(2005/NEW ZEALAND)
REVIEWED BY-STEVE GENIER DIRECTED BY-AMIT TRIPURANENI CAST-RICHARD THOMPSON, TORACHEL GILCRIST, RAY TRICKITT, TIM SCHIJF and REBECCA MALLITTE. SOURCE-UNKREATIVE ARTISTS DVDR SCREENER.
"Nothing Lasts Forever"
Debut film from director Amit Tripuraneni brings us into a world of espionage, murder and most of all finding one’s self. Story driven tale about an ex-assassin John who has lost his memory living a life as a writer in peaceful surroundings with his wife, Tanya. Of course things aren’t quite as peaceful under the scope of things as life isn’t complete, John has a burning desire to remember his past. Haunted by nightmares and shaded by Tanya’s insistence of leaving those memories in a shroud of secrecy, it’s only a matter of time before they are awoken once again. Their past finds them in the form of an old acquaintance, a man named Roger. As time runs out before John’s memories begin to unfold, Tanya scrambles desperately to right the wrongs before it’s much too late. As a team of mysterious agents who are hot on Roger’s tail, discover the secrets of John’s past and exactly who he is.
I must start of by saying MEMORIES OF TOMORROW is a complete tour de force bullet riddled with espionage intrigue. A solid story in trenches you deeply and catches you so off guard that it’s much too late to run for cover. Though action is used sparingly, it’s all about quality not quantity here. As for when the guns fire, there is certainly some brilliant direction from the man at the helm Amit Tripuraneni. He has certainly done his homework on several different levels giving a top form piece of entertaining cinematic fun with a serious streak watching it’s back. It is quite evident that Amit has taken time and plenty of patience with mapping out MEMORIES OF TOMORROW and the best example of this is the superb performances put in by the entire cast.
Laying out characters that are likable and very believable especially the three central characters of John, Tanya and Roger. This triangle of brute force drives the storyline to near perfection. Actor Richard Thompson as the lead of John is by far the pinnacle of this story. His performance is worthy of an Oscar in my humble opinion as it is raw and quite edgy, still never losing that aura of being needy. His range as an actor is absolutely endless, as he bring the complete essence of John to reality. Of course kudos goes to Amit for his ability to handle these actors with complete professionalism. The smooth craft doesn’t end with the actor’s either as Amit also shows his sense of style and ability with MEMORIES OF TOMORROW’S technical side as well. The cinematography, down to the stylish transfers and lighting are all great signs of a director who knows his stuff inside and out. You the viewer are seated in a situation as if you are yourself spying on each and every scene. Amit brilliantly scopes a guerilla like camera style both raw and very spasy in the sense you you're self are lurking in the background, basically sitting you right in the film itself.
You ever ride the waves of life, sailing without worries though from time to time there are spikes that throw you off? Well, take that analogy and apply it to MEMORIES OF TOMORROW. There is a consist state of restlessness throughout the film’s storyline and atmosphere. John’s state of mind bare heavily on the film’s direction and overall feel, giving the viewer a bitter pill to swallow and a crash course in complete isolationism. One’s struggle to break out and discover what was on the other side, but is that a good thing or a bad thing, this is what you must deal with until the very truth spills out before you’re very eyes. You become very sympatric for a die-hard killer who is paying for his own sins in a way. You root for his cause for knowledge and for piece of mind.
Ah, one must not forget the secrets that John’s wife is keeping from him. Not only his past, but her’s as well. This is all calculated with percussion in the case of actress Rachel Gilchrist, who’s stunning beauty is the death of that who oppose her. A cold-blooded killer herself, she will protect both her interests and that of her husband’s at any costs. Of course that includes John’s past as well, as she would like to keep what he has done left under the stone. Once again, like Richard Thompson, Gilchrist’s performances is utterly incredible and yet sneaky as hell. Two opposites that complete attract the viewers into her web. No, she’s not really a bad person, but neither is John..They just want peace and quiet or at least that is what Tanya would like. John’s persistence with finding out his memories pushes her to the point of despair.
In closing, MEMORIES OF TOMORROW is a film that is surely one not to miss at any lengths. If it’s playing at local film festival or down the road on the wonderful world of DVD, do make the effort to catch some super-charged espionage with a thriller edge to it. You will surely not be disappointed at all as first time director Amit Tripuraneni certainly brings the goods to the table and shines a light on a very bright future. That goes with the deep acting talent as well.
4 BITCH SLAPS
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