Memento explained (2000)

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What is Memento about?

Memento delves into the facets of human memory, identity, and the pursuit of truth. Leonard suffers from anterograde amnesia, preventing him from creating new memories. The non-linear narrative structure mirrors Leonard’s short-term memory loss, as the audience must piece together the disjointed chronology and experience the same disorientation and confusion that plagues Leonard.

At its core, the neo-noir explores self-deception and the malleability of memory. Leonard manipulates his condition to justify his actions, molding his sense of purpose and identity through self-constructed lies. The tattoos adorning his body act as a physical representation of his convictions, yet their permanence contrasts with the fleeting nature of his short-term memories, emphasizing the potential for distortion in what he believes to be true.

The unreliability of memory is further demonstrated through Leonard’s faulty recollections and his interactions with other characters, who take advantage of his condition to further their own agendas. Memento challenges viewers to question the ethics of vengeance and the blurred line between justice and obsession, as Leonard’s quest for retribution consumes him.

Audience participation plays a crucial role in the film, as viewers are actively engaged in deciphering Leonard’s story, constantly reassessing their understanding of events as new information is revealed. This immersive experience forces the audience to confront the concept of truth and its subjective nature, as we are compelled to question the veracity of Leonard’s perspective and the information presented.

Movie Guide table of contents

Cast

• Guy Pearce – Leonard Shelby
• Carrie-Anne Moss – Natalie
• Joe Pantoliano – John Edward “Teddy” Gammell
• Mark Boone Junior – Burt
• Russ Fega – Waiter
• Jorja Fox – Catherine Shelby
• Stephen Tobolowsky – Samuel R. “Sammy” Jankis
• Harriet Sansom Harris – Mrs. Jankis
• Thomas Lennon – Doctor
• Callum Keith Rennie – Dodd
• Christopher Nolan – Writer and director

The ending of Memento explained

A recap of Memento‘s ending

The ending of Memento is a culmination of the film’s reverse plot structure, converging at the beginning of the story. As the color and black-and-white sequences converge at the end, the truth about Leonard’s past and his motives are revealed, leaving the audience to question the nature of reality and memory.

In the black-and-white sequences, Leonard, a former insurance investigator, recounted the story of Sammy Jankis, a man who suffered from the same memory condition as Leonard. Sammy had accidentally killed his wife by giving her an overdose of insulin shots. However, Teddy reveals the story of Sammy Jankis is actually a projection of Leonard’s own experiences. He explains that Leonard’s wife actually survived the attack and that Leonard himself is responsible for her death. Leonard’s inability to create new memories is due to the traumatic event

Teddy reveals that the man Leonard believed to be his wife’s attacker, John G., has been dead for some time, and Leonard had already avenged his wife’s attack. However, Leonard’s amnesia has caused him to forget all this, prompting Teddy to manipulate Leonard into taking out criminals under the guise of hunting down his wife’s attacker. Teddy has been exploiting Leonard’s condition for his own benefit, turning him into a vigilante hitman.

Unable to accept this reality, Leonard decides to manipulate his own memory. He writes down a note to get a tattoo of Teddy’s license plate number and plants it as a clue in his car, setting up Teddy as the next John G. By doing so, Leonard ensures that he will continue his quest for revenge, giving himself a sense of purpose and identity. Leonard’s decision to manipulate his memory and continue his pursuit of vengeance sets the stage for the beginning of the film.

The movie ends with this quote from Leonard’s internal monologue as he pulls up to a tattoo parlor:

I have to believe in a world outside my own mind. I have to believe that my actions still have meaning, even if I can’t remember them. I have to believe that when my eyes are closed, the world’s still there. Do I believe the world’s still there? Is it still out there? Yeah. We all need mirrors to remind ourselves who we are. I’m no different.

The meaning of Memento‘s ending

At the heart of Memento‘s ending is a profound examination of the nature of memory and its susceptibility to manipulation. Leonard’s amnesia serves as an extreme embodiment of how malleable and unreliable our memories can be. Throughout the film, we see him heavily rely on physical mementos to construct his reality, navigate his daily life, and stay committed to his quest for revenge.

In the end, however, Leonard deliberately manipulates his own memory in order to take out Teddy. This act of self-deception illustrates how Leonard, though afflicted with a memory disorder, still has control over his reality—he chooses which parts of his past to remember and which to forget. It is a chilling reminder of how memory, far from being an objective recorder of past events, is a subjective, dynamic process that can be influenced by our desires, fears, and biases.

This insight allows the viewer to reconsider the role of memory not just in Leonard’s world, but also in their own lives, prompting them to question the reliability of their recollections and the narratives they construct around them. Several movies come to mind when discussing the malleability of memory, such as Aftersun and Rashomon. The former shows how certain memories mean more to us because they heighten our emotions—thus, we elevate those memories and shape an idealized (or perhaps a very unappealing) picture of our past; while the latter toys with the idea of subjectivity when it comes to memory, and how we often shape stories to benefit our egos or protect our identities.

Memento adds an interesting thread to the idea of subjective memory. Leonard is unable to remember what is real and what is not—all he relies upon are his mementos. This tosses a wrench into the whole idea of memory. It shows the importance of objects and the people around us in shaping our perception of the past, of ourselves. We are emotionally charged beings who can be swayed one way or the other by a simple picture. Leonard’s entire identity is about to be reshaped by a lie he told himself. Ultimately, the movie becomes a symbolic representation of how easily we can distort our own memories.

Thus, Memento’s ending compels us to reflect on the elusive nature of truth and the lengths one might go to uncover or conceal it. Leonard’s pursuit of truth, symbolized by his relentless hunt for his wife’s killer, is driven by his desire for closure and a sense of justice. Yet, when confronted with the unsettling reality about his wife, Leonard rejects this truth. He chooses to continue living in a constructed reality where he is the aggrieved husband seeking justice, rather than the guilt-ridden spouse who caused his wife’s demise.

This decision to reject an inconvenient truth in favor of a comforting illusion underscores the subjective and often self-serving nature of truth. It raises compelling questions about the lengths we might go to protect our narratives and the stories we tell ourselves to make sense of our lives. It also invites the viewer to ponder the role of truth in their own lives and the potential consequences of ignoring or denying uncomfortable realities.

The ending of Memento forces us to grapple with the idea that our sense of self is far from fixed or immutable. Instead, it is a complex construct, shaped by our memories, beliefs, and narratives. Leonard’s decision to consciously shape his reality and identity based on his desires rather than objective truths reveals the fluidity and complexity of personal identity. It provokes the viewer to reflect on their own sense of self and the factors that influence their self-perception.

The themes and meaning of Memento

The Fragility of Memory

One of the most prominent themes in Memento is the fragility and unreliability of memory, and Leonard’s anterograde amnesia symbolizes its inherent imperfections. Think of how Leonard misremembers a story about a man named Sammy Jankis, projecting his own experiences onto Sammy’s life. This highlights the ease with which memories can be manipulated, distorted, or forgotten, leading us to question the accuracy of our own recollections.

Throughout the film, Leonard relies on various memory aids, such as Polaroid photographs and tattoos, to help him navigate. These physical reminders serve as anchors to his reality, yet they can also be manipulated, as people repeatedly exploit his condition. This manipulation emphasizes that even with memory aids, Leonard’s understanding of reality remains fragile and susceptible to outside influences.

The non-linear narrative structure adds to the theme, as scenes are presented in reverse chronological order, interspersed with black-and-white sequences. This forces the audience to actively engage with the story and experience the same sense of disorientation that Leonard faces. For example, the opening shot of the film depicts a Polaroid photo of a dead man un-developing, symbolizing the transient and unstable nature of memory. This visual metaphor sets the tone for the film, as it immediately establishes the theme of memory’s fragility.

By exposing the fragility of memory, Memento challenges the audience to reflect on how our identities are constructed: it isn’t necessarily shaped by who or what, but instead how we observe and react to who or what and how we remember it all. The film forces the viewer to question the limitations of their own memories, as Leonard’s memory lapses serve as a reminder that our recollections can be fallible and unreliable. We can easily be pulled down a certain path and remember things without proper context, or with a cynical frame of mind. In effect, our identities, our personal narratives are disrupted, erased, and reshaped through that lens.

Through Leonard’s journey, the film explores the implications of a life defined by these fragmented memories, illustrating how the absence of a continuous personal narrative can lead to disorientation, confusion, and a fragmented sense of self.

The Illusion of Truth

Another significant theme in Memento is the illusion of truth and the subjective nature of reality. Throughout the film, Leonard is constantly in search of the truth about his wife’s murder and the identity of her attacker. However, his amnesia makes it nearly impossible for him to distinguish between reality and fiction, leaving him vulnerable to manipulation.

Memento deliberately leaves certain aspects of the story open to interpretation, and the question of whether Leonard’s wife survived the attack is one of them. Teddy claims that Leonard has already killed the assailant and that Leonard was responsible for his wife’s death. However, it’s important to remember that Teddy is not a completely reliable source of information, as he manipulated Leonard for his own benefit throughout the movie. This revelation casts doubt on the accuracy of Teddy’s claims and leaves the audience questioning whether Leonard’s wife survived the attack or not.

Ultimately, the film leaves it up to the viewer to decide which version of the story to believe. This ambiguity serves to further emphasize the film’s themes of memory, truth, and the subjective nature of reality.

In Leonard’s case, he chooses to ignore this “truth” from Teddy and manipulate his own reality by setting up Teddy as his next target. This scene emphasizes the idea that truth is not absolute but is instead constructed by individuals based on their personal experiences, beliefs, and interpretations. Leonard’s decision to reject the truth in favor of his own constructed reality highlights the subjective nature of truth and the lengths to which individuals may go to protect their self-image.

The Ethics of Vengeance

Memento also explores the ethics of vengeance and the blurred line between justice and obsession. Leonard’s quest for retribution against the man who allegedly attacked his wife and caused his memory condition serves as the driving force behind the narrative. As Leonard navigates the treacherous path of vengeance, the film examines the moral and ethical implications of his actions, inviting the audience to question whether his pursuit of justice is truly justified or merely a manifestation of his obsession.

Think about how Natalie abuses Leonard’s condition for her own benefit. This dynamic shows that Leonard’s pursuit of vengeance has become morally complex, as Leonard acts based on incomplete and potentially false information. The consequences of his actions affect not only himself but also the lives of others who may not be directly involved in his quest for revenge.

Tangential to this thread: think about how Leonard chooses Teddy to be his next target. The audience is obliged to confront the idea that the pursuit of vengeance can lead to a destructive cycle of violence and obsession, as Leonard’s actions result in the death of an innocent man. The ending of the movie becomes the beginning—this quest for “vengeance” may never end, even if it stretches to people completely uninvolved with his trauma. This scene raises questions about the morality of vigilante justice and the potential dangers of taking the law into one’s own hands.

Thus, the film explores the concept of personal responsibility in the context of vengeance. As Leonard seeks retribution, he becomes increasingly detached from the consequences of his actions. This detachment raises questions about the limits of personal accountability, particularly when one’s actions are driven by a deep-seated desire for revenge. Through Leonard’s journey, the film illustrates the potential pitfalls of unbridled vengeance, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and restraint in the pursuit of justice.

Why is the movie called Memento?

The movie’s title, Memento, carries a deeper meaning that resonates with the film’s themes and narrative structure. At its core, the word “memento” refers to an object that serves as a reminder of a person, place, or event, typically with sentimental value. However, within the context of the film, the concept of a memento takes on a more profound and thought-provoking significance.

Leonard suffers from anterograde amnesia, which renders him incapable of forming new memories. Consequently, he relies heavily on physical mementos—Polaroid photographs, notes, tattoos—to retain vital information and guide him through his daily life. These mementos are both practical and symbolic, representing Leonard’s desperate attempt to hold on to a sense of continuity and identity in the face of his debilitating condition.

The film’s narrative structure reinforces the importance of mementos by presenting the story in a non-linear fashion. The constant shift between a colored scene and a black-and-white scene mirrors Leonard’s fragmented memory, as the audience is thrust into a disorienting and disjointed narrative that demands active engagement to piece everything together. The reverse chronology creates a sense of uncertainty and doubt, as the audience, much like Leonard, must rely on the mementos presented throughout the film to construct a coherent understanding of the events.

Beyond the literal representation of mementos in the film, the title also serves as a metaphor for the subjective nature of memory and the human tendency to selectively recall certain experiences while repressing others. As the story unfolds, it becomes increasingly apparent that Leonard’s memories and mementos are not entirely reliable. They are susceptible to manipulation (even self-manipulation, as we see in the end), distortion, and misinterpretation, which in turn raises questions about the nature of truth and reality.

The title Memento can also be seen as a reflection of the film’s exploration of personal identity. In his quest for vengeance, Leonard uses the mementos to create a sense of purpose and selfhood, despite the limitations imposed by his amnesia. However, it soon becomes evident that Leonard’s reliance on these physical reminders is both a strength and a weakness, as they ultimately lead him down a dark and morally ambiguous path. This duality underscores the film’s central theme: the complex interplay between memory, identity, and truth.

The title also serves as a reminder of the film’s broader commentary on the human condition. Just as Leonard relies on mementos to navigate his fragmented reality, we, as individuals, often cling to our own personal mementos—memories, beliefs, narratives—to make sense of our lives and define who we are. The film’s title invites the audience to reflect on the nature of memory and the extent to which our personal mementos shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

We also can’t forget that the movie’s title is based on the source material: a short story called Memento Mori that was written by Christopher Nolan’s brother, Jonathan Nolan. Although the film is quite different from the written work, the phrase “memento mori” is a classic artistic trope that signals the inevitability of death. Of course, we know death awaits someone by the end of Leonard’s journey. But that very idea of “inevitability” seems cruelly ironic in Leonard’s case, as he has no idea what’s inevitable—nor will he remember it.

Important motifs in Memento

Polaroid Photographs

Polaroid photographs act as a tangible manifestation of Leonard’s fleeting memories in Memento. He relies on these images to recall the people in his life and his interactions with them. Each Polaroid is annotated with key details, providing Leonard a semblance of control over his fractured reality. Yet, these photographs also symbolize the unreliability of memory. The context and significance of these captured moments are dictated by the notes Leonard scribbles on them, highlighting how subjective and manipulable memories can be.

For instance, the photograph of Teddy with the note “Don’t believe his lies” dramatically impacts Leonard’s perception of Teddy, causing him to mistrust Teddy despite his seemingly helpful actions. The Polaroids, thus, not only represent Leonard’s attempts to retain his past but also the self-manipulation of his own reality.

Tattoos

Leonard’s tattoos in Memento serve multiple roles. They are both physical reminders of his mission and symbolic representations of his guilt, regret, and self-deception. Each tattoo represents a piece of information that Leonard deems critical to his quest for revenge. The most significant among these is the tattoo across his chest, “John G. raped and murdered my wife.” This message epitomizes Leonard’s motivation, serving as a permanent, visceral reminder of his purpose.

However, as the narrative unfolds, we realize that these tattoos, like the Polaroids, are not necessarily truthful. They are subject to Leonard’s interpretation and manipulation. When confronted with the truth about his wife’s death and his vengeful mission, Leonard chooses to create a new “John G,” implying he can manipulate his “permanent” tattoos, his only reliable source of memory, to fit his desired narrative.

Mirrors

Mirrors frequently appear throughout Memento, playing a crucial role in communicating Leonard’s internal struggles. Mirrors often reflect Leonard examining his tattoos, symbolizing his attempt to understand himself and his past through these permanent inscriptions. However, as mirrors only provide a reflection—a reversed, possibly distorted image—they also echo the theme of distortion and reversal prevalent in the movie.

Mirrors often serve as a tool for self-confrontation in cinema. For Leonard, his reflections force him to face the reality of his condition and its implications. Yet, the fact that he often views himself through these mirrors while interpreting his tattoos also suggests a level of self-deception.

Repetition

Repetition is a recurrent motif in Memento, mirroring Leonard’s experience of living the same moments repeatedly due to his memory condition. This motif is present in the narrative structure, with scenes frequently repeating from different perspectives, and in Leonard’s routine of self-identification and mission explanation.

The constant repetition highlights Leonard’s trapped state, as he is caught in a loop of forgetfulness and rediscovery. It also underlines the cyclical nature of his quest for revenge, which, as revealed in the end, is a self-perpetuating cycle fueled by manipulated memories.

Questions & answers about Memento

Did Leonard really make up the story about Sammy? Or was Teddy lying to him?

The uncertainty surrounding the truth about Sammy Jankis is central to the deeper meaning of Memento. As viewers, we are initially led to believe that Sammy is a separate individual whose tragic story serves as a cautionary tale for Leonard. However, the revelation that Sammy’s story may be Leonard’s own casts a profound doubt on Leonard’s reliability as a narrator and complicates our understanding of his character.

This ambiguity not only reflects the film’s exploration of the unreliability of memory but also raises crucial questions about identity. If Leonard has indeed fabricated Sammy’s story, it suggests that our identities are not fixed entities but rather narratives that we construct and continually revise. In Leonard’s case, the possible fabrication of Sammy’s story is a means of escaping guilt and preserving a version of himself that he can live with.

The confusion surrounding Sammy’s story also serves to implicate the audience in Leonard’s quest for truth. As we grapple with the uncertainty of Leonard’s narrative, we question our own understanding and interpretation of the events. Much like Leonard, we must navigate a complex web of half-truths and deception, reflecting the film’s exploration of memory and truth back onto us as viewers.

Why would Leonard make up the Sammy Jenkins story in the first place?

Leonard’s remembrance of his wife’s insulin overdose is one of the most poignant and complex moments in Memento. His recollection of this event, which supposedly occurred after his injury, contradicts his assertion that he is incapable of forming new memories. This apparent inconsistency suggests that Leonard’s condition might not be as clear-cut as he believes, indicating that he might be suppressing certain memories rather than simply forgetting them.

The creation of the Sammy Jenkins story could be seen as a psychological defense mechanism, a way for Leonard to displace his guilt and create a narrative that absolves him of responsibility for his wife’s death. In this way, the Sammy Jenkins story becomes a manifestation of Leonard’s denial and self-deception.

This aspect of the film raises profound questions about the nature of memory and the role it plays in our identity. It suggests that our memories are not merely passive recordings of past events but active constructions that shape our understanding of ourselves and our past. If Leonard can create a false memory to escape his guilt, it implies that our memories, and hence our identities, are malleable and subject to our desires and fears. This idea further complicates the film’s exploration of memory, identity, and truth, providing a deeper layer of meaning for viewers to unpack.

Now it’s your turn

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