Remember

Slowly but inexorably, the veil of forgetfulness settles over Zev (Christopher Plummer). Since the death of his wife, dementia seems to be progressing faster than before. But before he finally forgets his past, he wants to settle one last score with the help of Max (Martin Landau), whom he met in a nursing home. The concentration camp guard who killed Zev's entire family over 70 years ago is hiding in the USA under a new identity. With the help of a letter in which Max has written down precise instructions, Zev wants to find the man and bring him to justice. With his last ounce of strength, Zev sets out on a journey that becomes not only a battle for retribution, but also a fierce race against time.

With Remember, Canadian director Atom Egoyan (Chloe) has directed a truly difficult film. On the one hand, the story he tells is genuinely gripping and extremely involving. But on the other hand, the age and progressive dementia of the main character inevitably bring a slowness and a repetitive narrative character, which repeatedly slows down or even slows down the narrative flow. Repeatedly, the viewer is confronted with details that Zev has to remember over and over again. This is consistently implemented, but can be a bit tiring and grueling for the audience in the long run.

Despite a subtly applied pinch of quiet, loosening humor, Remember proves to be a very tiring and in places even too long-winded drama. Even Christopher Plummer's outstanding performance doesn't help much. But there are two sequences that in the end make sure that the movie is absolutely worth watching despite its lengths. During his search for the alleged murderer of his family, the old man makes the acquaintance of a very friendly-looking police officer, portrayed by Dean Norris (Breaking Bad). This scene suddenly takes an extremely depressing turn, culminating in an unexpected finale that really shakes you in your cinema seat.

You would almost think that this was the most intense scene in the film. But far from it. Egoyan saves that one for the end. The resolution of the story is really great and really surprising. The last 5 minutes are so gripping and stirring that almost all the strains leading up to this scene are forgotten. Remember may be a challenge to the patience of the audience. But it is one that really pays off in the end. Atom Egoyan has created an atmospheric dense thriller-drama in which the theme of forgetting is dealt with in an unexpectedly haunting way, which ultimately leads to the fact that you won't forget this film - or at least its ending - just that quickly. And for that, despite some lengths and exhausting moments, there is then a clear: Worth seeing!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp