Memento & Following

by Nolan, Christopher

• ISBN13: 9780571210473
• ISBN10: 0571210473
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-06-15
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Summary

The screenplay for the cult film that took audiences by storm Mementois a remarkably layered, psychological-puzzle film that explores the narrative possibilities of noir, turning its detective into a surrogate for the spectator while forcing the audience to embark on the same kind of sleuthing its main character is involved in. Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) is a former insurance investigator who since his wife's rape and apparent murder has suffered from a condition that renders him unable to form new memories. Despite his affliction, he's vowed to find his wife's killer and keeps track of his search with scribbled notes, Polaroids, clues tattooed on his body, and sheaves of documents. But as the film progresses everything Leonard holds as fact is undermined in a heart-pounding narrative that will keep audiences guessing until the final reel-and beyond. Also contained in this volume is the screenplay forFollowing, Christopher Nolan's critically acclaimed debut. The film follows an aspiring writer who finds an unlikely ally in a burglar who claims he breaks into houses only to experience other people's lives. Christopher Nolanlives in Los Angeles. Mementois a remarkably layered psychological-puzzle film that explores the narrative possibilities of noir, at once turning its detective into a surrogate for the viewer while forcing the viewer to embark on the same kind of sleuthing its main character is up to. Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) is a former insurance investigator who, since his wife's rape and apparent murder, has suffered from a condition that renders him unable to form new memories. Despite his affliction, he's vowed to find his wife's killer and keeps track of his search with scribbled notes, Polaroids, clues tattooed on his body, and sheaves of documents. But as this original, intense, and widely acclaimed film progresses, everything Leonard holds as fact is undermined in a heart-pounding narrative that will keep audiences guessing until the final reeland beyond. Also offered in this edition is the screenplay forFollowing, Christopher Nolan's critically acclaimed debut. This film follows an aspiring writer who finds an unlikely ally in a burglar who claims he breaks into houses only to experience other people's lives. Finally, along with both screenplays, there is an interview with Christopher Nolan and Jeremy Theobald (in which they talk to James Mottram about the making ofFollowing) as well as a jointly composed piece by Christopher Nolan and his brother Jonathan (author of the story on whichMementowas based) in which they recall the conception of the film. "Deconstructs time and space with Einstein-caliber dexterity in the service of a delectably disturbing tale of revenge. [A] beautifully structured puzzle, which sustains its mystery until the punch-packing resolution of the final frames."Lisa Nesselson,Variety Praise for the filmMemento "This jolting jigsaw puzzle of a movie grabs you and won't let go."Peter Travers, Rolling Stone "Deconstructs time and space with Einstein-caliber dexterity in the service of a delectably disturbing tale of revenge. [A] beautifully structured puzzle, which sustains its mystery until the punch-packing resolution of the final frames."Lisa Nesselson,Variety

Author Biography

Christopher Nolan lives in Los Angeles.

Table of Contents

Following	1	(102)
`Following On': Christopher Nolan and Jeremy Theobald interviewed	93	(10)
James Mottram
Memento	103	(130)
`How Memento Began'	233
Christopher Nolan
Jonathan Nolan