Memento: A Skewed Narrative

First and foremost, all narrative films will clearly define the time, place, and character motivations within the story. I felt that Memento adhered to the rule of clarity; viewers are aware by the end of the exposition that Leonard is staying in a hotel during modern times while trying to avenge his wife. Although his progress and clues aren't clear until the end of the film, I believe viewers are provided with enough information in the first 15 minutes to follow the story. In fact, the first scene shows Leonard shaking a Polaroid picture out of focus rather than into focus, which hints that events in the story will take place in reverse. Unity, the second rule for narrative films, involves the use of cause and effect to help viewers understand the actions of the characters. Although done so in a skewed manner, I believe this film was unified. Rather than understanding that certain events shaped the motivations of characters, viewers were baffled by the characters' actions before they understood why they behaved the way they did. Thus, the film had qualities of effect/cause instead of the traditional cause/effect. For example, we learn that Leonard kills John G., but we don't understand why until we see his tatoo that reads, "John G. raped and murdered my wife." Although viewers are confused for a while about Leonard's motivations, I feel they eventually recieve the unity necessary to piece together the bits of information given.

The third rule for narrative films is character identification. This is achieved when viewers feel as if they are in the shoes of a character in the film or can relate to their situation. I think it would be easy for anybody to identify with Leonard. They scene that first shows us his tattoos conveys the abundant love he flet for his wife and the struggle he must go through because she has been taken away. Everybody loves someone or something, and imagining that love being lost forever leaves one with the same anger Leonard feels. Narrative films also give viewers a sense of closure. Although the conclusion to Leonard's story of revenge occurs at the beginning of the film, viewers still need to see the earlier events in the story to completely understand Leonard's situation and motivations. For example, knowing how Leonard went about not trusting Teddy gives readers closure by knowing that he deserved to die in the beginning of the movie. Finally, unobtrusive craftmanship, or failure to allow viewers to believe the film is not reality, is the final guideline all narrative films must aloow. Memento definitely adheres to this rule; not once are viewers conned into believing this film was all staged. Superb acting and flawless editing draw us away from the craftmanship of the film and into the backwards, mirrored reflection that has become Leonard's life.

Also, I just wanted to say that this is the type of movie I need to watch 10 more times before I get the blank look off my face! This blog was really hard for me to write interpretively because the movie threw me back and forth so many times that I forgot so many important scenes. I really enjoyed all the confusion, though. This movie will definintely make a repeat appearance when I'm bored in my dorm room this fall!

Paige Brinkmann