Memory

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The only thing that would make this movie better is a part 2! So beautifully written and the acting superb. Drew me in deeper and deeper. Totally touches the heart. If you know anyone with memory loss this movie gives hope, hope for humanity as well. I spend many hours watching all different kinds of movies and I wasn't sure if I would like this one. But, I was totally surprised. I loved it. It ended too soon if you ask me and I would love to see where this story can continue. I am happy to use my imagination, but, I would love a part two. I hope the creators read my review and at least think about it. I am not a movie critic and I have never wrote a review before.

It tells a story of Sylvia (Jessica Chastain), a social worker, who, after a high school reunion, is followed home by a stranger. This stranger, Saul (Peter Saarsgard) is really just lost because he has dementia and doesn't remember where he is or how to get home. The two then get to know each other and have an affair. What lies beneath the love affair is trauma, mental health problems, abuse, and addiction. While I appreciated that the film was trying to portray these issues slightly differently than most films, it is extremely slow moving: half way through I almost lost interest as I struggled seeing where it was headed. Only about half way through we get to find out more about Sylvie's past, her drinking since she was in high school, addiction and sexual abuse by her father - which both Sylvie's mother denied and her sister never talked about or never provided support to Sylvie. Jessica Chastain and Peter Saarsgard pull off good performances and they are great together. Ok to watch once, but it doesn't make much emotional impact and is quite forgettable.

This film is almost impossible to talk about without disclosing both characters mental illnesses so if you'd consider that to be a spoiler stop reading now. Memory is a drama that unbeknownst to me was released back in February but from my understanding only had a limited cinema run if at all. It stars Jessica Chastain as Sylvia a social worker who after attending a high school reunion is followed home by Peter Sarsgaard's Saul. Saul is suffering from Dementia and as is unfortunately the case with a lot of dementia sufferers he's become a burden to his brother who he lives with. His brother leads a busy work life and whilst she is initially hesitant Sylvia eventually agrees to look after Saul when she's not working her other job. What I felt this film did a great job of getting across is how in the midst of the hustle and bustle of life when a family member has such an illness like dementia where they require care it's easy for the sufferer to start to feel less human. This film shows Saul and his struggles but it also shows that he's still a human being who still has the cognitive ability to form relationships and be of use, he just requires extra care from time to time. Sylvia on the other hand is a recovering alcoholic, the film explores the reason she started drinking but that would be going into spoiler territory. I will say though that although she's been sober for a long time she is still haunted by the events that unfolded in her past that lead her to start drinking. The film whilst undoubtedly bleak in tone which is to be expected given the subject matter never has any images that are there purely to shock. Instead it's a very real take on how two people with their own individual struggles can find comfort in eachother. I appreciated the films unique look at dementia and whilst it's certainly one you have to be in the right mindset for its worth watching if you get the chance.