Memento - Telling a Story In Reverse

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  • Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
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    Analyzing Christopher Nolan's film Memento, and how he manages to tell a compelling story when most of it happens in reverse chronological order.
    Check out all the screenwriting books we use as resources: kit.co/LFTS/sc...
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    Special Features were used from the Memento Blu-ray: amzn.to/2vTBWpT
    Thanks to Diego Rojas for composing original music for this video and this channel! Check out more of his work: / diegorojasguitar

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,3 тис.

  • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
    @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +911

    Hard to believe it's been 17 years since the release of Memento! What's your favorite Christopher Nolan film? Do you prefer his earlier work, or his more recent work? And as always: what films should I do in a future video? Let me know!

    • @ebhae199
      @ebhae199 7 років тому +27

      Here’s an entire video for you. An Arrival kind of video on Apocalypse Now were you talk about the difference and similarities between the novel (Heart of darkness) and the amazing war movie. With a specific focus on the changes that was made to change it from Belgian colony Congo to the Vietnam war, a war the author (Joseph Conrad) did not experience. If you need some more material you can talk about the horrible history of Congo and maybe a bit about Vietnam, or/and the many difficulties in adapting the screenplay to the big screen especially on set. I also have an awesome suggestion for the video title: Apocalypse Now - Changing Destiny.

    • @BreakingBanter
      @BreakingBanter 7 років тому +14

      Lessons from the Screenplay Do I even need to say what I want you to cover next anymore?

    • @smartwater598
      @smartwater598 7 років тому +42

      Lessons from the Screenplay Interstellar gets a lot of hate from pretentious idiots but Interstellar is a masterpiece.

    • @BreakingBanter
      @BreakingBanter 7 років тому +20

      The Leftovers or Steve McQueens Shame (2011) sometime soon please!

    • @strike3youdie
      @strike3youdie 7 років тому +7

      You should talk about the film ALL IS LOST, and how its able to craft an effective story/character study with pretty much no dialogue whatsoever. Should be pretty easy too, since the script is only 31 pages long.

  • @opedromagico
    @opedromagico 3 роки тому +699

    Christopher Nolan: Definitely
    Interviewer: Will you continue to make movies with non-linear storytelling?

    • @BL3H-
      @BL3H- 3 роки тому +49

      .ereht did uoy tahw ees I

    • @avanishdutta2658
      @avanishdutta2658 3 роки тому +9

      @@BL3H- How do i know this? Does it matter? Its a motel room. Mooncrush hotel. Room 201. There are notes. It says 'Find the monster and kill him.' Who? Who? Who? I need a pen. A pen, a pen, a pen. I can't find a pen. What am i doing here? Where am i?

  • @ammo76534
    @ammo76534 7 років тому +1045

    Who else thinks Memento is Nolan's best film?

    • @PlasmaKong2
      @PlasmaKong2 7 років тому +61

      Memento and The Prestige are my favorites by Nolan. All his other movies are good but extremely overrated IMO

    • @Nash9r
      @Nash9r 7 років тому +31

      I like Interstellar best. But before it was Memento.

    • @GeForceTranceX
      @GeForceTranceX 7 років тому +22

      I prefer Inception and The Dark Knight as they are very tense and compelling

    • @alexhutchinson4138
      @alexhutchinson4138 7 років тому +31

      Marvin Nash interstellar is a good story and it has amazing moments, but it's pretty drawn out and a little sloppy in parts. There are a lot of concepts that are introduced but never expanded upon and lots of things that are unexplained

    • @Nash9r
      @Nash9r 7 років тому +8

      May be. But it blew me away in the theatre. I can overlook the sloppy parts because the rest is so extraordinary.

  • @josephholden2595
    @josephholden2595 2 роки тому +1

    This was possibly the greatest story every told anywhere in any way in the history of the world. If not, tat it up and prove me wrong, Sammy

  • @pregorygeck6605
    @pregorygeck6605 7 років тому

    Instant like before watch. Memento & LFTS ? You know something good coming. Thanks man, keep up the great work.

  • @RickyKwokMath
    @RickyKwokMath 7 років тому +1

    Someone should do a "Lessons from the UA-cam video" on how well-thought-out and well-produced Michael Tucker's videos are. Also throw in a mandatory Inception joke, which I'll promptly laugh at, but then immediately roll my eyes and gently applaud.

  • @pencilfriendpaperscribbler6032
    @pencilfriendpaperscribbler6032 7 років тому

    Beautifully lucid analysis, lovely pacing, helpful diagrams. Every example of good, clear thinking is precious right now! Please consider doing Tinker, Tailor. I absolutely love that film. Spot the Stanley Spencer ref!

  • @kevtb874
    @kevtb874 7 років тому

    Thank you!! I can't stand people who call this a gimmick. The movie was clearly created, written and structured in a way that telling the story in this way was integral to it. It's not as if they wrote a thriller and then thought, ah shit, how can we make this more interesting now. No. It was planned from day one. The structure is the movie. Just like every other movie. This one just happens to be structured different than most.

  • @victoria4
    @victoria4 7 років тому

    I just watched this recently and it was so confusing until the middle / end. But that's what I loved about it

  • @MrShaiya96
    @MrShaiya96 7 років тому

    JUST HOW DAVID LYNCH REVERSED THE SPEECH ON THE MIDGET IN THAT COP'S DREAM IN TWIN PEAKS.

  • @legendary3952
    @legendary3952 5 років тому

    I’m chasing this guy
    No he’s chasing me.
    My favourite scene

  • @mahmoudmomtaz349
    @mahmoudmomtaz349 7 років тому

    I think you should do a video about the wolf of wall street, chinatown and Life of pi. Love your work from Egypt

  • @williamwalsh1533
    @williamwalsh1533 2 роки тому

    Memento is one of my favorites. But I only like two films from Nolan, the aforementioned and Following.

  • @teddypattinson5772
    @teddypattinson5772 7 років тому +3

    Momento is my favourite Nolan movie. But unfortunately the plot was spoiled for me at a young age by my loud mouth sister. It's the same with the sixth sense. I shall live the rest of my life not knowing what could've been...

  • @pedomanger3782
    @pedomanger3782 7 років тому

    great video, how about manchester by the sea, it could be a nice study about a realistic screenplay.

  • @HuggableWinter
    @HuggableWinter 7 років тому +10

    Generally I like reading books that experiment with narrative and allow the content of the story to dictate the narrative's form. As a result I was drawn to watching Memento. However, with Memento, while I felt compelled to watch every frame of the film, it was spurred on by fear of losing track of the narrative, rather than out of enjoyment. Overall, I liked the idea of the film but didn't enjoy how it played out.

  • @RyFo116
    @RyFo116 7 років тому

    do collateral!!

  • @JaziB
    @JaziB 7 років тому +2

    What did you think of Dunkirk?

    • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +4

      Meh? Which I know is not a popular opinion. But I didn't feel an attachment to any of the characters and ultimately didn't feel like there was much of a point to it.

    • @JaziB
      @JaziB 7 років тому +4

      I suppose the point wasn't necessarily to tell a traditional story but rather just show the chaos of war and the evacuation in particular.

    • @gokulkpeethu6642
      @gokulkpeethu6642 7 років тому

      I felt that way too.

  • @ryedied
    @ryedied 7 років тому +961

    Possibly my favorite ending to a movie.
    "Now, where was I?"

    • @LunarPenguin42
      @LunarPenguin42 4 роки тому +48

      You see i have this condition

    • @isaackmojica8302
      @isaackmojica8302 4 роки тому +21

      @@LunarPenguin42 i know Leonard!!

    • @donweatherwax9318
      @donweatherwax9318 4 роки тому +20

      That last line still gives me chills, every time, to this day.

    • @farrel_ra
      @farrel_ra 4 роки тому +4

      The first great movie that show us someone who have special condition is a really interesting story to watch his life in action

    • @lukkkasz323
      @lukkkasz323 Рік тому

      Is there something special about this that I don't notice?

  • @Horizon_29
    @Horizon_29 7 років тому +806

    To this day, the movie still blows my mind. Kind of like Teddy's.

    • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +60

      ;) See what you did there

    • @foolebrah
      @foolebrah 3 роки тому +1

      Teddys what

    • @J374338
      @J374338 3 роки тому +5

      Bruh I watched Tenet before knowing this movie, then I finished it, the story is definitely simpler to be grasp, compared to Inception, The Prestige and Tenet, BUT it’s Christopher Nolan, so ya, the twists within the movies always blow my mind

    • @Chris-kh2kn
      @Chris-kh2kn 3 роки тому +5

      "You can be My John G."

    • @soldierofislam7474
      @soldierofislam7474 3 роки тому +4

      @@LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      You : repeat the same joke to Leonard
      Leonard : haha ! NEVER HEARD THAT ONE BEFORE 😁😂😂😂

  • @crew_is_da_man9277
    @crew_is_da_man9277 7 років тому +1677

    This is a fucking classic. People can pick The Dark Knight or Inception to be his best, but this will be my favorite of his, story-wise. Nolan is full of storytelling surprises, but none are as crazy as this is, and that's a compliment.

    • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +84

      An exceedingly clever film.

    • @rishabhparmar140
      @rishabhparmar140 7 років тому +2

      Chris Beans pre dark knight Christopher Nolan was the best

    • @ammo76534
      @ammo76534 7 років тому +22

      Chris Beans This is also the most grounded and relatable film of Nolan's, plus it's brilliantly written and directed. Every time you watch it there's something new and it never relies on excessive camera movements or action scenes to tell its story, like Nolan's later projects

    • @jasonblalock4429
      @jasonblalock4429 7 років тому +21

      I tend to think that Nolan is a bit overrated as a writer, specifically. Not that he's *bad*, but that I rarely feel like his scripts are as clever as he clearly thinks they are. However, Memento is the exception to that. It's genuinely his best writing, and I think it's extremely evident that he put the most direct effort into making it work. His later scripts tend to be a bit more self-indulgent, and reliant on gimmicks to carry the story.

    • @NolanDean
      @NolanDean 7 років тому

      Chris Beans I absolutely agree. Whilst I love The Dark Knight, Memento often gets overlooked.

  • @stephengehly2319
    @stephengehly2319 7 років тому +653

    "Now, where was I?" is one of the best lines I've heard in cinema, due to it being presented this way. It's the very last line and due to the revelations that come right before it the line has the perfect mix of true innocence mixed with deadly implications. And the irony of it being a common expression but being a literal every moment of this guy's life question is just so perfect.
    Leonard is such a great character, played excellently. A wonderful example of how fragile our perceptions can really be. There must be nothing more frustrating than a search for the truth, when for you, the truth is literally impossible to understand.

    • @marstonsneddon8692
      @marstonsneddon8692 5 років тому +7

      one of the best characters ever written for the big screen

    • @grizzledwarveteran2321
      @grizzledwarveteran2321 4 роки тому +12

      It makes sense to both be an ending line and something one would say in the middle

    • @saarah5816
      @saarah5816 4 роки тому

      the plot twists blew my mind. ive never seen a movie like this, and that is why it is one of my favourites.

    • @exactzero
      @exactzero 3 роки тому +1

      That line just marked Teddy for death.

  • @LikeStoriesofOld
    @LikeStoriesofOld 7 років тому +516

    Nolan is such a fascinating filmmaker! I love how the manipulation of time has always been such an important element of his stories, no matter the genre; from Following and Memento all the way to Interstellar (which I did a video on!) and even Dunkirk, he always pulls off doing something inventive. Also, there's an interesting 18 minute analysis of Memento's structure on UA-cam by Christopher Nolan himself which I think would be a great addition to this video!

  • @kingly4900
    @kingly4900 4 роки тому +56

    I loved how he managed to create a backwards character arc. At the beginning of the film Leonard believes that he can trust his notes and himself, and that when he kills the man who murdered his wife he will be satisfied. By the end of the film he learns that he isn’t satisfied by finding and killing his wife’s killer and that he needs to continue the investigation to have a purpose in life, so he lies to his future self, also learning that he can’t trust himself in the same scene he decides to lie to himself. The structure worked together with the story to add to character arcs and themes and shows Nolan’s brilliance in writing and execution.

  • @dqkm4668
    @dqkm4668 4 роки тому +133

    One thing I noticed at 5:06 - Lenny doesn't write "do not trust her" in his own handwriting (in the beginning of the movie he says he only trusts notes with his handwriting). Because he doesn't really trust what Teddy is telling him.

    • @kimiatuma5829
      @kimiatuma5829 4 місяці тому +1

      You know, I was wondering that too. I thought about it quite often and I came to the same solution. In mimicking another handwriting, he makes his future self aware that the „fact“ is not written by him (even though it is) and that it isn‘t trustworthy. But at the same time he acts upon notes of other handwritings (e.g.: „Meet me after - Natalie“ on the bar card or Dodds information on the note) so I am not sure if it really is the final conclusion.

  • @doncorleole2356
    @doncorleole2356 4 роки тому +720

    Am I the only one who loves the
    "I'm chasing this guy.
    Oh no HE is chasing ME" part?

    • @santosic
      @santosic 4 роки тому +30

      The whole Dodd sequence from the moment he appeared onscreen was hilarious to me. It starts with him waking up in his room, and for some reason his confusion at seeing a man tied up in the closet made me laugh a ton. Goes to show how brilliant this use of backwards storytelling is, since you're just as confused as Leonard (if not more), due to not knowing what the hell is going on.

    • @ProxyDoug
      @ProxyDoug 3 роки тому +15

      Him in the bathroom going "I don't feel drunk" is also great.

    • @doncorleole2356
      @doncorleole2356 3 роки тому +5

      @@ProxyDoug What I tell to myself before the next bottle of wine lol

    • @jackdolah2031
      @jackdolah2031 3 роки тому

      Kinda like Tenet vibe.. It's creepy

    • @alfred3496
      @alfred3496 3 роки тому +6

      Rule of thumb. Almost any question beginning with: "Am I the only one who ..." can be answered with "NO"

  • @DrewBoivie
    @DrewBoivie 7 років тому +156

    Remember Sammy Jankis.

  • @GetDaved
    @GetDaved 7 років тому +590

    And then it lost the academy award for best editing to Blackhawk Down. *single tear*

    • @aadityabhattacharya
      @aadityabhattacharya 6 років тому +8

      GetDaved Gimmicks r always appreciate over logical reasoning

    • @in_vas_por8810
      @in_vas_por8810 6 років тому +4

      Seriously? Smh I didn't know that.

    • @abe10alpha
      @abe10alpha 5 років тому +33

      I mean, Black Hawk Down did have fantastic editing. But yeah, if I were a voting member, I would have chosen memento.

    • @elijah-he975
      @elijah-he975 5 років тому +4

      They always overlook Nolan 😢

    • @mickroyster6442
      @mickroyster6442 4 роки тому +1

      @@elijah-he975 every. single. fucking. time!!!!

  • @JacksMovieReviews
    @JacksMovieReviews 7 років тому +380

    Excellent video as always! Such a fascinating discussion of a great movie.

  • @muhamarfirmansyah3199
    @muhamarfirmansyah3199 7 років тому +295

    The film that defined Chris Nolan.

    • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +14

      Indeed!

    • @muhamarfirmansyah3199
      @muhamarfirmansyah3199 7 років тому +3

      Lessons from the Screenplay Good stuff you have right here dude. can you analyze how dialoque on tarantino's movies? i want to hear it from your perspective.

    • @palestar828
      @palestar828 5 років тому

      Agree. Still one of my favorites too this day

  • @teamorcas
    @teamorcas 7 років тому +507

    Has there ever been a director who has made this many great films consecutively to start their career? Nolan has never truly disappointed me with any of his movies since he began over 17 years ago!

    • @geriburrito
      @geriburrito 7 років тому +109

      I'd say David Fincher and Denis Villeneuve are up there with Nolan.

    • @teamorcas
      @teamorcas 7 років тому +36

      baby onion Agreed. Sicario, Arrival, Se7en, Zodiac, and The Social Network are all some of my favorite films

    • @jaymiddleton1782
      @jaymiddleton1782 7 років тому +39

      iComment Kurosawa, Tarantino, Scorsese?

    • @orfeas248
      @orfeas248 7 років тому +15

      uhm... his first film was Following, which came out in 1998, so 19 years ago. If you haven't seen it, you should, it's only 70 mins long and it's really good.

    • @blake_ridarion
      @blake_ridarion 7 років тому +2

      lol a number of directors..

  • @ajthesavage214
    @ajthesavage214 4 роки тому +51

    Well due to the quarantine I decided to watch Inception, Shutter Island and Memento on 3 consecutive days and now I'm mindf**ked...

    • @JeremySky
      @JeremySky 4 роки тому +6

      If you haven't seen them watch the prestige, zodiac, American beauty, seven, fight club

    • @ishaansejpal249
      @ishaansejpal249 4 роки тому

      Me too man! Same list haha

    • @vinay7a
      @vinay7a 3 роки тому +1

      Fight club was a great movie, but after watching soo many movies, I kind of got to know the many twist

    • @pedrooriakhi6206
      @pedrooriakhi6206 3 роки тому

      @@vinay7a You just start to expect these type of things haha

    • @birajsingha9879
      @birajsingha9879 3 роки тому

      @@JeremySky Prestige (2006) is great movie but to my dismay, i was already got it's twist.
      But Shutter Island (2010)?, Fuck man, i watched it thrice to understand it.

  • @stinknus
    @stinknus 7 років тому +28

    Nolan respects the audience's intelligence. Something I wish more directors and studios did.

  • @esotericsean
    @esotericsean 7 років тому +73

    I remember on a special edition DVD, there was a version of Memento that was edited "in order." Which, when you watched it, was actually much less interesting.
    Do Stranger Things next!

  • @Beforethecredits
    @Beforethecredits 7 років тому +167

    Nolan is such an incredible filmmaker. I can't think of a movie of his I have hatted at all which is rare. Which seems rare but he is obviously one of the greats. Also, clever running the opening backwards.

    • @goji253
      @goji253 6 років тому +1

      I didn't hate it, but DKR left a bad taste in my mouth, mainly due to bad fight choreography, Batman's voice going WAY over the top at some points and Bane having to be "realistic".
      I love the supporting cast in those movies, I love Bruce Wayne etc, but at the same time the "comic book element" kinda got lost (at least in that one)

    • @sagivijayaramaraju1153
      @sagivijayaramaraju1153 2 роки тому

      ​@@goji253 I agree TDKR has some bad fight scenes.But the final Batman vs Bane fight is the best choreographed fight in any Batman film ever.

    • @goji253
      @goji253 2 роки тому

      @@sagivijayaramaraju1153 It was pretty much just a slow-paced boxing match though...
      Like, the scene carries weight due to the stakes and buildup from the rest of the movie, but the choreography itself isn't really all that good in my eyes.

  • @Raghy07
    @Raghy07 7 років тому +77

    Memento is one of my favorite movies ever. Nolan's best.
    Would love it if you did a video on Manchester by the Sea. Brilliant screenplay.

    • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +10

      I still need to see that!

    • @Raghy07
      @Raghy07 7 років тому +2

      Lessons from the Screenplay Lucky :p
      Other suggestions: Before trilogy and Caeser's Apes trilogy. Keep up the great work

    • @josepablomartinez-rendon9484
      @josepablomartinez-rendon9484 5 років тому +2

      I hate Manchester by the Sea. It is boring, the monotonous acting from Casey Affleck is awful, and the pacing is so slow and sluggish. Not a good film, in my opinion.

  • @specsomeideas1496
    @specsomeideas1496 7 років тому +136

    He should have got an oscar for this movie (at least for its original screenplay).

    • @theerogueprincess
      @theerogueprincess 4 роки тому +7

      Specsome Ideas adapted screenplay

    • @farrel_ra
      @farrel_ra 4 роки тому +1

      The problem is, to get an Oscar..everyone must have the same understanding about the movie 1st..
      which isnt here obviouslu

    • @hippiecheezburger5457
      @hippiecheezburger5457 Рік тому +1

      Right, it was too creative and it didn’t win Oscar

  • @jonathanmulondo9206
    @jonathanmulondo9206 7 років тому +112

    Memento is one of those great movies you have to watch two to three times in order to fully understand it

    • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +20

      Definitely true...and trying to explain it people that haven't seen it is very challenging I've learned.

    • @amersalha8839
      @amersalha8839 6 років тому +2

      Jonathan Mulondo so true man, I just watched it for the second time in back to back days and I understand it now

    • @nathanslay6342
      @nathanslay6342 3 роки тому +1

      It is just incredible!! I freaking love this movie

    • @hippiecheezburger5457
      @hippiecheezburger5457 Рік тому +1

      I’ve seen memento like 30 times in life probably and still analyze the hell out of it which is amazing really, there’s like 3 main characters, 3-4 minor characters

  • @Bozothcow
    @Bozothcow 4 роки тому +30

    "What makes memento memorable..."
    *haaaah*

  • @claudepalmer6236
    @claudepalmer6236 7 років тому +163

    Thank you Michael. I always had a problem with Roger Ebert's review where he called the reverse storytelling a gimmick. It was clearly designed to make it so that you never knew any more about how Leonard got to the beginning of a scene than he did.

    • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +31

      Yeah, I think it's thought-provoking and interesting. Definitely not appropriate for every movie, but works for this one.

    • @growlinghands4696
      @growlinghands4696 6 років тому +2

      And it was also used to trick the viewer into accepting the unreliable narrator POV so that by the end we would be as much in denial as Leonard, but then *pow* the reveal would hit us as hard.
      Even by 2000 UN was a tired trope and yet Nolan found a way - a legitimate way - to bypass the conventions of it and craft such a singular, extraordinary movie.
      "Do I lie to myself to be happy? . . ."
      This is one of my favorite films of all time, even though I'm not particularly a Nolan fan.

    • @kelman727
      @kelman727 4 роки тому

      Precisely. It’s also why the film is more tightly-knit than most: you can’t remove one scene without impacting the next/preceding one.

    • @donweatherwax9318
      @donweatherwax9318 4 роки тому +3

      I identify with Leonard Shelby, the protagonist of _Memento,_ because of my own memory issues.
      Don't take that wrong: I'm great at remembering _some_ things - like stepwise arbitrary processes, which most people can't remember at all. But it took me years to work that out. (And, of course, as often happens, I ended up in a career where that's basically all I do.) But for everything else . . . I'm sorry, have we met?
      I once complained to my G.P. about it, on the off chance she knew of some new memory-enhancing pill; she didn't. Naturally, my doctor (I'll call her Dr. Memory) was very sympathetic to my plight. Or at least, she tried to be. But I soon realized that she herself had a near-photographic memory. Despite being very intelligent, she was essentially incapable of understanding what having a poor memory was like.
      (I'll tell you what trying to explain it to her was like: it was a lot like explaining to a "morning person" what it's like to be an "evening person". You "evening persons" out there know _exactly_ what I'm talking about. As for you "morning persons", sitting there scratching your heads, wondering what I mean by that . . . you can take a long walk off a short pier. Better yet, just forget it and go back to running the world. And spare a thought for us "evening persons" when you get a chance.)
      Trying to convey to my doctor what having a terrible memory was like, I told her that I identified with the guy in _Memento._ She'd never heard of it; but she was naturally curious, and promised to rent it and see what I was talking about.
      The result was exactly what I suspected might happen. Dr. Memory absolutely hated, hated, HATED _Memento._ She found the film so disturbing and upsetting that she could barely get to the end; she said it was one of the most unpleasant cinematic experiences of her life. (I couldn't have gotten a worse reaction if I'd recommended _The_ _Cook,_ _the_ _Thief,_ _His_ _Wife,_ _and_ _Her_ _Lover_ by telling her it was a nice family comedy about a restaurant.)
      The next time I saw Dr. Memory, she was literally _pissed_ _off_ at me. If you think about it, it's a measure of just how successfully Christopher Nolan achieved his goal (actually putting you in Leonard's head and forcing you to experience a form of anterograde amnesia) that my good-memoried doctor disliked _Memento_ so intensely. I could tell she'd literally never had any experience like that, not once her whole life long.
      We almost got into a fight about it. "Why would _anyone_ make a film like that?", she demanded to know.
      _"Because_ _that's_ _what_ _it's_ _like!",_ I told her.
      To her credit, Dr. Memory finally understood what I was saying, and calmed down. But for the remainder of the visit, she couldn't keep herself from returning again and again to the subject, like Leonard circling back again and again to his wife's murder. Dr. Memory had become a living testament to the power of that brilliantly-made film.
      The last time I saw Dr. Memory, she'd really changed her mind about _Memento._ In fact, she told me that when her patients would complain to her about their loved ones who were having memory issues (like their aging parents), she would actually recommend they watch _Memento_ -- for the insight it would give them about the experience their afflicted loved ones were going through.
      I've heard of quotes from some movie "entering the lexicon". But an entire film making it into a physician's formulary? That's really something. _That_ is a recommendation.

    • @tool_fighter
      @tool_fighter 4 роки тому +1

      @@donweatherwax9318 Yup. Brilliant movie that allows viewers to get an idea what it's like. Sadly, it also reveals the stigma regarding mental illness/brain injuries, with a majority of viewers siding with the corrupt, serial killing cop, rather than the real victim in the movie.

  • @naminabantu
    @naminabantu 4 роки тому +13

    How the hell can someone even think of doing something like this?
    Christopher Nolan is a bloody genius.

  • @denvajr
    @denvajr 7 років тому +123

    Could you do a video on the movie Adaptation written by Charlie Kaufman? I think that is such an underrated film and it has such a wonderful screenplay. Also, keep your great work. I know you don't make videos often, but when you do, they are amazing.

    • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +29

      Definitely on my list.

    • @denvajr
      @denvajr 7 років тому +7

      Lessons from the Screenplay I was also thinking you could do an analysis on Blade Runner since the sequel will soon be released. In my opinion, the film is one of the best sci-fi films.

    • @karmickoala642
      @karmickoala642 7 років тому +4

      Lessons from the Screenplay Better yet, do Synecdoche, New York. It's probably the best modern screenplay imo. Eternal Sunshine is up there as well. Anything by Kaufman really

    • @denvajr
      @denvajr 7 років тому +3

      Karmic Koala Synecdoche, New York is such a complex film. Everytime you rewatch it you can find something new in it. And the theme of death in the film really resonates.

  • @quotesinquotes
    @quotesinquotes 3 роки тому +7

    Quote from Memento:
    (Leonard Shelby)
    ''The world doesn't just disappear when you close your eyes, does it?''
    Closing your eyes isn't going to change anything. Nothing's going to disappear just because you can't see what's going on. In fact, things will even be worse the next time you open your eyes. That's the kind of world we live in. Keep your eyes wide open. Only a coward closes his eyes. Closing your eyes and plugging up your ears won't make time stand still.

  • @GraemeGames
    @GraemeGames 7 років тому +12

    It's amazing that this man has given us other "best of all time" quality films like The Dark Knight, Inception, The Prestige, and now Dunkirk - but Memento is still my all time favorite Nolan film.

  • @VinhLe-kx1ze
    @VinhLe-kx1ze 7 років тому +10

    Could you do the movie "Her"? I've always loved that movie, and would love to see your take on it.
    Keep up the good work!

  • @smartwater598
    @smartwater598 7 років тому +31

    How do directors like tarantino, Nolan many others get money at the very start of their career? I mean were they born rich? how can they make movies when it cost so much?

    • @randomguy6679
      @randomguy6679 7 років тому +4

      smart water producers

    • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +33

      There's no one way, and it was honestly different 20 years ago than today. But generally Nolan self-financed his first low-budget feature, which got enough attention to get funding for Memento.

    • @hobbyistcontrarian4389
      @hobbyistcontrarian4389 7 років тому +44

      Nolan's first film was _Following_ in the nineties. It was a no-budget he put together with his non-actor friends for £6000 and spent a year advertising at various indy festivals. As he was editing it he started writing _Memento_ presumably out of compulsion, so he had it ready when a studio came up and said, "Have you got anything else going we could finance professionally?" That film earned him the kudos for _Insomnia_ and then he was snapped up by Warner Bros. The rest, as they say, is history.

    • @smartwater598
      @smartwater598 7 років тому +3

      thanks

    • @NmpK24
      @NmpK24 5 років тому +2

      Tarantino wrote Reservoir Dogs and got into a new Director's workshop run by Sundance festival where they helped him work on it. He also somehow got the script to Harvey Keitel, who was a big reason why it got financed.

  • @andrewpawlowski8809
    @andrewpawlowski8809 7 років тому +49

    Dude congrats, this vid is 22nd on trending.

    • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +8

      Thanks!

    • @xpythagoras4044
      @xpythagoras4044 7 років тому

      Andrew Pawlowski at 33K views guess why

    • @boombang5750
      @boombang5750 7 років тому +1

      +Lessons from the Screenplay Awesome video, Congratulations. Can you make a video description on how to make a noir?

  • @hiphoprbloverjon9180
    @hiphoprbloverjon9180 7 років тому +126

    The most confusing movie I've ever watched.

    • @Nipponing
      @Nipponing 6 років тому +26

      It's not confusing, it just has a lot of questions.

    • @krishbhardwaj1360
      @krishbhardwaj1360 6 років тому +13

      Watch enemy starring jake gyllenhall then...

    • @jofall91
      @jofall91 5 років тому +5

      HipHopR&BLover Jon took me 4 watches and watched the version in chronological order and I finally completely understand it

    • @SuperMinecraftera
      @SuperMinecraftera 5 років тому +2

      Watch Predestination, much more confusing!

    • @JohnGhost
      @JohnGhost 5 років тому +8

      As someone that saw Memento knowing that it is told in reverse, I was constantly on my toes watching the film and was paying full attention and I'd say I pretty much understood it all after the first watch.

  • @DeathbyNoob15
    @DeathbyNoob15 7 років тому +26

    What a coincidence. I just read Memento Mori for my Literary Techniques and Story Development class.

    • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +3

      Oh interesting. I should read the short story.

    • @DeathbyNoob15
      @DeathbyNoob15 7 років тому +2

      It's pretty interesting. Read it in Adaptations (From Short Story to Big Screen) by Stephanie Harrison. It's always interesting reading the original ideas before they were adapted into a larger story.

    • @cllgscreative
      @cllgscreative 7 років тому

      I read it as well but don't remember it. I have this condition called THE CHRONIC.

    • @mannyluke7566
      @mannyluke7566 7 років тому

      Do you go to Full Sail?

    • @DeathbyNoob15
      @DeathbyNoob15 7 років тому

      Yes. I'm taking online classes.

  • @ebhae199
    @ebhae199 7 років тому +22

    I want to say a big thank you for implementing my idea of the added text. I think Ghostbusters look funnier and better and Gone Girl amazing. As a appreciation gift I send you Swedish subtitles to my favorite video of yours: The Dark Knight and are willing to write more if you are interested.

    • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +10

      Thank you for reminding me to do it! I really appreciate the subtitles (as I'm sure many Swedish-speakers do), so if you'd like to do more of the videos I would absolutely welcome it.

    • @ebhae199
      @ebhae199 7 років тому +2

      Swedish people are actually quite good at English. But I will do it when I feel for a tough challenge, outside of writing subtitles to my own videos.

  • @mmaakk32
    @mmaakk32 7 років тому +76

    My favourite backwars told story is still To the Moon. :')

    • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +9

      Not familiar with it, will have to check it out!

    • @PandeyNisheeth
      @PandeyNisheeth 7 років тому +28

      Lessons from the Screenplay Its not a movie. Its a story based game about two people going into the memory of a dying man so that his life's wishes are fulfilled in his mind.
      Its really good, even if it doesn't seem so at first.

    • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +14

      Oooooo

    • @dragoniraflameblade
      @dragoniraflameblade 7 років тому +2

      Mine too!

    • @Coolbillion
      @Coolbillion 7 років тому +10

      Mine is the USA in the last few years 😍

  • @vaylonkenadell
    @vaylonkenadell 5 років тому +5

    The reason the Sammy Jankis story is so important -- and I think most people miss this -- is because it brings up the issue of _muscle memory._ Isn't it funny how Leonard just seems to _know_ how certain things work? How to drive that car, how to load and shoot a gun? Why does he know those things?

    • @vaylonkenadell
      @vaylonkenadell 5 років тому

      @Tech x Ah, right. I had forgotten that he'd used a gun prior to his injury. Fair enough.

    • @firdausmansor1
      @firdausmansor1 5 років тому

      well he got short term memory loss..

  • @stvafel803
    @stvafel803 7 років тому +19

    So is Leonard actually the one who killed his diabetic wife? Been a while since I've watched but I've never figured it out?

    • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +27

      Yeah, that's what the film suggests. That all the stuff with Sammy Jankis and his wife is actually about Leonard and his wife.

    • @helpee
      @helpee 6 років тому +10

      No, Teddy was just saying stuff to throw Leonard off from thinking that he set him up to kill Jimmy. The story makes more sense if they're different people - note that Sammy's condition is mental and can't form routines while Leonard can. Sammy's story is just what Leonard tells people to better understand his condition and how Leonard learned to function better with Sammy as precedent. If Leonard=Sammy who overdose his wife, it'll make more sense if he forgot about that, thinks his wife is still alive and won't have flashbacks of when his wife is raped and murdered.

    • @tool_fighter
      @tool_fighter 4 роки тому

      @@helpee Correct. And...don't forget... that "Sammy's problem is that he didn't have a system". Leonard's system came through in the end.

    • @danojuric
      @danojuric 4 роки тому +2

      @@LessonsfromtheScreenplay whooooooa no, it does not! Teddy lies about it. After Leonard calls his bluff, Teddy goes into detail explaining that they already got the guy over a year ago. It's pretty clear that Sammy is a completely different character. Watch the movie again, you'll see

    • @suckablyat6254
      @suckablyat6254 3 роки тому

      @@danojuric lol, there's literally a scene from the movie that shows sammy is leonard

  • @genxguy5275
    @genxguy5275 7 років тому +9

    One of the best films ever made. Now.... where was I?

  • @ammo76534
    @ammo76534 7 років тому +11

    Great video Michael! Speaking of non-linear structures, could you do a video on Citizen Kane's structure?

  • @tiredoffools8929
    @tiredoffools8929 6 років тому +35

    Memento is an underrated MASTERPIECE.

    • @bookeblade
      @bookeblade 4 роки тому +1

      Memento
      RT- 93
      Metascore- 80
      Audience score- 94
      IMDB rating- 8.4
      Box office- $40 million.
      How is that underrated?

    • @haveidonethisbefore
      @haveidonethisbefore 3 роки тому +5

      @@bookeblade most people don't know about this movie's existence

  • @resaron
    @resaron 7 років тому +12

    Another fantastic analysis of an amazing movie, keep up the good work!

  • @CenapharStudios
    @CenapharStudios 7 років тому +7

    Beautifully crafted per usual! Would love to see an analysis of American Psycho. A film about individuality in identity, through 80's Manhattan!

  • @NolanDean
    @NolanDean 7 років тому +1

    As for a potential video, since Halloween is coming up, I would love to see a horror focused essay. I know you did The Shining, but what about a more traditional horror movie in the likes of Psycho, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, etc?

  • @joshguzman63
    @joshguzman63 7 років тому +10

    This is definitely my favorite Nolan film! Great job as always :)

  • @andyburich
    @andyburich 7 років тому +3

    It's been too long, old friend! Thanks for another great breakdown. I use Memento as my writer's block breaker and I'm glad that I can add this video to help me as well.

  • @apriletmanski
    @apriletmanski 7 років тому +9

    Great work as always. Can you do something with Avatar: The Last Airbender and/or The Legend of Korra

  • @rahul3336699
    @rahul3336699 7 років тому +5

    Do BIRDMAN, THE PRESTIGE, INTERSTELLAR and LA LA LAND!

  • @XavierKatzone
    @XavierKatzone 4 роки тому +1

    Just watched it again after seeing it years ago. It's a Sixth Sense gimmick that others tried but, like Sixth Sense, could not successfully be repeated without being obvious artifice. Watch it here in CHRONO ORDER and see if it retains its mystery:
    vimeo.com/194394156
    And - is Sammy really just Tyler Durden?
    Finally, ever see the 2001 musical with a very similar structure, "The Last Five Years"? I suspect that Memento was a big influence on this structural choice (without which the whole show might be inconsequential!).

  • @irenefantasea
    @irenefantasea 7 років тому +6

    Great video as always! Has anyone else noticed how the scheme of the scene structure resembles pretty closely the DNA replication system on the lagging strand, considering the black and white parts as the Okazaki fragments? 😁

    • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +3

      🤔

    • @irenefantasea
      @irenefantasea 7 років тому

      Lessons from the Screenplay I know, it's a bit mental. But I swear now that I saw the connection I cannot unsee it. *goes back to the cave* 😂

    • @smtucker0419
      @smtucker0419 7 років тому +1

      irenefantasea Not as advanced as you, but I did think genetic code with the graphic

    • @irenefantasea
      @irenefantasea 7 років тому

      smtucker0419 I'm glad you saw a resemblance, too! 🤗

  • @sagivijayaramaraju1153
    @sagivijayaramaraju1153 2 роки тому +1

    I think Nolan has the best starting 10 years of any directed ever.Memento, Insomnia,Batman begins and TDK,The Prestige and inception are the films he made btw 2000 and 2010.Show me another director who had better films in a span of 10 years?

  • @aumdeoli4902
    @aumdeoli4902 7 років тому +8

    i saw this review and i clapped! it broke new ground!

  • @lukereviewscriterion8062
    @lukereviewscriterion8062 4 роки тому +1

    Memento got no love from the Academy Awards, though.

  • @jakobrogers625
    @jakobrogers625 7 років тому +4

    1. The Dark Knight
    2. Interstellar
    3. Memento
    4. Inception
    5. Dunkirk
    6. The Prestige
    7. Batman Begins
    8. The Dark Knight Rises
    9. Insomnia
    10. Following

    • @heloisx1015
      @heloisx1015 6 місяців тому

      ?
      Memento is, by far, the most impressive movie he has ever made. Inception is a copy of Paprika and the other movies are average

    • @jakobrogers625
      @jakobrogers625 6 місяців тому

      @@heloisx1015 Paprika and Inception are nothing alike

    • @heloisx1015
      @heloisx1015 6 місяців тому

      @@jakobrogers625 the shots (literally equals) the narrative, the dialogue about dreams, illusion, perspective and reality etc etc probably paprika goes beyond in some aspects and Inception have different points in the script but it's literally a copy

    • @jakobrogers625
      @jakobrogers625 6 місяців тому

      It literally isn't. Both movies are going for completely different tones and have different goals. Simply having a similar shot or two and being about dreams doesn't make it a rip off

  • @littletraveller5428
    @littletraveller5428 4 роки тому +2

    Guy pierce is one serious actor. And his accents are on par with Peter sellers

  • @TestSubjectNerd
    @TestSubjectNerd 7 років тому +3

    I don't think you've made a bad video yet, sir. Of the ones I've seen (which isn't all of them, simply because I haven't seen all the movies you've talked about!), your explanations and analyses have been simple, clear, and insightful. I'd love to see a video about Fight Club from you, or better yet, one of my all time favourite movies: Shaun of the Dead, 'cause I'd love to hear what you would have to say about them.
    Keep up the good work, Michael!

  • @anganbakonjengbam5567
    @anganbakonjengbam5567 4 роки тому +1

    Master piece movie, Nolan misses his oscar, movie starts from the endwards

  • @quantumtobi
    @quantumtobi 7 років тому +3

    You can do Spirited Away, In the Mood for Love, There Will Be Blood or Atonement!!!!

  • @vezu2023
    @vezu2023 7 років тому +1

    I like how Nolan trusts his audience's intelligence but on the first watch I must admit I was perplexed.

  • @jamisendinel663
    @jamisendinel663 7 років тому +3

    I'm so glad you did this video. Memento is my favorite movie of all time!!!!

  • @isaacallan1
    @isaacallan1 7 років тому +2

    Another excellent LFTS video! I finally watched Memento for the first time this year and it was a great experience. Thanks for the insights into the screenplay.

  • @katjasaanum4402
    @katjasaanum4402 7 років тому +5

    Please do Mr. Nobody!

  • @mickroyster6442
    @mickroyster6442 4 роки тому +1

    In my opinion, Memento is the most Kubrickian film post Stanley Kubrick

  • @ytwtchng6532
    @ytwtchng6532 7 років тому +9

    Can you do this for Dunkirk. Nolan also uses an interesting non linear structure there that is worth exploring.

  • @Sethpelepchuk
    @Sethpelepchuk 7 років тому +2

    Thank you so much for this video! I remember requesting this and you responding! Keep up the good work you're one of my favorite people to watch on UA-cam!

  • @specsomeideas1496
    @specsomeideas1496 7 років тому +19

    Nolan is a true genius.

  • @WeEzZL
    @WeEzZL 7 років тому +1

    08:30 - 08:45 almost gave me some sort of OCD induced stroke.

  • @paulinaenck5797
    @paulinaenck5797 7 років тому +3

    Would love to see your thoughts on Hitchcock's Rope.

  • @stevenbush8262
    @stevenbush8262 7 років тому +1

    I watched this for the first time yesterday and now people are making videos on the movie 17 years later

  • @hobbyistcontrarian4389
    @hobbyistcontrarian4389 7 років тому +7

    Memento: proof that good filmmaking is mostly in the script and the director's understanding of it, regardless of how much money you throw at a project.
    Looking at you, D.C.

  • @JohnCine
    @JohnCine 6 років тому +1

    Memento the most criative movie of Nolan.
    To understand very well its recommend watch again.

  • @BreakingBanter
    @BreakingBanter 7 років тому +256

    Man do I feel bad that right after you did a GoT ep on its quality of writing, it turned around and shat on everyone with Beyond The Wall. What trash.

    • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +152

      Wait, really? That may have been my favorite episode of this season. I feel like the show is squarely its own thing at this point. I try not to judge it too objectively and just go along for the ride.

    • @BreakingBanter
      @BreakingBanter 7 років тому +21

      Lessons from the Screenplay Trust me, if you can watch it without having your analytical mind on, keep it that way. We review it weekly so we have to stay tuned in, and my god was it a disaster top to bottom.

    • @azmin92
      @azmin92 7 років тому +40

      Lessons from the Screenplay truth! You're definitely right. Just enjoy the ride.

    • @geriburrito
      @geriburrito 7 років тому +45

      What are you talking about? that episode was a wonderful piece of multiple character development mixed with some incredible action/tension scenes and a perfect ending. One of the best in the whole series without a doubt.

    • @VertigoDefinitivo
      @VertigoDefinitivo 7 років тому +26

      Breaking Banter It was dumb, but in a fun kind of way.

  • @mandysue1857
    @mandysue1857 4 роки тому +1

    Within forty minutes I think this film became one of my favorite movies!

  • @halim9049
    @halim9049 7 років тому +4

    This is my film school.

  • @palestar828
    @palestar828 5 років тому +1

    This is one of my favorite movies of all time!!

  • @paulomagalhaes498
    @paulomagalhaes498 7 років тому +3

    When one of my favorite channels recommend other of my favorite channels.

    • @LessonsfromtheScreenplay
      @LessonsfromtheScreenplay  7 років тому +2

      The Wisecrack guys are awesome, and have been a friend to this channel since the beginning.

  • @kingofwakanda6899
    @kingofwakanda6899 7 років тому +21

    FUCKIN HYPE

  • @nathanslay6342
    @nathanslay6342 3 роки тому +1

    This movie is clearly one of my favorites. It’s just incredible. It’s thrilling and amazing even upon a second watch. Best script ever since Pulp Fiction.

  • @vinaykumarsahu116
    @vinaykumarsahu116 7 років тому +8

    i am big fan of your work. Excellent film analysis as always. hope u continue this awesome content. lots of love from India

  • @diegom-a7970
    @diegom-a7970 7 років тому +2

    YES! Thank you for this, Memento is such an inteligent movie

  • @jacquelinezanders683
    @jacquelinezanders683 7 років тому +6

    Haha! I was so confused by the beginning! I thought something was wrong with my computer...
    Anyway, thanks for the new upload! I learn so much from you.

  • @BertieFett
    @BertieFett 7 років тому +2

    Fantastic video. I love all Nolan's movies but momento and inception are my favourites for their balance of cleverness, story and entertainment. Can't wait to see what film you tackle next😀

  • @enricofrancese2883
    @enricofrancese2883 7 років тому +1

    Great video, as always. I like how you introduce Truby's Designing Principle as the whole that turns a low concept into an original feature.

  • @aumdeoli4902
    @aumdeoli4902 7 років тому +11

    do one on LA LA LAND, BIRDMAN, DUNKIRK (when its on dvd or bluray)

  • @tatakaye2
    @tatakaye2 7 років тому +1

    I think, for me this is one of the best screenplay along with sixth sense. One is complex with time and didn't reveal everything unless you watch color scenes and another is very linear, explains everything in simple manner yet shocked the audience with it's climax. I subscribed you just because of the comparison of true detective and seven. Good work.