Remember Me

Tyler (Pattinson) is a very troubled young man. After his brother's suicide, his relationship with his wealthy but busy father (Brosnan) took a turn for the worse. Ultimately lonely and trying to affirm his existence to his dad, Tyler does not expect to find love around the corner. Yet he soon becomes united with Ally (de Ravin), who refused to fall into depression after the murder of her mother, deciding instead to live her life to the full. As their relationship develops, both characters grow and secrets are revealed that could threaten their love.

In a film starring Robert Pattinson, comparisons with blockbuster success Twilight cannot be avoided. Yet aside from the focus on a love story, the two films could not be further apart. Remember Me has everything that Twilight lacks: a rich plot, character depth, and strong performances from all actors (including Robert Pattinson).

Remember Me has room for a lot: a study on death and the different ways to cope with it, an exploration of the evolution of two characters with completely different outlooks on life, and a story of reconciliation. Instead of feeling crammed in its attempt to deal with all these things in two hours, it somehow manages to touch on all these subjects in a natural way. It was expectable, yet maybe regrettable, that the film focuses more on Tyler's evolution than on Ally's; too few films have the courage to admit that in the face of tragedy, pushing through can be just as damaging as dwelling.

In its title, Remember Me reminds us that both good and bad make up who we are and must be remembered. This film won't leave you unchallenged.

Pierre Schramm