The Road Less Taken

Alyssia Hamdan

Usually in films we see a single timeline presented; a clear beginning, middle, and end. Over
time this standard in storytelling became repetitive. People love to think outside the box; thus
creative minds created new techniques to present on the big screen. One of these elements being
experimented was narratives. Christopher Nolan’s Memento (2000), presents it’s storyline in a
very unusual way. Not only is the unique approach presenting the opening of the film as the
conclusion, but also showing the same timeline starting at the other side of the story as well in
black and white leaving the audience disoriented. The overused plot of a disgruntled husband
avenging the murder of his wife, has been edited to put Memento on a whole new plateau.
Though the premise of vengeance is still a tempting premise, the alternative narrative makes this
film more intriguing.

Guy Pearce’s performance as Leonard Shelby gives us a restricted perspective of the world
around him in a span of 36 hours. Leonard not only suffered the grievance of losing his wife to
murder; but a condition causing short term memory loss. Everyone around Leonard becomes a
stranger the second his brain ‘resets’, leaving his notes and tattoos as the only thing he can trust.
To help the audience sympathize with our protagonist, manipulating the chronological order of
the events gives the characters a sense of confusion and frustration he felt. This style of narrative
is only possible through sacrifice. In this case it’s the sense of realism being taken away. This
confusion we experience comes togethers slowly. However, during the film this confusion gives
us an uneasiness and same sense of false hope Leonard feels every day. The conclusion of the
story finished with the murder of Teddy Gammell (Joe Pantoliano), the conclusion of the film
reveals something much more shocking. Teddy, at first was believed to be the murderer, was
once a sympathetic cop who later began to take advantage of Leonard and his disability. Still an
antagonist but for a completely different reason. Nolan’s decision to present this film in this style
is such an excellent way of captivating emotions from the audience. Even with our minds
constantly putting together the story, trying to put hints and cues from the story together to form
an idea of the timeline, we are so invested from the switch between the parallels. The use of an
alternative narrative also shows that the main character is in fact not such a clean cut protagonist.
With his condition, Leonard can be easily manipulated which is evident with his encounters with
Natalie (Carrie-Anne Moss); it can be used as an advantage for himself. Leonard is only left with
the use of his own writing as a form of protection and drive. At the end of the film, beginning of
the story, Leonard makes Teddy his new target. Perhaps a sign of denial that his purpose has long
ago been fulfilled, or the anger he has felt knowing Teddy has been using him for his own
personal gain. Regardless it has changed the audience’s perspective on this character completely.
As Leonard put’s the plan into place the film ends. In most cases this would have been an open
ended conclusion, but in Memento it’s just the final piece of this puzzling film.
Alternative narratives is a lesser known and practiced concept, one that can have an excellent pay
off if used correctly. The story’s theme can be shown through a whole new perspective as well
giving the film it’s own aesthetic, making it more memorable to the audience. Memento is an
excellent film using a unique form of storytelling to enhance the plot. The main idea behind this
technique of narration, is the idea that we can amplify the beauty of storytelling, creating
somewhat of a sub genre. Though certain film styles prefer a fluency in storytelling; taking a
different road not only opens up a world of possibilities but allows us to pioneer or even perfect
the boldest styles of cinema.