"Memento" Clip

Memento

(Directed by Christopher Nolan, 2000)

(this clip does not show the next scene we analysed)

The starting clip of "Memento" (released in 2000 with Christopher Nolan as the director) follows many of the typical conventions of Psychological thrillers. The film opens with an ambiguous soundtrack of string instruments - often associated with tension and suspense. A close up of a photograph shows that the object is of narrative significance, and also the absence of the face of the character means his identity is kept from the audience. It also allows us to pick up subtle references to his amnesia - for example, the writing on his hand. We are shown that the continuity of the clip is skewed, as when shaking the photograph as one would to develop the photo, the photo becomes less clear and vanishes.

The reverse editing is made even clearer as the photo shoots back into the camera and the face of the murdered man is shown - there is a close up of the dead man's glasses - a reference to the imagery of the eye. They are broken as a result of the struggle and his death, showing that he now has no identity.

As with the conventions of a psychological thriller, the audience is unnerved as the narrator of the story seems untrustworthy. Also this references the common theme of identity, as in the next scene he is shown to be vulnerable and confused rather than dangerous and merciless. We are further introduced to the protagonist with a close up of the eyes - a reference to the common psychological imagery of an eye - being the 'window to the soul'.

The camera then shifts to a high angle, further showing the protagonist in a vulnerable position. The voiceover of the protagonist introduces us to another common feature of psychological thrillers - his achilles heel. It is revealed to us that the character has amnesia and can remember no new memories. This causes him to be portrayed as easily manipulated and confused. The murder scene is shown in colour but the next scene is shown in black and white, this could show a change in time - the black and white being the older memory, presumably showing the events up until the murder we have just witnessed.