Memento [2000]Director: Christopher Nolan
Writers: Jonathan Nolan & Christopher Nolan
Starring: Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Jorja Fox
The original. Deliberately disorienting, it's two alternate narratives cleverly merge to catch the viewer off guard. Guy Pearce, as the anterograde amnesia suffering lead Leonard, successfully toes the line between a cool-as-cucumber performance while displaying the vulnerability a person in such a conundrum would likely face. Leonard's plight is further aggravated by the seeming shady intentions of Natalie (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Teddy (Joe Pantoliano). Christopher Nolan, as well as writing partner and brother Jonathan, deserve praise for not using the plot device as a gimmick. Offering it instead as a perspective into the mind of their protagonist.
Ghajini [2005]
Director: A.R. Murugadoss
Written by: A.R. Murugadoss
Starring: Surya Sivakumar, Asin Thottumkal
I'm still trying to find a subtitled version of this to review. What little I do know is that rather than rip-off/borrow the plot of "Memento" wholesale, A.R. Murugadoss is only interested in the memory-loss aspect. The other similarity being the hero's search for his lovers killer. The movie was a huge phenomenon down south making its star, Surya, a huge box-office draw overnight. Most reviews, professional or otherwise, describe it as flawed but largely entertaining so as long as the viewer does not pay attention to glaring loopholes in its plot.
