Thriller genre analysis

Film: Memento
Director: Christopher Nolan
Distributors: Summit Entertainment
Country: United States

To explore different genres i watched the title sequence of the 2000 film Memento. It is a psychological thriller, based around a man with severe amnesia which renders him incapable of storing recent memories.



The opening sequence unfolds in reverse, this creates a distorted and creepy effect which takes a while for the audience to gain their bearings and work out what is happening. It shows a man shooting another man, leaving the audience in suspense and providing an air of mystery to the scene.
Camera work: Close up's are used on each of the objects shown in the opening scene. This allows the audience to make the presumtion that these are signficant objects and relevant to the story's plotline and genre. For example, blood running down the wall and the gun, both of which are basic iconography that are directly linked to the thriller genre. A low angle shot is also used when viewing the killer which gives him a sense of power, and the audience gains the impression that he will be one of the main characters.
Mise en scene: The setting as far as can be told is in an old abandoned building, which is again stereotypical of this genre. The killer is seen wearing a suit which means he is of a particular status and makes the audience think that he has a reason for this murder, and wants to find out what it is. The colour within the scene is quite dark, with only some prominent colours, such as the red of the blood and the blue of his shirt, which draws the focus.
Sound: There is no background music during the opening scene, instead it emphasises certain realistic sounds, such as the sound of the blood running and dripping down the wall, the victim's shout and the gun shot.



Titles: The titles are shown mysteriously, using light and dark to create a mysterious atmosphere. The left part of the screen is mainly hidden in darkness, whereas the right side is less so. It provides glimpses of light, either through shadows or trees or the rain. The audience is left unsure as to what it is, only that there is not a lot of light, and so the setting is unfamiliar throughout the title sequence. There is also incidental music played throughout the opening titles, which adds to the mysterious mood, it sounds like some one playing the piano, gently and calmly. This contrasts with the lack of visibility to create a creepy atmosphere, the sound is clear and concise, but the audience is unable to see where it is coming from.