Memento (2000) Cert 18. Director - Christopher Nolan. Writer - Jonathan Nolan. Starring - Guy Pearce, Joe Pantoliano & Carrie Ann-Moss.

Premise - A man who loses the ability to form short-term memories during the rape and killing of his wife tries to avenge her death. I'm not going to beat about the bush here. Memento is without a doubt the best film I have seen in a long, long time. It has eased itself effortlesly in to my all time top ten films. Not since The Usual Suspects has a film been so original in it's treatment of telling a story. Memento uses the medium of film in a way that it has never (to my knowledge) been used before. Memento shows us the deed of revenge at the beginning of the film and then shows scenes in backward chronological order, backtracking in time. In essence the story is backwards. "What's the point in that?" You may ask. "Surely since we know who did it and that they are dead, the rest of the film becomes meaningless?". Oh, how wrong you would be. Because of it's structure and the fact that the main character has no short-term memory. We, like him have no idea what proceeded the events we are just watching. The film shows us events happening, goes back in time shows us why he does these things. Then will throw us a curve ball so that all that we thought was fact, is indeed fabrication. It sounds complicated, and it is. To fully appreciate this film you need to see it several times. The films structure doesn't detract from the other factors in any good film. The acting is of the first class. Guy Pearce is a revelation, finally burying the ghost of Neighbours. The support cast all performs admirably. Making you not sure whether they are to be trusted or not. The director as well does a sterling job in only his second film. Mixing colour and black and white to great effect. The lighting in many of the shots is perfect. The script was adapted from a short story written by the director's brother. It never seems tired, considering the repetition of dialogue from Pearce. Overall this film is not for everyone. If you have a short attention span, then I would suggest you give it a miss. It will only give you a headache. If, on the other hand you enjoy being challenged when you watch a movie. What are you still sitting there for? Get down to the rental place and get it in!!!

10/10 for Memento. Poster quote - You will never forget this film.