MEMENTO (2000, U.S., 118 min.), directed by Christopher Nolan; screenplay by Christopher Nolan from the short story by Jonathan Nolan; cinematography by Wally Pfister; music by David Julyan; edited by Dody Dorn; with Guy Pearce (Leonard "Lenny" Shelby), Carrie-Anne Moss (Natalie), Joe Pantoliano (Teddy), Stephen Tobolowsky (Sammy Jankis), Harriet Sansom Harris (Mrs. Jankis), Jorja Fox (Leonard's Wife, Catherine Shelby), Mark Boone Junior (Burt the Motel Clerk), Callum Keith Rennie (Dodd), Larry Holden (Jimmy Grantz).

Please answer the following questions briefly. You don't need to write out longer answers.

1. Why this title? What are some of the connotations that it holds?

 

 

 

2. Writer-Director Nolan is self-consciously working within the genre of film noir here, though he tries to do different things with it. What are some of the noir aspects of Memento?

 

 

 

3. Describe the setting, the "world" of Memento.

 

 

 

4. The tone of this film is a very sad one throughout. What are some of the ways in which this feeling of sadness is created?

 

 

 

5. Discuss Leonard's character. What was he like before his "accident"? What is he like now? Is he completely different, or are there continuities? How does he cope with his condition? What is he really after?

 

 

 

6. Now discuss the principal secondary characters, Teddy and Natalie. What are they after? How do you feel about them? Do you trust them? Do your feelings about them change?

 

 

 

7. Why does the film begin when it does and end when it does?

 

8. The film follows two narrative lines--one told in color, the other in black and white. What's the difference, the relationship between the two?

 

 

 

9. What's the point of the Sammy Jankis story? In what ways does it parallel Leonard's own?

 

 

 

 

10. Of course, the most striking aspect of the film is its decision to tell its story by means of reverse chronology: the plot opens with the end of the story, and ends with the beginning of this particular chapter in Leonard's life. Unlike traditional narrative, we see the effects before we see the causes. Why do you think the director chose this narrative technique?

 

 

 

11. You'll notice that some scenes are longer than others Why? Do you see any patterns there?

 

 

 

12. Discuss the film's ending. What have you come to learn about Leonard and his situation? Are you still left with questions?

 

 

 

13. So what does the film have to say about memory?

 

 

 

14. Though it has been one of the most talked-about films of 2000-2001, Memento has found its share of critics. For example, in his review of Memento in The New York Times, A.O. Scott states the following: "Though Memento is impressive, it doesn't in the end leave much of an impression. Like a day in Leonard's life, it slips easily from memory, favoring sensation over insight and the frisson of artificial confusion over any contemplation of human reality." Do you agree with Scott? How do you feel about the film overall?

 

 

 

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