Memory (2006) The Movie

The IF Magazine Review...

2007-06-12T13:13:00.000-07:00

By ABBIE BERNSTEIN, Contributing Writer
Published 3/23/2007

Okay, noting that MEMORY is better than PREMONITION is arguably not saying much, but in fact, this little genre thriller is better than a lot of similar flicks that have come before.

Part of the charm of MEMORY, directed by Bennett Devlin and written by Devlin & Anthony Badalucco from Devlin’s novel, is that it has a sense of real independence. For one thing, it’s doubtful that a major studio would go along with the mystery that our hero winds up investigating – a string of child abductions/murders perpetrated by someone whose memories are leaking into the hero’s mind.

Billy Zane plays Dr. Taylor Briggs, a medical researcher who, in an odd accident at a none-too-tidy hospital, winds up with a strange substance introduced to his bloodstream. Taylor, rational fellow that he is, at first thinks he’s hallucinating when he begins without warning to jump into experiences that are not his. Gradually, little clues pile up to indicate that Taylor is in fact having flashes of someone else’s memory – but whose? And how can Taylor find the person, who seems likely to keep killing?

There’s a pleasing air of freedom here. It’s rare in this sort of genre film to have character moments that are real character moments instead of having everything add up as clues – the filmmakers clearly enjoy creating all aspects of Taylor’s world, some of which tie into the main plot thread and some of which are just there to supply color. It’s a nice change from movies where, if we’re told anything, we can safely assume we’re meant to instantly add it to our store of knowledge (which often results in the audience figuring things out far sooner than the filmmakers intend). There are some good plot twists here and, even for those who can see the last one coming far in advance, everything seems consistent within the film’s mythology.

Zane is appealingly rueful and understandably apprehensive as Taylor, who goes through a visible personality transition throughout the course of the story. Tricia Helfer (Number Six on BATTLEATAR GALACTICA) makes a likable, distinctive romantic and eventually investigative partner and Ann-Margret and Dennis Hopper (the latter underplaying urbanely) contribute good supporting performances.

MEMORY is the kind of funky, mildly trippy psychic thriller that used to turn up far more regularly in theatres in the days before DVDs. It doesn’t remotely reinvent the wheel, but it’s got its own identity, the filmmakers actually care about their storytelling and it is ultimately both sincerely creepy and reasonably enjoyable.

The Variety Review...

2007-06-12T13:09:00.000-07:00

MEMORY
By PETER DEBRUGE

An Echo Bridge Entertainment release presented in association with 3210 Films, Paradox Pictures, Badalucco Prods. Produced by Bennett Davlin, Jesse Newhouse, Anthony Badalucco. Executive producers, Robert J. Monroe, Brandon K. Hogan. Co-producer, Barbara Kelly. Directed by Bennett Davlin. Screenplay, Davlin, Anthony Badalucco, based on the novel by Davlin.

Taylor Briggs - Billy Zane
Carol Hargrave - Ann-Margret
Max Lichtenstein - Dennis Hopper
Stephanie Jacobs - Tricia Helfer
Deepra Chang - Terry Chen

A doctor dedicated to curing Alzheimer's comes in contact with a strange powder that triggers disturbing flashbacks from someone else's life in "Memory." To dismiss Bennett Davlin's debut thriller as "forgettable" would be both cruel and inaccurate, although cynical crix are sure to take the bait. It's actually considerably better -- and far more intriguing -- than most entry-level horror pics, marrying a retro B-movie setup with the ghostly obsessions of recent Asian extreme cinema. Without big stars to attract auds in the States, "Memory" should migrate quickly to vidstore shelves. However, positioned correctly, pic could be huge in Japan.
Project originated as a novel, and Davlin -- who adapted his own manuscript -- must take considerable pride in finally seeing the words "now a major motion picture" in print. Just how major remains to be seen. Whereas the book is written in the breathless style of pulpy dime novels, its short sentences punctuated by excessive exclamation points, the film version takes its time. Interactions between characters are casual, familiar and ultimately more realistic than the stylized dramatics to which auds have grown accustomed.

Like a 1950s monster movie, "Memory" opens with characters gathered around a corpse spouting pseudo-scientific mumbo-jumbo meant to support the pic's fantastical premise. It seems the ill-fated researcher discovered a secret Brazilian powder that unlocks buried memories. When Taylor Briggs (Billy Zane) accidentally touches the substance, it unleashes a series of haunting visions from the year 1971 -- before he was born.

After the first and most spectacular of these flashbacks (an earthquake occurs while Briggs is brushing his teeth, followed by a torrent of water bursting through the bathroom door), Davlin shows the good sense to resist the traditional gimmicks associated with onscreen hallucinations. Instead, each successive blackout uncovers a fresh shard of a stylish and unsettling mystery, a tactic reminiscent of 2006's "The Return."

As Briggs grows increasingly obsessed, Zane balances George Clooney-like charm with his patented maybe-crazy glint. Learning that the powder allows him to tap into the memories of his ancestors, Briggs realizes the doll-masked kidnapper he's been seeing could actually be part of a long-buried family secret.

Even more unsettling, a complete stranger ("Battlestar Galactica's" Tricia Helfer) shares a similar memory, while longtime family friends Carol (Ann-Margret) and Max (Dennis Hopper) both seem to know more than they let on.

Over-the-top finale would be right at home in a Brian De Palma movie, but still manages to surprise. Thrills aren't so much experienced as indicated, although a more suspenseful score might have transformed "Memory" into a genuinely frightening affair.

Watch The Trailer....

2007-06-12T12:48:00.000-07:00