Memento

Memento was interesting and at times, very confusing. It has a very unconventional narrative structure - the film appears to be back to front. The audience also feel a sense of the confusion the main character Leonard experiences, as we see the answers before the questions, thus creating a vast amount of enigma codes, and few action codes that we can rely upon. This technique means the audience will have to focus more on the storyline, and then compile the overall plot of the film in their mind at the end of the film, thus creating a lasting effect on the audience. The use of flashbacks and memories also creates a certain non-naturalism to the events, something very unconventional to movies in general. This is most apparent in the scenes shot in monochrome, these being in chronological order. Leonard is seen talking to a someone on a phone, the identity of which we do not know until the end of the film. In fact we do not know the "reason" for these scenes until the end of the film, although they do also serve as an expliantion and background to Leonard and therefore the film's plot in general.

I think the opening of the film had a huge impact, as the brutality of the image (Teddy's head blown off his shoulders) in the polaroid is very shocking for an opening scene. It also creates enigma codes straight away, for example who has been shot and why? This scene is the only section shot in reverse - we see the bullets return to the gun, and Teddy come 'back to life'. The scene is repeated, this time in real time, chronologically to establish the overall image of the plot and all the questions raised during the film.

I think this structure was very effective, as it kept the audience ansking questions and kept them in the dark as to who was the villain and who was trying to help Leonard. The number of twists and turns created by the structure is incredible, and I think this is a very effecive way of creating enigma codes easily. However, this is a very original idea, and if used again, the resulting film may appear as just a carbon copy of Memento, therefore leading to a less positive response from the public.