Life lessons are always the toughest to learn, and accept. But they constantly force you to remember what truly matters. Acceptance is hard for all of us and the one of the only things in life, that we can never change. There are not many films that can convey this. "Remember Me" does it with ease.
Now, in a blog that respects great entertainment, you somehow wouldn't expect Robert Pattinson to be in that category. But today, I will have to make an exception. I have been excited to see "Remember Me" for months now, looking forward to seeing what Pattinson can do outside of "Twilight". Although, I'm sure most audience members bought tickets just to see Edward Cullen in another movie, "Remember Me" can stand alone without members of Team Edward supporting it.
In a movie where the trailers deceive the audience about the true story, "Remember Me" delivers an emotional roller coaster of subtle proportions. Tyler Hawkins (Pattinson) is a young college student about to turn 22, who hates his emotionally distant father (Pierce Brosnan) and fights endlessly for his 11 year old sister, Caroline, played by the fantastic Ruby Jerins. Hounded by the fear of an uncertain future because of the suicide of his brother, Michael, on his 22nd birthday, Tyler is at loss of what to do with life except to simply live it. And he does, with the only thing that matters to him, his sister. But when he is given a dare to date the daughter (Emilie de Ravin) of the Detective (Chris Cooper) that arrested him a few days earlier, everything changes. Life becomes something more than he expected as he slowly falls for Ally.
Of course, there is a love story. However, this movie is anything but a chick flick. Written by first time writer Will Fetters, you also wrote Summit Entertainment's upcoming "Letters to Juliet", the story however subtle, finds a way to creep in and unleash a roaring amount of emotion from the audience. It is a story about seeking forgiveness and learning how to live with grief. As an aspiring screenwriter myself, I was truly impressed with Fetters abilities to connect with movie goers. In the film, Tyler keeps a journal, that we eventually learn are letters to his dead brother. At the beginning, he begins an entry with a quote from Gandhi: "Whatever you do in life will be insignificant. But it's very important that you do it." This is what the story is all about. All the characters must come to a realization that you may not be significant to the world, but you can be a significant part in the lives of others. And the life of Tyler Hawkins is just an example of that. It's authentic and poignant in its subtlety, especially with the twist at the end.
The last few moments are the most powerful, reminding the audience that life isn't full of happy endings, but rather, is a long string of good and tragic ones. And somehow, we are able to unite and move forward.
I always knew Robert Pattinson was a great actor. And if you ever doubt it, watch this movie. When he finds a way to match up to the acting brilliance that is Pierce Brosnan in what is I think, the best scene of the movie, there can be no doubts. He truly does shine in this film. Now, I wouldn't say it is award winning by any means, but everything about this film is heart-wrenching and real. At the end, the writer found a way to make the life of Tyler Hawkins matter to everyone. That above everything else, is what truly impressed me.
Although the critics do not quite agree with me and the majority of those that have loved the movie, I highly recommend it. There is quite a lot of controversy about the major twist at the end, that it cheats you as an audience member. Here, you have spent the last 90 minutes falling in love with the character for it to end the way it does. Now, I would usually spoil the ending, but this one...you will have to see and experience for yourself. It is so shocking, I wouldn't dare ruin it. But, I firmly believe this uproar from critics and many others leaving the theater angry with the ending is the point of the film. That's the way you are supposed to feel. In fact, without this ending, it would leave you feeling empty. There are no secret intentions from the writer or director. This story is significant to everyone, and all of us have to find our own way to accept it and move on...just as we did after the real event. Life isn't perfect and full of cookie cutter endings. There is no formula or structure. It never ends the way we want it to. That is what this ending was trying to convey, and does so with flying colors.
"Remember Me" may just become one of the most underrated movies of the year.
I will never have a problem remembering this film. I am looking forward not only to the future work of Robert Pattinson after "Twilight", but also the future films of screenwriter Will Fetters. And I have to give major kudos to Summit Entertainment to taking a chance on this script.
There are very few films that follow you home, and resonate with you for days or maybe years to come. This will definitely be one you remember.
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