Momento

Narrative Theory 6718 Regina Okeke

Disequilibrium

The titles which appear in the sequence are blue, blue connotes sadness and death, in thriller films so already highlighting hints of disequilibrium.

The slow sinister music with a dissonant, sustained chord creates unease and fear within the audience as the film starts off with heightened tension. The audience now know from a combination of the colours involved and the choice on non-diegetic music, there is something not quite right, this being the disequilibrium.

The image of the photograph of the dead man and blood running, unsettles the audience and watching the murder take place is confirmation that something has gone wrong already, therefore ausing disequilibrium.

Non-Linear
Actions happen in the opposite order, the more he fans the polaroid picture the more the picture fades rather than become more prominent. This use of non-linear structure confuses the audience but makes them more anxious causing them to want to know more.

Also, the story of the opening sequence unravels quickly as we see some of the questions we had through our confusion being answered. It poses another question to the audience which is what next?. The use of non-linear structure means the audience are presented with a lot of action and storyline from the beginning which keeps them engaged.