MEMENTO of Ghajini

“The world doesn’t just disappear when you close your eyes, isn’t it?” Leonard Shelby said. These words were spoken by the main character of the movie, MEMENTO, at the beginning of the movie. It smacked my senses. But as it progresses, it smacked me more and I just thought that what I thought was the beginning part of the movie was almost in the middle part of the story as a whole.



Memento is a Christopher Nolan film in 2000. It is a psychological thriller, both written and directed by Nolan. It is about a man with anterograde amnesia which impairs the ability of one’s mind to keep new explicit memories, in search for the guy who raped and killed his wife. It stars Guy Pearce, as Leonard Shelby, the one who suffers memory loss. Carrie –Anne Moss as Natalie, who gives him things he needs to know. And Joe Pantoliano as Teddy, the one he kills at the opening of the movie.

As aforementioned, the opening credits of the movie reminded me of one of my favorite movies, Ghajini. It is a Hindi romantic action drama film written and directed by A. R. Murugadoss and produced by Tagore Madhu and Madhu Mantena in 2008. It is somehow similar to this movie, since the main character, Sanjay, played by the famous Aamir Khan, revenges for his killed girlfriend, Kalpana played by the prettiest Hindi actress I have ever seen, Asin Thottumkal.

Elements in the movie such as a Polaroid Instant Camera which photos serve as remembrance of everything they need to commit to memory as well as permanent tattoos on his body were present in both movies. But there are still a lot of differences as to how the story was presented, the characters playing and the point of revenge, a wife in Memento and a girlfriend in Ghajini. Both were all for the name of love. There were rumors that the Bollywood movie was a mere remake of the one in Hollywood 8 years ago, but Aamir Khan says the movie is just inspired from the Hollywood flick and is not a copy or remake of it.


It took me a while to watch that movie several times backwards and forwards to end up eventually not understanding it. After finishing it, I can’t help but contrast it with Ghajini. I can’t honestly get what Memento is all about because I thought of it as a highly-intellectual movie in some way. After all, I can still say that Ghajini is better. The story and the plot appears more clear to me. And I was really swept away by the movie. After watching it, scenes in the movie are still playing on my mind. It has inflicted an impact to me, and I love it.

I always remember – A Walk to Remember

“But our love is like the wind. I can't see it, but I can feel it,” these was his last words. “I always remember it was late afternoon...” the song started singing. Then the ending credits were already rolling yet I am still in tears.




It was definitely A Walk to Remember. The movie was released in 2002. It made me think “Is anyone smarter than a 5th grader like me when it comes to love?” At that time, I was a 10 year-old kid who was never been in love but in love with the idea of love. This movie taught me how.

I have borrowed a book from a classmate and that was the very first romance novel book that I have read in my entire life, aside from those Filipino pocketbooks that are loitering around the house way back. After finishing it, I was really encouraged to see the movie for myself. So, I had a DVD borrowed but that’s when I was already on my 1st year in high school. Yet I still feel the same drama within me. I have watched it again when I was a freshman in college. And recently I have watched it all over again, now that I am on my last year in undergraduate school. Tears -- the manifestation of my inexplicable emotions were still present. Even if I stare at the cassette tape I have bought, more when I listen to the soundtrack sang by the top lead actors themselves, watch video clips online, read articles about it on the internet and look at still photos of the movie, the same rush of hopeless romantic blood creeps into my veins.

The ones to blame are Jamie Sullivan who was played by Mandy Moore and Landon Carter portrayed by Shane West. I charge the romantic story written by Nicholas Sparks on his novel, adapted on screen by Karen Janszen, the movie itself who was directed by Adam Shankman who was recognized after directing the movie “The Wedding Planner” and Warner Brothers for producing a heartwarming film as this, guilty beyond unreasonable doubt. It showcased the pastoral scenery of the small town of Beaufort in Carolina, providing a wonderful milieu for the blossoming of first true love. And aside all its beautiful elements—sincerity, trust and forgiveness, hope and sacrifice, it was more à propos to miracles. Miracles we tend not to believe, but exist for real. We just aren’t able to become aware of it happening already.

A campus heartthrob, Landon (West) and dedicated reverend’s daughter Jamie (Moore) were falling gin each other’s arms in this movie. Landon lived a life of prominence, pleasure, and excess, abusing and looking down on anyone outside and below his cool circle of friends, including Jamie. He’s forced to take on charity work after devising a dim-witted stunt that nearly paralyzes one of his pals. While mopping up hallways and tutoring youngsters, he came across Jamie. And there, everything else followed. Chance and fate brought them together and Jamie teaches Landon there is a different way to live and love.

The part where Landon grants Jamie’s wishes on her Top 50 to-do list with all his might was indeed a most wanted and my personal favorite. Especially the scene where he took Jamie on the border of Beaufort and he got her feet straddling the state line which makes her in two places at the same time, was a simple yet the coolest way of making her happy. Jamie, in her every move and speech, reflexively affected and inspired Landon, to have faith in himself and refurbish his life into something worth living. Landon, in turn, became her ever-dependable stronghold, especially in the face of tragedy.

The screenplay was a bit different to the book, and many would agree that the movie was better than the novel. Sentimental though not mushy, this is not only for the young, but for all viewers. After watching it, you sure would want to see more in life. You’ll see and learn more of God’s purposes in everything that is happening in our lives and miracles that we just close the eyes to. This is definitely a feel-good-must-see movie for everyone who inhales and exhales. Learn to inhale love, exhale hatred, and breathe with GOD in your life.