Audience Theory – Momento
My first impressions of the film where that it was intense and confusing. I was however very impressed with how it confused me, as this meant it was a clever film especially in the way in which it was created; at first I didn’t understand the way in which the scenes of the film where ordered but after roughly half an hour into the film I understood that there where two initially separate, parallel storylines – the main one, shot in colour, is the backwards story with scenes that intercut with those of the other story, which is filmed more like a documentary, shot in black & white, and mostly takes place inside a motel room with the main character narrating, talking about the effects of his condition.
The opening scene showed Lenard shooting Teddy. People would be quite shocked but this as it is an extreme act of violence. However as the film went on more violent acts appeared and by the end of the film someone may not find a shooting as shocking as they did at the beginning. This is an example of the Desensitization theory which is where someone gradually becomes immune to violence when they are over-exposed to it.
The majority of the audience for Momento would be watching it for entertainment purposes. According to the Uses and Gratification Theory everyone has different uses for the media, other reasons for an audience may be for personal interaction ie. Going to the cinema as afterwards the film would be a cause for convocation or maybe personal identity ie. The viewer might enjoy watching films they in which they can relate to the characters. I feel it is possible to identify with Lenard more than the other characters because of the way in which it is filmed. It filmed so that you don’t know what has just happened this is extremely effective and puts you in the same position as him.
After reading reviews, all of which I found where extremely positive, I noticed how very complexed and profoundly clever Momento is. On average people gave it 8.6/10 on performance, this is extremely high eg. “Christopher Nolan’s “Memento” is truly a rare and exceptional achievement in modern filmmaking”. My positive view of the film is now much strong because other peoples positive opinions have been forced upon me this proves the Two-Step Theory.
After reviewing this film I find that the Desensitization theory is the most effective. I find this because I was defiantly far more shocked when viewing violence and the beginning of the film in comparison to the end.
