Memento

Analysis of Memento

Memento is a Psychological Thriller, typically revolving around mystery with a non-linear storyline. Many conventions are used both typically and uniquely in this film. At the very beginning of the film there is a use of a gun and Polaroids of a picture of a bloodstained room, the denotations used are guns and blood, which connote death and danger, these are conventions of the thriller genre and intertextual with other films.

The non-digetic sound is also used to very good effect; the introduction contains a large amount of disconcerting string sounds which leave the audience both wondering and right on the edge of their seats. Later on there are sounds which carry a drone to them, they rumble which goes well with the monologue being spoken by the main character, this gives a sense that the story may do the same thing, it signifies unhappiness and almost death, which the main character seems to have committed to in a way. The sounds are almost a taste of what will happen in the story, as it reveals negativity, matching the black and white and dark colours used in the mise-en-scene.


At the beginning of the film there is a black background with blue writing over it when introducing some of the key characters. This is very unconventional for a thriller film as typically we see white on black. This different text gives off a sense as if a bold statement is being made.


In the opening of this film, there is a strong use of footage being literally reversed - although this is not a distinct convention of the genre, the emotions it causes the viewer certainly are. When watching, without any further clue, the audience gain a sense of confusion because what is going on seems very enigmatic. It does not seem to be realistic.