Film Review - Memory
Images courtesy of Potential Films.
We all fear the idea of forgetting who we are, the life we’ve lived and the people who love us. But what about those who would prefer to forget? Those who have suffered unimaginable trauma that will haunt them for the rest of their lives? In Michael Franco’s subtle but impactful drama Memory, the titular faculty of the mind is depicted as both a blessing and a curse.
Sylvia (Jessica Chastain) is a social worker who leads a quiet existence. She’s also a single mother to Anna (Brooke Timber) and a recovering alcoholic, dealing with issues from her past. Sylvia reluctantly agrees to attend her high school reunion along with her younger sister Olivia (Merritt Wever), where she is approached by Saul (Peter Sarsgaard). As she tries to leave, Saul follows her home. When he is found barely responsive outside her apartment the next day, Syliva learns from Saul’s brother Isaac (Josh Charles) that he has early onset dementia. Sylvia asks Saul why he followed her home, thinking that he had been part of a group of boys who had sexually assaulted her at school. She discovers this is a mistake, and takes a second job caring for him throughout the day. This union leads to both Sylvia and Saul’s lives changing forever.
With a heavy material like dementia and sexual assault, Memory could have easily taken the melodramatic or soap opera route for entertainment purposes, and felt cheaper as a result. However, it is clear from the beginning that Memory is not that kind of movie. Moving at a deliberately slow pace, the film treats its mature themes with sensitivity and intelligence. Everything is incredibly naturalistic, and nothing feels manufactured. This gentle approach helps make the world of the story feel intimate and authentic, while not taking away from the darkness of its plot. The film takes a while to fully kick into gear, and audiences may be left wanting more from the leisurely paced first half hour or so. Once the relationship between Sylvia and Saul is properly formed, however, it takes an emotional chokehold on you and doesn't let go. Chastain and Saarsgard are beautiful together and deliver appropriately nuanced and understated performances. Their pairing makes for an unconventional romance, with both characters on opposite ends of the spectrum of memory. Saul doesn’t remember what he did ten seconds ago, but Sylvia remembers everything that she’d rather forget, like being sexually abused by her father as a child, and her mother (Jessica Harper) not believing her. Here, we see two broken people come together and find solace in each other’s company, with Saul proving that his condition doesn’t hinder his capability to love or be loved. It’s a highly moving and profound sentiment.
Memory is bleak and hopeful at the same time, anchored by two excellent performances and a tender approach that takes its subject matter seriously. It demands patience and won’t be for everybody, but succeeds nevertheless.
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Memory is screening in cinemas now. For tickets and more info, click here.