Memento (2000) FAQ

Memento is a 2000 American neo-noir psychological thriller film written and directed by Christopher Nolan, and produced by Suzanne and Jennifer Todd. The film’s script was based on a pitch by Jonathan Nolan, who wrote the story Memento Mori from the concept.

The film stars Guy Pearce as Leonard Shelby, a man with anterograde amnesia (the inability to form new memories), who is searching for the people who murdered his wife. He is unable to store new explicit memories, while retaining implicit memories (procedural memory).

The two main sequences of the film are told in reverse order: the other in chronological order, supplemented by a series of satellite flashbacks (flashforwards) that provide additional information about certain scenes.

What Is Memento About?

Memento is a neo-noir psychological thriller film that was written and directed by Christopher Nolan. The movie follows a man named Leonard Shelby, who suffers from anterograde amnesia (unable to form new memories). The plot of the movie revolves around his quest for revenge.

Who Plays Teddy in Memento?

Joe Pantoliano played the role of Teddy, and he did so with aplomb. His character is one of the most important characters in the movie, as he was the only character close to Leonard Shelby for a period of time.

Is Memento Based on a True Story?

No, it is not based on a true story but it is based on the short story by Christopher Nolan’s brother Jonathan Nolan called “Memento Mori”. The characters are fictitious and they are created to tell this particular story.

What Is the Relation Between Leonard’s Two Stories?

The story being told in black and white is how Leonard was before his trauma, while the one in color is after. This can be seen in the first scene of the film. In black and white, Lenny is calm and orderly as he explains why he feels it necessary to kill someone; in color, he is frantic, troubled and uncertain as he hunts for Teddy.

The reason the black-and-white scenes come first is because Lenny thinks that’s the way it happened. The reason they seem to come first chronologically is because we’re seeing them through Lenny’s eyes.

Why Does Leonard Have a Tattoo: “Don’t Believe His Lies” on His Hand?

The tattoo exists so that Leonard will not be misled by himself into believing that all he has written down is true. He has written this to himself on his body so that even if he loses everything (which he does) or forgets that he wrote it down (which he does) this message will always be with him. The message itself reminds him of who he really is and gives him a chance to still save himself.

How Does Memento Work?

The ending is told in reverse. The final scene in the movie is the first scene in the story. But it’s not a simple rewind — these scenes are actually happening out of sequence.

The middle scenes are occurring at the moment that Leonard meets Natalie (Joey Pants’ wife). She’s trying to help him solve his wife’s murder, but she’s also working against him.

Teddy (Joey Pants) is innocent — he really is just trying to help Leonard find John G.’s killer. He doesn’t know about Leonard’s condition, because Leonard never told him.

Is It Possible to Watch This Movie Without Some Degree of Confusion?

Yes. Pay attention. The purpose of the film is not to confuse you, but to show how Leonard’s lack of short-term memory forces him to live in a confused state all the time. The flashback scenes are presented backwards in order for the viewer to feel what it must be like for Leonard.

Rather than the usual way of making flashbacks seem like memories from the past that are being recalled, these flashbacks are actually happening at the same time as his present; he has no past memories. 

Was Lenny’s Wife Diabetic?

Lenny’s wife was not diabetic. This is a persistent myth that has been debunked by the movie’s director Christopher Nolan. It was never intended to be an accurate account of short-term memory loss in the film and was used simply as a device to keep viewers on their toes as they watched Leonard try to piece together his past. ‘

The reason that Leonard is confused throughout the movie is that he can’t create new memories, and so he has to rely on notes, Polaroids and tattoos in order to remember things. Diabetic coma would have nothing to do with this.

However, in the short story (Memento Mori) upon which the film is based, the protagonist suffers from dementia due to diabetes mellitus. 

Was Sammy Jenkins Real?

Sammy Jenkins did exist, although he was not a police officer.

Who Is the Villain in Memento?

Jimmy is the villain in Memento. The movie then jumps to a point in time where he’s doing the same thing again — searching the same medicine cabinet and finding another bottle of insulin. The fact that there are two bottles makes it clear that she did not tell him because he already knew. This establishes one of several important clues that Leonard is lying to himself throughout the film.

How Did Jimmy Know About Sammy?

Natalie knew about Sammy because Jimmy told her; she then forgot but he later reminded her.

Who Was Jimmy in Memento?

Leonard Shelby is a man with anterograde amnesia (he can’t form new memories) who services as the protagonist of Memento. He remembers everything before the injury, but in the story he’s set out to avenge the murder of his wife, and he has to write everything down so he can remember it.

The character of Jimmy was created so that Leonard would have a foil – someone for him to compare himself to, and someone for him to use as an example of how dangerous his condition could be if he didn’t keep himself in check.

I think this script is amazing in its ability to convey emotion through action – Leonard’s interaction with Jimmy at the beginning of the movie sets up an emotional connection that is then used throughout.

Whowhy Did Jimmy Say Sammy in Memento?

Just like the main character, Leonard Shelby, we are given the story in reverse. This is why at the end of the movie when Leonard says, “I have to believe in a world outside my own mind,” it takes on a whole new meaning.

He’s saying that without believing he has a purpose, without having someone to care for and protect, he just wouldn’t have any reason to go on. He can’t rely on his own mind to tell him what the truth is or isn’t because he knows it will fail him.

That’s why he has to believe in Jimmy first and then later, his wife. Jimmy is his belief that there is a reason to go on living. His wife is his belief that there is someone out there who loves him and cares for him.

It’s sad really because when you think about it as a whole story, you realize that Leonard never did find out who killed Teddy and never got revenge for his wife’s murder. He only thought he was getting revenge by killing Jimmy/Sammy Jankis (a fake name).

However, even though Jimmy wasn’t actually John G., Leonard still got his revenge by killing John G.’s brother. The only problem for Leonard is that he doesn’t remember doing it.

Why Does Leonard Put on Jimmy’s Clothes?

The reason Leonard puts on Jimmy’s clothes is because they are the only clothes available at the time – they are clean and dry, while Leonard’s clothes were wet and dirty.

The short answer is that he wants to be Jimmy.

Leonard is a very confused person, and he’s trying to regain any sort of identity or self-worth by becoming the man he thinks he should be. He’s not really trying to become Jimmy per se, but rather become a different version of himself.

When Leonard was attacked, he lost his memory. He has no idea why or how, but he knows that he had a life before it happened and that “he” was someone important. He knows that “he” had an important job and a loving wife who loved him and was happy with him.

He wants to become the man that she describes – that’s his goal. But there’s one problem: Leonard is nothing like that now because of the attack. So he needs to become that man in order for her to love him again!

And so his solution is twofold: 1) get revenge for his wife, and 2) re-create himself in a way that will make her love him again.

This leads us into Part 2, which is his psychological condition. Leonard suffers from short-term memory loss (or possibly some other brain injury), which means he can’t remember what happened 15 minutes ago – even if you tell.

Who Is Lenny Talking to on the Phone in Memento?

The phone call is between Leonard and his doctor, who tells him that his condition has worsened since their last meeting (about 6 months ago), and that he should probably consider taking some medication if it becomes necessary.