#2 Thriller Opening: Memento

Memento [2000]
Directed by Christopher Nolan



SOUND
The non digetic sound comes from the musical sound track. It is slow and string-based, both unusual for a thriller. It builds to a climax at the end of the music building suspense in the audience. The non digetic sound is also  parallel to the image. The Foley is enhanced greatly, especially the cameras flash, instating its importance for the rest of the film. There is no dialogue, but there is a scream at the end, shaking the audience.

CAMERA
Typically of a thriller, all of the shots are close ups, big close ups or extreme close ups. Each of these allows the audience to see the characters facial expressions, while giving the impression of normal human viewpoint. A majority of the introduction is taken up with an extreme close up of a Polaroid. [0:00 - 1:16], this is because it is important. It also raises the question, 'Who is in the Polaroid?'. Raising questions is a key part of a successful thriller. It also includes foregrounding and many low angle shots.

ABOVE- Extreme close up

ABOVE- Extreme close up of bullet


MISE EN SCENE
As in Inception, the protagonist is dressed in pale colours, while the antagonist is dressed in dark colours, enforcing the stereotype of good and bad. However, the protagonist also wears a dark shirt, enforcing the notion in the audiences heads that perhaps all is not as it seams with the protagonist, which is reinstated when we realise that protagonist Leonard Shelby [Guy Pearce] has killed Teddy [Joe Pantoliano]. Its uses the typical thriller setting; naturalistic and urban. The setting is also inclosed and claustriphobic, another thriller trait.The use of lighting crates a dark atmosphere creating suspense.

ABOVE-Protagonist in pale colours, but dark top.
BELOW-Antagonist in dark colours.

EDITING
This film is very interesting in editing terms as this opening is in reverse. This creates a lot of suspense for the audience, and also asks a lot of questions. However, it still complies to stereotypical thriller editing techniques, like straight fast cuts and a fade at the beginning.

By Chloe Hobden