Film No. 82. MEMORY (2024). 13th Dec.

 

Film No. 82 (2024) December 13th.  4.40 PM  LUNA CINEMA, Cinema 6,  Leederville.

"Why did you follow me home from the party? Or do you only remember when it's convenient?" (Sylvia needs to understand an aspect of Saul's recent behaviour).

  NOMINEE: Best Film (Michel Franco) Venice Film Festival.

Director Kelly Reichardt has a rival, when it comes to depicting human behaviour, on screen, of the naturalistic variety. Given Michel Franco's MEMORY, the likeness of styles is uncanny. 

There is a scene early on in MEMORY (M) when we know this seemingly straight forward story will be a complicated, emotional trial. Sylvia (Jessica Chastain) and Saul (Peter Sarsgaard) sit in a park. Saul has early onset dementia. Sylvia accuses him of something heinous from their school days. Saul is confused but calm. From here we know that the unravelling of these complications will be worth our time. The warmth that grows in their relationship builds to a final scene which verifies the sheer faith we've always held for the repair that Sylvia had undergone. It's the most heartfelt, on-screen hug of 2024, for me.

After SUNDOWN (2021), I was eager to latch onto Franco's next project. He has a single shot, extended scene technique that bulldozes us through family reveals, never allowing his audience a distractive moment.  10GUMS.