- Film Review
- Reviewed By David McGillivray
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5 out of 5
This dazzling, highly original "anti-thriller" has a complex, jumbled narrative that moves backwards in time. Thus we begin with the climactic murder then regress through the events that led up to it. Matters are complicated by the fact that the person investigating the killing (Guy Pearce) suffers from a rare form of amnesia, leaving him with no short-term memory. The mystery requires a lot of concentration, but the stunning final scene is ample reward. Not just an indulgence, the ingenious structure makes the point that memory, although unreliable, is what we depend upon for our sense of reality. The film brought the name of writer/director Christopher Nolan to the world's attention, and he fulfilled the promise shown here by going on to rejuvenate the Batman franchise with Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.
Plot Summary
Thriller starring Guy Pearce and Carrie-Anne Moss. Leonard Shelby is determined to avenge the rape and murder of his wife, but is hampered by short-term memory loss following a blow to the head. Forced to record everything with copious notes, Polaroid photographs and even tattoos, Leonard's obsession leads him into a world where no one can be trusted.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Leonard Shelby
- Guy Pearce
- Natalie
- Carrie-Anne Moss
- Teddy
- Joe Pantoliano
- Burt
- Mark Boone Junior
- Sammy Jankis
- Stephen Tobolowsky
- Mrs Jankis
- Harriet Sansom Harris
- Dodd
- Callum Keith Rennie
- Waiter
- Russ Fega
- Leonard's wife
- Jorja Fox
Crew
- Director
- Christopher Nolan
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