Memento Movie

Christopher Nolan's Memento: A Masterpiece of Mystery and Thrill IMDB - 8.4/10 HMTR - 96/100 Running Time - 113 minutes

Christopher Nolan needs no introduction for fans of mystery or thriller movies. However, he may need an introduction to fans of anime, manga, or TV shows. What better way to introduce you to one of the best directors of our generation than through his best movie, in my opinion, Memento.

Without spoiling too much, let me give you a glimpse into why this movie is so captivating. Memento features two timelines: one that progresses normally, shown in black and white, and one that moves in reverse, shown in color. The movie's climax is actually the midpoint of the story. If that isn’t enough to pique your interest, let me delve a little deeper into why this narrative structure works so well.

One scene that made me realize this is my favorite movie of all time exemplifies the genius of the director and writer. Since one timeline is shown in reverse, we see the consequences first and then discover what caused them. Every scene becomes a mini-mystery. In one particular scene, the main character does something significant to another important character. This character then exploits the protagonist’s short-term memory loss (he can't remember anything for more than two minutes) to manipulate him. This is brilliant because we witness the manipulation first, allowing us to experience the same confusion and realization as the protagonist.

If you’re wondering how good this can be and why it’s my favorite movie, let me explain. The ending, which is actually the midpoint, reveals a twist that redefines everything you thought you knew about the story. It’s a moment of sheer disbelief and pleasant surprise. There are two types of mystery: one where you can solve the puzzle alongside the main character and one where everything is revealed at the end, leaving you shocked. Memento can be either, depending on your analytical skills.

The only potential drawback is that there is a lot of dialogue. The movie, running less than two hours, may seem heavy on conversation for some. Additionally, the fact that it was made in the early 2000s might be a bit off-putting, but true mystery fans will appreciate its brilliance.