Story-Telling: Memeto

During a recent lecture we sat and watch a film called Memento (2000). The film was written and directed by Christopher Nolan and stars Guy Pearce as a man who, because he cannot create short term memories, must come up with a unique way to remember information so he can find the person who murdered his wife.

Guy Pearce as Leonard in Memento (2000)

What's interesting about this film is that it takes place backwards. At the start on the film we see the ending and then we see the build up to that, but in reverse. This does not mean the clips are shown in reverse, it means they have been reordered so they take place in reverse. I think this works very effectively and turns this relatively normal and basic story into a complicated and interesting one. If the film were to be shown in the correct order it would not be as good because the twist would be at the start, a twist that would spoil the rest of the story. Although who's to say which way is the right way, it's a matter of opinion and it depends on which way the director/writer believes is the right way. If the events are shown in reverse then that's probably the best order to watch them in. After looking at the script for this film it is clear that Christopher thought very carefully about how this film would look and how the scenes would fit together if they were put in a reverse order. It takes a lot of skill to be able to write a film like Memento (2000), and Christopher as written it very well. 

Christopher Nolan and Guy Pearce on the set of Memento (2000)

I will take some inspiration from this film in terms of some of the meetings that take place. Every time Leonard meets someone he cannot remember if he has met them before and so must check his photos and tattoos. Some of my ideas have elements where two characters meet for the first time and so I will take inspiration from the way Leonard reacts to meeting people.

One of the polaroids used my Leonard to help him remember people

This film is a brilliant piece of work and a great example of a good and well though out story. I specifically like the meeting elements because every time Leonard meets someone, it is like he is meeting them for the first time, something I would like to work into my own ideas. I will continue with my ideas process and draw some inspiration from elements of the story that is Memento (2000).