Question - How does Nolen convey Memento as a psychological thriller?

Response to ‘Memento’ - Opening scene

Nolen starts the opening to Memento with a blank screen (opening titles follow), followed by the development of a Polaroid in reverse. This instantly creates the most important element to a thriller – mystery. In fact, almost everything in the opening scene is played in reverse, and only later does the viewer come to terms with the fact that this is actually representing the main character’s mind or memories. Confusion – a form of mystery, further re-enforcing the theme of the thriller genre.

The music is haunting, and every important sound is enhanced. The firing of a shot. A scream. A bullet casing hitting the floor. These things add to the intensity, making the atmosphere far darker and more dramatic.

The camera shots are also important. Teddy, the main antagonist, is pictured on the floor, with the camera high above him – a ‘high angle shot’. This gives him a sense of vulnerability. Leonard, on the other hand, is pictured with a gun in his hand, standing over Teddy. This is a ‘low angle shot’, and gives him an aura of power, control. And the gun itself – a much-used weapon in the thriller genre; a connotation, if you like. Small, compact, discrete. At this point in the film, it could be the new James Bond.

Lastly, I find the director’s use of lighting clever. There always seems to be light shining on the main character – Leonard, however, there is hardly ever light shining on teddy in this scene, making him appear more dark and sinister, further adding to the mystery of the thriller piece.