Remember Me in review

First Disclaimer: Spoiler alert!! If you have not seen this movie, it is best to go in knowing as little as possible about the plot. If you have not seen it the first part of this review will be safe to read, but I will insert another disclaimer before launching into the second half. You have been warned.

Second Disclaimer: I am not a Robert Pattinson fan, at least not before this movie. I do like the Twilight movies and books, but I do realize they are cheesy, poorly done, and have little if any literary value. So you can consider this an unbiased review.

This movie was amazing. I went in with very moderate expectations, and ended up loving it. The story focuses on two people, Tyler Hawkins and Ally Craig, who each witnessed a loved one meet a tragic end. The movie follows their romance, but it isn't really the focus of the film. It's about finding purpose, or rather, about having none, but still living each moment knowing that each decision you make can and does ultimately affect and change the lives of people around you.

The plot itself, when viewed simply as a series of events, is really nothing extraordinary. It's the people that make it fascinating and emotionally moving. It's witnessing the effects of these events on the people in the story that is truly the heart and soul of the movie.

As far as the acting, it was far from flawed, but still very well-done. I have not seen any of Emilie de Ravin's work (sorry, I've never seen a episode of Lost), but she played the character of Ally superbly, and suffers no lack of chemistry with Pattinson. However, chemistry with co-stars has never seemed to be a problem for Robert Pattinson. I really wish he had not taken on the role of Edward in Twilight, because anyone who has seen the teen dramas will immediately be reminded of his vampire moodiness while watching this film. However, while his moody, brooding take on Edward in the Twilight Saga is annoying and serves as great fodder for parody, in Remember Me, Pattinson's emo ways are perfectly justified. He may be a one-note actor, but he's damn good at playing that one note, and Remember Me perfectly showcases his talent for it. Ruby Jerins is adorable as Tyler's younger sister, but far from the best as far as child actors go. Chris Cooper and Pierce Brosnan completely nail their parts as Ally's dad and Tyler's dad, respectively.

Now for the second part. Seriously, if you haven't seen it, stop reading. NOW.




The surprise ending was very controversial to critics, and I honestly can't see why. There is no other movie like Remember Me in that there is no other movie that so directly addresses the tragedy of 9/11. Many reviews have claimed that this twist cheapened the movie and trivialized and exploited the tragic event, but I simply cannot agree. This movie was both about 9/11 and not. It didn't try to dramatize what happened, or bias viewers in any direction politically. If the events of 9/11 had to be written into film, it couldn't have been done with more sensitivity and humanity than Remember Me. This movie did not take sides on the event, nor did it make light of the very real tragedy. It wasn't about blaming 9/11 for Tyler's death. It was about how every life, no matter how short, or misguided, or aimless, effects the lives of others and is therefore priceless. It tells us that even if we never gain fame or recognition for accomplishing great things, if we can bring joy and happiness to just one person for just one moment, we have a life well-lived. Every moment is to be lived fully, with abandon. To quote Tyler Hawkins: Our fingerprints don't fade from the lives we've touched.