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Memento Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 4.0
    80

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Generally favorable reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 100

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

    Memento, which may be the ultimate existential thriller, has a spooky repetitive urgency that takes on the clarity of a dream.

    Read Full Review

  • 75

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    A diabolical and absorbing experience.

    Read Full Review

  • 88

    out of 100

    USA Today Mike Clark

    Has the unanticipated craft and artfully ambiguous appeal of last year's "Croupier," a movie whose art-house word-of-mouth success could be duplicated here.

    Read Full Review

  • 90

    out of 100

    The New York Times Dana Stevens

    A brilliant feat of rug-pulling, sure to delight fans of movies like "The Usual Suspects" and "Pi."

    Read Full Review

  • 90

    out of 100

    Variety

    Deconstructs time and space with Einstein-caliber dexterity in the service of a delectably disturbing tale of revenge.

    Read Full Review

  • 90

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

    A provocatively structured and thrillingly executed film noir, an intricate, inventive use of cinema's possibilities that pushes what can be done on screen in an unusual direction.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Memento reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

not for kids

Innovative movie with a mature premise.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this movie follows the efforts of a man to avenge the rape and murder of his wife. Throughout the film, Leonard is motivated solely by his desire to find and execute the man he believes killed his wife. Characters drink, smoke, steal, lie to one another, sell drugs and commit murders. This is not a film that most viewers will be able to absorb easily: The plot is relayed in a jumbled fashion, as Leonard suffers from short-term memory lost, and the audience primarily relies on him for information.

  • Families can talk about the unorthodox storytelling. Did you find the different style here engaging -- or just confusing? Why don't more movies take risks like this one? Can you think other stories -- movies, books, etc. -- that unfold in non-linear ways?

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Characters drink, smoke, steal, lie to one another, sell drugs and commit murders.

What to watch for
  • violence false5

    Violence: The actions depicted in the film are set into motion by the rape and murder of Leonard's wife. Leonard is motivated solely by his desire to find and execute the man he believes killed her.

  • sex false1

    Sex: Lots of bare-chested shots of the main character.

  • language false5

    Language: Not an issue

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false4

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: The film deals extensively with drug deals, although the only drug use actually shown is a woman who snorted something that was probably cocaine.

Fan Reviews provided by

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by akChris20

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