Memento

Memento utilizes editing to explore how memory defines a person's truth, yet it is largely unreliable. Leonard suffers from a condition known as anterograde amnesia, which inhibits his ability to create new memories post his accident. The films begins with a reverse motion parallel edited shot of Leonard un-developing a polaroid, re-loading an already shot gun, and returning the glasses of the corrupt cop, Teddy, who he just killed. In addition, this scene is a flash forward as the jump cut to the black and white story line of the film transitions back to prior events. The unique editing of the film allows plot points to be portrayed as Leonard learns them adding emphasis to the meaning of memory on a person's identity. Utilizing flash forward showcases that allow the film is not edited chronologically ideas are portrayed in relation to their thematic importance allowing for multiple interpretations (just how memories of the same event can be interpreted multiple ways.) As Andy Klein, film critic, states, ""Memento” is a movie largely about memory — the ways in which it defines identity, how it’s necessary to determine moral behavior and yet how terribly unreliable it is, despite its crucial role in our experience of the world." Within the opening scene reverse motion and tilt angels create a feeling of disorientation and confusion just as Leonard feels constantly. The establishing shot of the polaroid allows the audience to receive a first impression of the un-reliable narrator. The audience begins to realize as the film progresses that allow Leonard has tattoos, notes, and long term memories which he defines as his truth, what really makes them true? Although Leonard's condition is an extradordinary circumstance, memory can never be truly reliable from anyone because it is defined as an element of 

perception, and perception is never consistent. Klein furthers the notion of Leonard being an unreliable narrator confessing that although his memories are intact, "there’s no reason to believe that "intact" is the same thing as "accurate."" Photographs trigger memories. The reverse motion fluttering of the polaroid being un-developed demonstrates the unreliability of Leonard's own mind. Although his pictures serve as a way of remembering, they can only trigger so much. Reverse motion suggests how Leonard's memories work. Even if he tries to go back through a memory again, reverse his way through it, he still won't have the capability to remember. The memory will fade just as easily as the polaroid. Memento's editing adds meaning to the truth and unreliability behind memories. 




In addition, Memento utilizes editing to emphasize the relationship between memory and its importance in allowing redemption from grieving. Within this scene, the audience finally pieces together the truth (or interpretation of the many ways the film can be perceived.) Through the dialogue close up shots to jump cut flashbacks of the distorted memories of Leonard's past, the torture which Leonard endures as his memories blend with Teddy's is created. He is a man whose sole purpose in life is to find John G., the man who murdered and raped his wife, and to a certain degree Teddy is right. Leonard can spend the rest of his life searching for John G., but he will never be able to remember the revenge necessary for him to move on. As Klein states, "Grief is an emotion largely based on memory, of course. It is one of “Memento’s” brilliant tangential themes that relief from grief is dependent on memory as well — and that is one of the chief hells our unfathomable hero is subjected to." The audience pities Leonard in his constant search of retaining a memory of revenge which is impossible for him to recall. Leonard's decision to make Teddy his next culprit emphasizes recognition of his fate, no matter how brief. Although he will never be able to feel the relief of gaining revenge after the loss of his wife, it gives him something to live for, so he continues to search. The brilliance of the editing lies in intertwining a plot line of black and white sequences prior to colored ones, yet they are transitioned throughout the film through jump cuts. Prior to the scene above, Leonard's polaroid of Jimmy intertwines the two plot lines. It is appropriate that the two plot lines would be intertwined in the developing of a photograph considering the significance of the first scene with the parallel editing of a similar shot. Killing "John G." (Jimmy) should bring Leonard relief, but only so much can be remembered from a photograph when the memory behind it slips away. Piecing together the story as Leonard does allows the audience to move along with his story in a more realistic context to his condition. Memento's editing allows the audience to realize the importance of memory in relieving grief. 

Works Cited

"Everything You Wanted to Know about “Memento”." Saloncom RSS. Web. 9 Nov. 2014. <http://www.salon.com/2001/06/28/memento_analysis/>.

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