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Memento (2000)

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2:07 | Trailer

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A man with short-term memory loss attempts to track down his wife's murderer.

Director:

Christopher Nolan

Writers:

Christopher Nolan (screenplay), Jonathan Nolan (short story "Memento Mori")
Popularity
639 ( 26)
Top Rated Movies #50 | Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 56 wins & 55 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Complete credited cast:
Guy Pearce ... Leonard
Carrie-Anne Moss ... Natalie
Joe Pantoliano ... Teddy
Mark Boone Junior ... Burt
Russ Fega ... Waiter
Jorja Fox ... Leonard's Wife
Stephen Tobolowsky ... Sammy Jankis
Harriet Sansom Harris ... Mrs. Jankis
Thomas Lennon ... Doctor
Callum Keith Rennie ... Dodd
Kimberly Campbell Kimberly Campbell ... Blonde
Marianne Muellerleile ... Tattooist
Larry Holden ... Jimmy
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Storyline

Memento chronicles two separate stories of Leonard, an ex-insurance investigator who can no longer build new memories, as he attempts to find the murderer of his wife, which is the last thing he remembers. One story line moves forward in time while the other tells the story backwards revealing more each time. Written by Scion013

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Some memories are best forgotten

Genres:

Mystery | Thriller

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, language and some drug content | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Official Sites:

Memento | Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 May 2001 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Memento See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$9,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$235,488, 18 March 2001, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$25,544,867

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$39,723,096
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Aaron Eckhart, Brad Pitt, Charlie Sheen, and Thomas Jane were considered for the role of Leonard, before Guy Pearce got the part. Christopher Nolan would later work with Eckhart on The Dark Knight (2008). See more »

Goofs

In the Jaguar Teddy gives Leonard the address of the Discount Inn. Teddy met Leonard at this motel earlier and therefore knows that he is already staying there. Leonard did not check out when they left and should therefore have both a picture and the key to room 21 in his possession. See more »

Quotes

[first lines]
Leonard Shelby: [voiceover] So where are you? You're in some motel room. You just - you just wake up and you're in - in a motel room. There's the key. It feels like maybe it's just the first time you've been there, but perhaps you've been there for a week, three months. It's - it's kind of hard to say. I don't - I don't know. It's just an anonymous room.
See more »

Alternate Versions

On the 2 Disc, Limited Edition R1 DVD, a "chronological" version can be found by going through the questionnaires on the second disc. When the question comes on screen concerning the lady with a flat tire, answer the 4-part question in reverse order (#3, then #4, #1, and #2) and the "chronological" version will play. The rewind and fast-forward features do not work while watching this version. If you put the pictures in the "correct" order, you get to read the short story the movie is based on. See more »


Soundtracks

Something in the Air
(1999)
Music by David Bowie and Reeves Gabrels
Lyrics by David Bowie
Performed by David Bowie
Courtesy of RZO Music, Inc./Virgin Records America, Inc.
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Frequently Asked Questions

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User Reviews

 
A trip into the mind
4 April 2009 | by ruffinelli_roSee all my reviews

If the director of this independent film tried to make us feel really confused, like the main character, he did it wonderfully. There are only a few movies like this one, the kind of movies that makes you pay attention to every minute of it. Obviously that doesn't work all the time, but this case is the exception. Really well directed with a wonderful photography and excellent cast. The main actors' performances are great. We really root for the guy as we hate the ones who try to take advantage of him.

Original films like this one always stand out. Perhaps it didn't caught much attention at first but now it is in an important position at the IMDb top 250 and that means that most the people recognize great movies when they see them.

As I said before, this movie is a little confusing because it runs backwards while the black and white scenes run in chronological order. But that wasn't a cheap trick to make the movie more "intelectual", it was its strength. A rare film that shouldn't be missed.


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