Memory is a romantic drama that is more about intimate memories than passionate encounters. Relying on nostalgia and shared experiences, the film is about a social worker named Sylvia (Jessica Chastain, The Eyes of Tammy Faye) who is followed home by Saul (Peter Sarsgaard, The Batman) after a high school reunion. This changes both their lives as they revisit the past.
Writer-director Michael Franco (Sundown) is constantly surprising the audience. The opening sets up a tense situation between Sylvia and Saul. After staring at her all night, he follows her home. Nothing good can come out of the situation, until more about Saul is revealed. At this point, there is empathy for him. When Sylvia reveals a shocking event from high school, there is a mix of pity and revulsion.
In this moment, Memory poses a number of difficult questions. Wisely, Franco does not pick sides and allows everything to hit with maximum impact. It is a lot to take in and the film never tips its hand. As the story unravels, more is revealed and those watching can make their own opinions.
These dilemmas are not left unaddressed for too long as soon Sylvia discovers the truth and the script pivots yet again to a love story. It is jarring to watch as Memory goes from frightening to disgusting to tender. The disparate range of emotions should not work, yet the plot will bring anyone watching along with each tonal shift.
Memory is anchored by its strong performances. Chastain is predictably great as Sylvia. The Academy Award winner gives a strength and vulnerability to the character that will make anyone watching care for her. Sarsgaard is almost her polar opposite. He has many of the same qualities that will draw audiences in, but his life is less structured, his past more jumbled.
This results in a delicate story about a budding relationship in which both participants can fall apart. A story about two broken people trying to find solace in one another can be a difficult watch. Thanks to its great acting, Memory is able to pull it off.
Memory is in theaters now
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