"Memento"

"Memento" is a mind-bending suspense film that leaves its viewers asking questions. This was the first time I have watched the movie, let alone even heard of it. When the movie finally ended, I remember being so confused, not at the movie, because of the movie. Director Nolan actually got inside my head and made me think I was right there with Leonard. I actually felt like I had short-term memory loss just like the main character. This is something I've never experienced before and I think this is the effect that Nolan wanted to have on its viewers once the movie had ended.

An obvious visual design that was used throughout the film was the use of black and white. The director used this to separate two lines of the story that were being explained. The scenes showed in black and white were used to explain to the viewer that these events were happening in chronological order. The colored scenes explained to us that these events were happening in reverse chronological order. These events keep happening in this sequence until the end of the movie, where they finally meet in the middle and everything makes sense. I think that the black and white color scheme was also used to direct our attention to what was going on while limiting our distractions. Just like in photography, when things are in black and white, we tend to focus on the object and whats happening rather than other things like color distractiong us. Black and white was used to let the viewer know to pay close attention because something important is going to happen.

The starting point of this film is unique. This is because it is actually the ending point for the series of events that are about to occur. This means that the ending point of the script is actually the starting point in reference to chronological order.

The setting is very important in this film. It is used as a determiner of character through the environment. Environment has a huge effect on the development of a character in a film and especially in "Memento." Leonard's surroundings shape who he is within the movie. He is easily fooled and lied to because of his memory loss and these play a huge impact on the development of his character.

Setting as a reflection of character is also present in this film. The place where Leonard stays is a run-down motel. There is nothing special about this room, except the fact that he has taped up a poster board filled with reminders of what his life is. The things that take place in this room sometimes give the viewer great confusion, this is why I think the color blue is present everywhere in the place he is staying, to create setting as an emotional atmosphere. The door, walls, and comforters are all blue. I think Nolan did this to help calm the viewer down because it is such a confusing movie at times.

Period pieces are used in the film to let the viewer know if this scene is in the past. For instance, the bruises on Natalie's face. When a scene came up and the bruises weren't on her face, then we know that this scene is from the past. These pieces are used continuously throughout the movie to help the viewer better understand what is going on.

Leonard is placed in a fantasy world in this film. He is constantly on a search for his wife's murderer. However, once he has killed the murderer, he sets up another person to pretend is his wife's murderer so he can constantly be involved in his little game. He can not think clearly so he actually thinks that his wife's murderer is still out there, even after he has killed him already.

The use of Sammy Jenkins in the film was a way for Leonard to remember what happened in the past without him realizing that he was actually Sammy Jenkins. His wife was the diabetic and he was the one who overdosed his wife on insulin and put her into a coma. This is just a different way for him to remember what happened without actually having to take the blame for his wife's death.

The use of movement was constant throughout the film. There is not one time that I can remember that the characters in this movie stood still. I think that Nolan did this to constantly keep our eyes moving and our brains thinking. Something that I noticed about the camera shots in "Memento" is that like Leonard and the rest of the characters, the camera is always in motion and it very rarely stands still. This also contributes to the sense of confusion throughout the film. This never really gives the viewer a chance to completely grasp onto what just happened. I think that this helps the audience become more entangled in the film and helps you feel that you are right there with Leonard. This is how Nolan leaves you questioning your own reality when the movie is over. He completely wraps you up in what is going on that you actually believe that by the end of the film, you're the one with the memory loss. something I truly enjoyed while watching this movie.