Memento - Opening Sequence

Film: Memento (2002)
Starring Actor: Guy Pearce
Director: Christopher Nolan

I studied the opening sequence of 'Memento' and from the titles i knew it would be a thriller film. As the titles appeared, there was a close up of pictures from a brutal murder scene (which gave it away that it was a thriller) and as time went by the picture disappeared and became less clear. As the titles were shown non-diegetic music is played using various dynamics.

The opening is also in reverse of the what happened (the outcome/ending). Then the story goes to the beginning, which will then lead on to solving the mystery of why he murdered.

Shots used within the opening are close up shots, where you can see the details of the characters expressions, and it shows the important objects used at the time. It also shows you that the character is important in the story. Other shots used are over the shoulder shots. This is used when he shoots the victim. This shows that he has power and authority, he intimidates the victim. But when theres close up shots of the main character it shows that hes quite venerable

As well as the still shots, tracking is used when both characters are walking and talking in a conversation.

The generic theme is that a murder has taken place and the main story line has started from the end instead of the beginning.
The film is very realistic and believable, for example the murder scene at the start where threes a gun, blood and bullets on the floor. It suprises the audience that the opening is a murder scene and make them want to see more to find out the full story.