What It's About:

Leonard Shelby (Pearce) is on a mission to find out who raped and murdered his wife-and why. Unfortunately, the same violent act has robbed Leonard of his short-term memory, so he must meticulously record whatever he learns on Post-It Notes and Polaroids, working steadily backward in time to solve the mystery. The colorful Joe Pantoliano and alluring Carrie Ann Moss are on hand as Teddy and Natalie, two people with undetermined loyalties, who help guide (or distract) Leonard in his mind-bending quest.

Why I Love It:

Ingenious thriller dares to be intelligent and different, and gets away with it. Since the audience sees most everything from Leonard's disoriented perspective, the movie requires more careful attention than your average thriller. Happily, "Memento" is suspenseful enough to command it. Pearce makes an ideal Leonard, a desperate man skirting insanity, but Pantoliano steals the show as the shady, enigmatic Teddy.