Research Log 3: 'Navigating the Fourth Dimension: Nonlinear Narratives in Film, Literature, and Television'

http://digitalcommons.uri.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1231&context=srhonorsprog

Essay written by Jason R. Boulanger in 2011

"Next we’re going to turn our attention to how film can illustrate these same sort of time
shifts using techniques, which are related to, but are different from those used in novels.
The film, Memento, is about a man names Leonard, who’s perception of time is skewed
by a mental disorder which prohibits him from forming new memories. Leonard is on a
mission to find the man who both killed his wife and caused his mental disorder."

"The plot of the film unfolds in two separate alternating narratives. One of the narratives is
told in chronological order and the other in reverse chronological order."

"The main plot of the film is the one that occurs in reverse chronological order; that which
you just saw in color. The idea behind this representation is that with each new scene the
audience is unaware of what actually preceded it. Representing it in this way, the
audience gets to perceive the world in the manner which Leonard perceives it. Since he
cannot create new memories he is constantly forgetting events he had just experienced,
so, as you just saw, he is constantly in a state of confusion and disorientation. A state
which the director, Chris Nolan, hoped to recreate for the viewing audience."

"Another aspect about this clip that I found particularly relevant was the use of color vs. black and
white to help the viewer distinguish between the two concurrent narratives"

The essay covers novels, films and TV; the above quotes are specifically from the film section. I think this source is useful as it analyses the way in which 'Memento' has been constructed and the different techniques used to convey the narrative. As it is a university essay I would consider it to be a valid source of information.