This document provides an analysis of key elements in the opening scene of the film Memento: 1) The title font and blue background juxtapose softness with a bloody crime scene, setting the tone as a psychological thriller. 2) A close-up of a fading polaroid sets up the narrative as a mystery and suggests the story will involve unraveling past events. 3) The first five minutes introduce the victim and villain through a still showing the villain shooting the victim, engaging audiences with violence. 4) The setting of an old, run-down house implies a crime between former residents and the risk of the daylight murder suggests the killer's confidence and planning.

1. Memento
Maddie Parsley

2. Title
The title font appears to be in Times
New Roman which is simple but
effective. Light blue is associated with
health, healing, tranquillity,
understanding, and softness.
However the image in the background
juxtaposes the softness of blue to blood
spat up the wall and a dead body.
This links to the genre crime and
psycho- thriller.

3. Narrative
The still uses a close up of a polaroid sets
up the views ideas about what the movie is
about. The faded polaroid makes the
audience instantly feel they must carry on
with the film. This connotes as the polaroid
is fading when in fact it should be
developing. This links to the genre thriller,
mystery by setting the audience up with
ideas od the narrative and what will happen
thoughout the psychological thriller.

4. Characters
In the opening sequence, the
audience are introduced to two
characters, the victim and the
villain.
This still suggests that the
villain is looking for revenge by
shooting the victim. This makes
the audience engaged by adding
a violent scene within the first 5
minutes of the movie.

5. SettingIn the opening scene, the audience cannot
fully see where the scene is taking place
however, in this still the walls are cracked
and the wall paint is very crusty and
lifeless. In addition, the room is dark but
has a sheet over the window. This could
suggest that it is set in an old, abandoned
house or apartment- which could be seen as
significant because it was a home which
was once lived in by a couple but has now
turned into a scene of a crime. Also, it
means that this murder was during daylight
which could suggest that the murderer
could not wait to kill his victim and
obviously knows what he is doing, even
though there is a risk being caught.

6. Editing
The editing used in the scene is
very complex and very
confusing to the audience. For
example, as the names appear on
screen, in the background a
polaroid is fading. The audience
feel perplexed as polaroid's
develop first, rather than fade.
Continuing on, we soon see blood
trickle backwards which shows the
audience that its playing backwards,
going back into the past. This could
reflect the idea of regret or guilt- so
he could fix the mistake of taking
someone's life- whether and enemy
or friend.

7. Cinematography
The close-up of the face could make the audience
have access to the mind or thought processes
(including the subconscious) and a close up is used
to stress the importance of this particular character
at this particular moment.
IN addition, the audience can see he is looking
down at his victim, which shows his power and
status, being portrayed as supreme and in control.
In contrast, the high angle shot
symbolises weakness, unimportant
and impotent. This tells the audience
that this man has no escape and
faces death.