy characters (including a fabulous acting feat by both Carrie Ann-Moss as the woman we're not sure if we want to trust, and Joe Pantoliano as the man we don't know if we can trust) - I was left wondering if the main character really knew what he was doing and if really it was *he* who was the one manipulating people. There are no ready answers to this question, however.
Mind blowingly awesome. A must see.

Ok, a friend of mine comes to me and lends me a copy of Memento saying that this is a movie you are going to love. 5 months later doing nothing at home I see the movie. Well..WOW! I mean it's not the best movie ever, but from the openings to the final credits I couldn't take my eyes from the screen. It really kept me think what was going to happen next. Relly enjoyable movie. I agree...a few mistakes, but very tolerable, and well it's just a picture so enjoy it. Highly recommended.

Ok, i'll admit the first time I watched the movie I didn't think it as great as I do now, but I recently purchased it and have watched it several times afterwards and must say...this is one of those rare thrillers that in this day and age is daring,edgy,compelling and actually makes you think(whooooa). Daring in the way it's done, as it is all backwards, perhaps confusing watching it the first time around but after more viewings the pieces of the puzzle start to click. It still has its flaws I know, like how does he know about his condition? But then again, if he didn't there wouldn't be a story would there? Maybe i'm being a little pompous by saying this, but this may well be one of the best and most daring thrillers I have seen and should be watched and enjoyed by casual movie watchers and film buffs alike. My rating: 9.5/10.

As I left the theater, my mind clouded with all of the images and story of the film, I realized that I had seen a great addition to the film noir canon. I pass the line of people waiting for the next showing.

The film ends and the lights come up. Wow! Wow spelled backwards is still Wow! I get up and leave the packed independent theater.

I have heard a lot of good things about "Memento", the new noir film from writer - director Christopher Nolan, and I am not disappointed. Movies like "Memento" are perhaps the hardest to write about. I have to be careful to not give away anything. Anything at all. If I do, I will rob a moviegoer of a potential surprise.

Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) is in the middle of a mystery. He is trying to find the man who raped and murdered his wife (Gorga Fox). Leonard has a problem that further complicates this mission. The trauma of his wife's death has robbed him of any short-term memory. He can remember who his wife is, how to drive a car, etc., but anything that occurs to create a new memory will be forgotten. Leonard must rely on notes, tattoos on his body and Polaroids of his friends, enemies, places he lives, etc. He can't talk to people for very long, because he will ultimately forget who they are. He can't talk to people on the phone, because he has to see their eyes, a skill he learned as a former insurance investigator. During his investigation, he meets Natalie (Carrie-Ann Moss) and Teddy (Joe Pantoliano), two people that may or may not be his allies.

If "Memento" were laid out in a typical chronological fashion, it would be an interesting film with some good performances. Christopher Nolan, the writer and director, decided to tell the film backwards. The first indication of this is the first shot of a Polaroid undeveloping. We see a picture of a man's body in the corner of a deserted room. The hand holding the photo shakes it a few times, it becomes lighter. Shakes it a few more times, and so on, until the picture pops out of the camera. We then see the climax of the film first, shocking us into the film's different reality. As the film rewinds, we see Leonard slowly unraveling the mystery that leads up to the climax and the detours that he takes along the way. Each segment of the story is just a few minutes in length, the length of Leonard's memory. This helps the audience really feel for Leonard's plight. We essentially have the same problem Leonard does. We don't know what happened before, so everything is new to us, just as it is to Leonard. This construction is really brilliant and it is a testament to the skill of Nolan that the film does not seem as gimmicky as I just described it. We quickly buy into the world he has created and it seems natural.

To provide a break from the rewinding story, Nolan inserts an ongoing telephone conversation between Leonard and an unseen caller between each of the short segments. In chronological fashion, Leonard recounts the story of his most important case as an insurance investigator, the case of Sammy Jankis (Stephen Tobolowsky), a man with a very similar case of short-term memory loss, and his wife, Mrs. Jankis (Harriet Sansom Harris). The story of Sammy Jankis provides a very human aspect to the story and allows us to see Leonard as a normal human being. The story also helps us to understand Leonard's plight.

Guy Pearce is simply phenomenal. In each brief segment, he has to start each by figuring our what is going on, trying to figure out if the people around him are helping him or should be avoided. It doesn't sound like the character would allow a lot of time for development or allow the audience time to identify with him, but Pearce makes it happen. Because he is used to the problem, he knows to act quickly. He makes the character work hard throughout to find the source of the mystery. The scenes when he is on the telephone, recounting the story of Sammy Jankis also help to humanize the character. Much of the flashbacks present a different Leonard, providing a nice counterpoint.

Carrie-Ann Moss is very good as the required Noir femme fatale. She has a simply amazing couple of scenes in the middle of the film during which we quickly see who she is, what her role is and how deeply Leonard's problem affects him. She is a very strong character. Joe Pantoliano plays Teddy, Leonard's ally. Leonard plays along with Teddy despite the Polaroid in his pocket labeling Teddy a liar. Teddy is a very complex character who likes to talk and he talks a lot. During his many conversations, he also takes advantage of Leonard's problem.

"Memento" is a very memorable film, sure to delight you with its twists and turns.

The house lights go down as the last minute stragglers try to find seats.

I read the newspaper, waiting for the film to start.

I buy my ticket very early. I know from the buzz that I need to buy my ticket early. A lot of people will want to see the film tonight.

I do not mind paying full price for my ticket. Everything I have heard leads me to believe that I will enjoy the film immensely.