Memory (2006/II)

User Rating:

5.0/10   

Director:

Bennett Davlin

Writers:

Anthony Badalucco (written by)
Bennett Davlin (writer)

Genre:

Drama | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Sometimes memories can kill.

Plot:

A medical reseracher teams with a retired doctor to root around in the genetically stored memories of a serial killer. |

Plot Keywords:

Killer | Memory | Drug | Mask | Art

Cast

Billy Zane	...	Taylor Briggs
Tricia Helfer	...	Stephanie Jacobs
Dennis Hopper	...	Max Lichtenstein
Ann-Margret	...	Carol Hargrave
Terry Chen	...	Dr. Deepra Chang
Deirdre Blades	...	Alisha Briggs
Scott G. Anderson	...	Scott McHale
Matt Fentiman	...	William Terrell
Emily Hirst	...	Bonnie McHale
Emily Anne Graham	...	Allison Frost
Alex Ferris	...	Ricky McHale
Hailey Shand	...	Lisa Mullens
Alisha Davlin	...	Young Alisha Briggs
Joel McFarlane	...	Nick Chang
Alexis Llewellyn	...	Little Girl

Also Known As:

Memore (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and frightening images.

Runtime:

USA:98 min | Argentina:98 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

Argentina:13 | USA:R | Germany:16 | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

Dallas, Texas, USA

Company:

3210 Films

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The city shown at the beginning of the film is NOT Salvador, but Rio de Janeiro. The church on the left is the Outeiro da Gloria and in the background, the conic building is the Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro. The Barril 1800 bar / restaurant shown is also in Rio.

Movie Connections:

References "The Jerry Springer Show" (1991)

A Pleasant Surprise From Zane and Hopper

After accidentally touching an unknown drug, Taylor Briggs (Billy Zane) begins having flashbacks to the life of someone else -- a child abductor who has never been caught. Can he put the pieces together and solve the crime before the kidnapper abducts again?

I have said in other reviews that Billy Zane really makes a movie. My trust in that statement was fractured after seeing "The Mad" (though I don't blame Zane), but once more restored after this picture. While not the greatest film you'll see (it has a very made-for-TV or straight-to-video feel about it), the plot is interesting and the characters likable. Billy Zane, of course, helps tremendously by being the evil twin of Ben Affleck.

It also helps to have Dennis Hopper play Taylor's foster father Max Lichtenstein, although his only purpose in this film is to show up at random times with a few beers and cigars. Oh well, he's still better here than he was in "Land of the Dead". Tricia Helfer was also pretty decent, though not particularly noteworthy.

This was a plot-driven film, to be sure. Rated R for "language and frightening images", there's no nudity or gore here. The frightening images, as far as I can tell, are just a person in a mask. Nothing really disturbing. But the plot was excellent because it's not only a thriller but also a mystery (a race against time to solve a child abduction case, while the lead also must find how he's connected to the kidnapper). There's even sub-mysteries (such as how the lead's girlfriend knows about the kidnappings) that might leave you guessing.

I give this film credit because I thought I had it figured out before it was half over. My two guesses about certain plots were close, but ultimately both wrong. There's a few twists you won't see coming. The "big reveal" is disappointing only if you're being overly critical, as they sort of dump it all on you at once for no reason. But I thought it was okay.

I wouldn't have rented this film on my own, but having been asked to review it, I'm glad I did. If you're scanning the new releases and find this, you could do much worse. I saw it with two friends and we all seemed to enjoy it, so it caters to a wider range than just myself. And Billy Zane and Dennis Hopper are in it. Worth checking out if you want a story different from your usual serial killers and splatter films.