Memento was the perfect movie to sum up everything we have been taught this semester. Specifically, I thought it dealt with the issues of truth and manipulation in a way that was very relevant to our class. As Teddy said, “You don’t want the truth. You make up your own truth.” The idea of creating one’s own reality runs throughout the entire movie. Because Leonard cannot make new memories, he becomes the extreme example of something we are all guilty of. He is manipulated, he accept lies as reality and creates his own truth. Whether this is a good or bad thing is something I am still trying to figure out. “So you lie to yourself to be happy.” Teddy tells Leonard, “There’s nothing wrong with that. We all do it.” We may all do it, but what are the implications of lying to yourself?

Memento is an example of how failure to distinguish between truth and lies can allow you to be manipulated. Leonard is manipulated by almost every character in the film (Natalie, Teddy, even the man at the front desk of his hotel), and in Leonard’s case, those manipulating him do not have very good intentions. However, Leonard’s willingness to accept lies also allows him to live his life. Lying to himself is easier than facing the reality that his wife is gone, her killer is dead, and Leonard has nothing else to live for. I found that these two issues, manipulation and the benefit of lying, were key concepts that were found in many of the texts we analyzed this semester.