Memory movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Memory

RATING: R

LENGTH: 1 hour 40 minutes

MOVIE REVIEW MOM GRADE: B+

IN A NUTSHELL:

The story is about Sylvia, a social worker who leads a simple, structured life. Everything gets blown open when Saul follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they open the door to the past.

The film has already been nominated for several film festival awards, including Best Lead Performance by Jessica Chastain, Best Film, and Best Actor for Peter Sarsgaard.

The movie was written and directed by Michel Franco. It became a fan favorite at the Venice Film Festival in 2023.

THINGS I LIKED:

Jessica Chastain is such a terrific actress. I’ve loved her in everything she does. She’s believable as an everyday woman, as well as a glamor queen.
Equally as fantastic is Peter Sarsgaard. These two excellent actors dig in deep and offer tremendous performances that we can sink our teeth into.
The title is intriguing and refers to both of the main characters who experience different challenges with their memories.
The movie poster is also intriguing.
There are a couple of interesting plot twists I didn’t see coming. (I hadn’t watched the trailer.)
The grey color palette covers the entire movie, as if to remind us that’s how our memories fade and get fuzzy.
The story is touching and extremely intimate.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

It starts out very slowly and moves along at a snail’s pace.
While the acting is fantastic, this type of film may not suit everyone’s taste. It’s depressing, yet hopeful at the same time.