In terms of setup, themes, and characters, there is a lot of potential lurking in writer/director Michel Franco's Memory. The overriding problem for all of it? A severe lack of emotionally reverberant moments that also prevents any truly great acting from occurring.
For a very basic overview, Memory tells the story of Sylvia (Jessica Chastain), an emotionally-damaged woman living a severely sheltered life with teen daughter Anna (Brooke Timber)-who spends more time with "normal" aunt Olivia (Merritt Wever) and family anyway. After a bizarre occurrence following a high school reunion, Sylvia is introduced to Saul (Peter Sarsgaard)-a man suffering from dementia in which he has trouble remembering past activities. As these two "broken" people get to know each other, they discover a bond in their awkwardness.
Ostensibly, Memory is a film about the power of coming together (either as individuals or families)-rather than falling apart-in the midst of trials. Whereas both Sylvia and Saul are incontrovertible wrecks trying to fly solo, when they find each other something else flourishes entirely. While I might argue that Saul was lacking some backstory, this is pretty clearly a flick focused on Sylvia and all the seeds are there for that character.
But in large part depending upon how you prefer emotion to be handled in cinema, Memory may come across as rather dull and empty. Why? Because it contains little-to-no external flourishes to help prod the heartstrings, so to speak. This is a "empty looks to the camera" type of film, featuring no prominent score or soundtrack. There are no epic monologues or opportunities for large, emotional acting to peak through-of which I'd argue this movie needed in the worst way. For a cast featuring the established likes of Chastain, Sarsgaard, Elsie Fisher, and Jessica Harper, it was strange to just never get a memorable emotional moment from any of them.
For me, then, Memory was largely a disappointment. It may be better viewing for those who do not require an impetus for emotion other than "strict slice of reality", but for those looking for even a bit of emotional or thespian pizzazz you'll likely be searching until the credits roll and leave disappointed it was never uncovered.
For a very basic overview, Memory tells the story of Sylvia (Jessica Chastain), an emotionally-damaged woman living a severely sheltered life with teen daughter Anna (Brooke Timber)-who spends more time with "normal" aunt Olivia (Merritt Wever) and family anyway. After a bizarre occurrence following a high school reunion, Sylvia is introduced to Saul (Peter Sarsgaard)-a man suffering from dementia in which he has trouble remembering past activities. As these two "broken" people get to know each other, they discover a bond in their awkwardness.
Ostensibly, Memory is a film about the power of coming together (either as individuals or families)-rather than falling apart-in the midst of trials. Whereas both Sylvia and Saul are incontrovertible wrecks trying to fly solo, when they find each other something else flourishes entirely. While I might argue that Saul was lacking some backstory, this is pretty clearly a flick focused on Sylvia and all the seeds are there for that character.
But in large part depending upon how you prefer emotion to be handled in cinema, Memory may come across as rather dull and empty. Why? Because it contains little-to-no external flourishes to help prod the heartstrings, so to speak. This is a "empty looks to the camera" type of film, featuring no prominent score or soundtrack. There are no epic monologues or opportunities for large, emotional acting to peak through-of which I'd argue this movie needed in the worst way. For a cast featuring the established likes of Chastain, Sarsgaard, Elsie Fisher, and Jessica Harper, it was strange to just never get a memorable emotional moment from any of them.
For me, then, Memory was largely a disappointment. It may be better viewing for those who do not require an impetus for emotion other than "strict slice of reality", but for those looking for even a bit of emotional or thespian pizzazz you'll likely be searching until the credits roll and leave disappointed it was never uncovered.