Film review: Remember Me
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If you don't want to know what happens at the end of Remember Me, then stop reading now.
Remember Me is the most dispiriting load of old wallop I've sat through this century. It's not just that the film is bad – there's plenty of bad films that I've loved from beginning to end – it's that Remember Me is completely fraudulent. The film starts in 1991, with the murder of a young mother in front of her 10-year-old daughter. A detective who attends the crime is the husband of the victim, and the father of the little girl. A "10 years later" title comes on screen, and Robert Pattinson appears, wearing the first of his endless collection of torn jeans and faded T-shirt ensembles, and mumbles his way into a relationship with Emilie de Ravin (Lost), who is the 10-year-old girl all grown up.
Pattinson is the sole reason this movie has ever made it into the multiplex. Without Pattinson, a film this pointless and infuriating could only have been (a) French and (b) on at the film festival. But, the world is full of teenagers who've been getting all tingly for the great shambling moppet ever since he first slouched into a Harry Potter. And to be fair, the problem with Remember Me isn't the performances. Pattinson does an okayish James Dean impersonation, that almost looks like acting if you squint hard enough. Chris Cooper is fine as de Ravin's over-protective cop dad, and Pierce Brosnan dials in a watchable turn as Pattinson's wealthy lawyer poppa. (Though Brosnan's idea of a New York accent is pretty hilarious).
No, what sinks Remember Me is the script: Pattinson feels hard done by because his dad doesn't pay him enough attention. Then de Ravin throws a paddy as she realises that Pattinson only asked her out to get back at her dad, who had arrested him a few months earlier, possibly for sulking. The big act two turning point arrives when Pattinson's kid sister gets a bad haircut. (No, really.) At around the hour-and-a-half mark, whatever dramatic potential Remember Me had is long exhausted. But how do you end a story that has never really begun? By flying a whacking great aeroplane straight into your lead actor, that's how. Remember how this film is set 10 years after 1991? Well, guess which building Pattinson's daddy has his law firm in ... There are great films yet to be made set against the horrors of September 11, 2001. But to casually co-opt the murder of 3000 people into your screenplay because you want to give your meandering drivel a bit of spurious tragedy and meaning is just plain wrong.
For 100 minutes or so of Remember Me, I figured I was watching a tedious but harmless teen romance. For the last 10 I realised I was watching the most misguided, pretentious, and offensive film I've seen in years.
REMEMBER ME
(112 mins)
(M)
Starring Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Pierce Brosnan, Chris Cooper.
Directed by Allen Coulter.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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great review,i almost vomited,this guy is just rinding the wave of immature tweens.
I thought it was an excellent movie. The characters were all believable, dealing with the things that life throws at them; yes, we're seeing the upper end of the bad things (murder of your mother etc), but that's what makes for drama. A movie where nothing interesting has or does happen to the characters would be pointless; it's their reactions to those out-of-the-ordinary events that makes for something worth watching. I mean which husband doesn't fear having to identify his wife lying somewhere, killed by who knows what. Which sort of man, particularly a cop, wouldn't feel guilty, and react by being overprotective of his daughter who had seen her mother killed. How unusual is it for a child to rebel against his parents; to want to be their own person; to not turn into their brother and kill themselves on their 22nd birthday because their life is too boring/coddled/sucky.
Besides which, I'd almost call this a 9/11 movie straight out; it's the story of the sort of ordinary person caught up in the crapshoot that was that day. It's the story of people doing exactly the right thing, if belatedly, (Tylers Dad) ending up putting their offspring in direct harms way.
Oh well. You can have your opinion. Pity; you'll never get those 2 hours back; I enjoyed them thoroughly.
The point of the film has obviously gone way over this reviewer's head. One star? Seriously, I'd like to see how many stars you give out to some other movies... how far into the negatives do you go.
Very excellent review. I watched this film bored to tears, and then when I realized what they were heading towards, I just got angry. you made me laugh, and you made me nod with agreement.
1. When I first read the reviews for RM and heard that it ended with a 9/11 twist - I was hesitant to feel anything at all for this movie (I did feel a little disgusted, perhaps). REASON: as a US Marine who served in Afghanistan and lost several friends as a result of 9/11 - I am emotionally invested in this piece of American history (just like others on this board, I'm sure). I wasn't ready to jump on the RM bandwagon, even if RPattz was the lead. <3 But after watching this movie last night I can wholeheartedly say that the film does not exploit 9/11 in any way, shape or form. It is very respectful of this tragic event and I think one of the many take home messages is that we should appreciate/cherish/do right by our loved ones because you never know when their time is up.
2. I am thoroughly impressed by Robert's performance. I mean, wow! He's got some great range :) BRAVO RM cast! You all did a fantastic job! I loved Ruby, Emilie, Pierce... everyone!!
3. This movie sparked a TON of thought and discussion when my friends & I got home last night... just like art should. Again, terrific job guys! I sincerely hope the film does really well.
I agree with Ala, this review is overdramatic. The film focused mainly on showing how Tyler and how he struggled to get his father to pay more attention to his family. Both Tyler and Ally lost someone really close to them in their life. Ally's father i beleive became really protective of her because she was all he had. Tyler's father distanced himslef from his family because of his son's death, maybe he felt somewhat responsible and didn't want to have the same effect on one of his other children. The end was very depressing, having one of the main characters die but the title was called Remember Me, it's sort of expected and although I'm not sure if it was intended or not the movie also helped me and other people I know to remember all of the people we lost on that day, that every [ersoon in that building was very tmportant and a special part of someone's life. I thought that it was a great movie, Rob definitely proved that he can be more than a gorgeous vampire and i would go see it again
It was a great emotional movie for a male lead. Reminded me a lot of real life families and I like that Summit films generally have such realistic lighting and gritty sets (the lighting and cinematography were beautiful). Also they don't hand everything to you on a plate, you have to think and fill in gaps for yourself. It's like these characters are just living their lives rather than in actors in front of a camera. It had a good message, that you must do what you feel is right. I thought it was great and your review should not have given away the ending. It wasn't emotional blackmail, it was just showing you the possible life of just one of those people who died in 9/11.
i just returned from seeing this movie, and personally i loved it, yes, i didn't expect the ending, that's just i wasn't paying attention to all of the innuendo's, i think that this is def r patz breakout role, he is a good comical and dramatic actor, yes it was a bit fast paced, they went through scenes like nothing, but it was def worth seeing, and i would love to see it again, i think that review was quite a bit harsh, anyone that has thought about seeing it should def.
The movie wasn't strong, but I think your over reacting a bit. If it hadn't been for the ending I would have thought Robert Pattinson was smoking hot, and the movie was crap! However, I sat in a packed movie theather, and when that ending hit and people realised what was going on, it was kind of comical seeing everyones shocked faces, and then their eyes well up with tears, and bawl their eyes out. I know I sure did as well. I think it was awesome, and Rob Pattinson showed us all he actually CAN act. His relationship with his sister being the highlight of the film. De Ravin's portrayal of her caracter pissed me off and she didn't suit the role, at all, and...just No. She was dumb. I did wonder why they made such a huge deal about the haircut, but having lost a brother the same way I can understand why people are cautious of her reaction. I think the reason for the movie is Tyler (Pattz caracter) fighting so hard to bring all the people back together again, which I think he did pretty damn well acting wise. So this is why I think they called it "Remember Me". Other than that, it was good! Average good. I'd DEFINITLEY watch it again though. I'm no expert but I think your being a bit over dramatic. But thats the good thing about humans right, we all have our own opinions. And who cares about mine! I fully think you should watch it if your thinking about it.
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Perfect review. Made me laugh out load because it was so true!! Ha ha what a load of rubbish! Plus the fact Pattinson didn't even look hot in it!