"See, I Have this Condition..."
This is one of the most difficult drinking games I have made to date.
The rules are pretty standard. The game is difficult because in order to enjoy this movie, you have to pay close attention to EVERYthing said.
Memento launched Christopher Nolan's career, and as a first major hit, it's fantastic. Its compelling story, small but mighty main cast, tight plotting and all around sense of creepy make it an incredible piece of film. However, all of the elements that make it a wonderful movie make it a...challenging film to drink to. By the time you get to the end, you might not remember enough to be shocked by the thrilling twists and turns the film throws at you.
While this does put you in good company with our hero, it's not company you should share on a first viewing. This game is a brain teaser, as well as a timed relay. How far can you get into the movie playing this game before it stops making sense?
The rules are pretty standard. The game is difficult because in order to enjoy this movie, you have to pay close attention to EVERYthing said.
Memento launched Christopher Nolan's career, and as a first major hit, it's fantastic. Its compelling story, small but mighty main cast, tight plotting and all around sense of creepy make it an incredible piece of film. However, all of the elements that make it a wonderful movie make it a...challenging film to drink to. By the time you get to the end, you might not remember enough to be shocked by the thrilling twists and turns the film throws at you.
While this does put you in good company with our hero, it's not company you should share on a first viewing. This game is a brain teaser, as well as a timed relay. How far can you get into the movie playing this game before it stops making sense?
"(I Destroyed my Favorite) Memento (While I was Drunk): The Rules
In my experience, there's only one kind of liquor that will reliably take you to a state of forgetfulness quicker than you can say "My wife is dead". Say it with me now...
DRINK UP
The cheaper the tequila, the better.
Easy Mode
1. Drink for Title Drops.
2. Drink when they drink.
3. Drink for Daddy Issues
4. Drink when Lenny tattoos himself or writes himself a note.
5. Drink when Teddy appears. Because he is a frightening man.
6. Drink at the beginning of every black-and-white scene.
Medium Mode
All of the above rules apply. Also...
1. Drink when Lenny mentions his wife.
2. Drink whenever Lenny takes a picture of something.
Hard Mode
All of the above rules apply. Also...
1. Drink whenever the movie takes a leap backwards in time. So basically at the beginning of any scene that's not black-and-white.
2. Drink whenever Lenny, with his condition, places himself in a potentially dangerous situation.
Easy Mode
1. Drink for Title Drops.
2. Drink when they drink.
3. Drink for Daddy Issues
4. Drink when Lenny tattoos himself or writes himself a note.
5. Drink when Teddy appears. Because he is a frightening man.
6. Drink at the beginning of every black-and-white scene.
Medium Mode
All of the above rules apply. Also...
1. Drink when Lenny mentions his wife.
2. Drink whenever Lenny takes a picture of something.
Hard Mode
All of the above rules apply. Also...
1. Drink whenever the movie takes a leap backwards in time. So basically at the beginning of any scene that's not black-and-white.
2. Drink whenever Lenny, with his condition, places himself in a potentially dangerous situation.
Like repeatedly visiting an abandoned building where drug deals are known to take place. By himself.
The Players
Our onscreen players for this game are Krissy (me), Big Moose, and Daku. We tested our short-term memories by playing a matching game.
Our offscreen players are...
Some Guy: Rates this movie ten out of ten (Easy)
Shirley Whiskas: Thinks Lenny's wife would have left him anyway (Hard)
Flux: Thought this movie was very straightforward. (Hard)
This movie subverted my formulas about as well as it subverted traditional narrative. Join us in the Memento drinking game!
Some Guy: Rates this movie ten out of ten (Easy)
Shirley Whiskas: Thinks Lenny's wife would have left him anyway (Hard)
Flux: Thought this movie was very straightforward. (Hard)
This movie subverted my formulas about as well as it subverted traditional narrative. Join us in the Memento drinking game!
Beginning with the Ending
For those unfamiliar with the film, the narrative is told in reverse: the final scene chronologically is the first scene shown to the audience. We are taken back with our main character in small increments to uncover crucial bits of evidence that he has missed in his search for his wife's killer, as well as to see for ourselves how he is being deceived by himself and others. The final scene of the movie drops a bomb that colors the rest of the film (which is why watching the special edition of the film told in chronological order is a bit disappointing).
Our group of players was split right down the middle in terms of who had seen the movie before and who had not. So in order to preserve the final twist for the uninitiated, I devised a special rule:
If a person watching the movie spoils the ending, they must finish their drink. If a person who has not seen the movie guesses the ending, everyone must take three drinks.
This rule managed to keep all of us in the present, focused on what unfolded in front of us as it happened instead of trying to tie it all together. However, when the ending finally came, I realized (to the movie's credit) exactly how difficult it is to guess. There are actually several bits of truth that make the final scene so breathtaking, and guessing out one aspect of the whole is futile. Even if you're right, it doesn't mean much out of context.
I'm attempting to veil any kind of spoilers in this article (although, this movie came out thirteen years ago. Go watch it, already). I will say that while this rule didn't come into play for us, it's a good rule to use for any landmark movie you want to play a drinking game for. Say you have a friend who for some reason does not know the twist of "The Sixth Sense." If you're willing to take the hit early on and spoil the ending for that soul, this gives you a head start on the road to drunkville. Or, if you're watching a movie with a particularly predictable ending, you could guess it and give everyone an extra couple drinks. The choice, my friends, is yours.
Our group of players was split right down the middle in terms of who had seen the movie before and who had not. So in order to preserve the final twist for the uninitiated, I devised a special rule:
If a person watching the movie spoils the ending, they must finish their drink. If a person who has not seen the movie guesses the ending, everyone must take three drinks.
This rule managed to keep all of us in the present, focused on what unfolded in front of us as it happened instead of trying to tie it all together. However, when the ending finally came, I realized (to the movie's credit) exactly how difficult it is to guess. There are actually several bits of truth that make the final scene so breathtaking, and guessing out one aspect of the whole is futile. Even if you're right, it doesn't mean much out of context.
I'm attempting to veil any kind of spoilers in this article (although, this movie came out thirteen years ago. Go watch it, already). I will say that while this rule didn't come into play for us, it's a good rule to use for any landmark movie you want to play a drinking game for. Say you have a friend who for some reason does not know the twist of "The Sixth Sense." If you're willing to take the hit early on and spoil the ending for that soul, this gives you a head start on the road to drunkville. Or, if you're watching a movie with a particularly predictable ending, you could guess it and give everyone an extra couple drinks. The choice, my friends, is yours.
Also, note to self: make a Sixth Sense drinking game.
Our Big Three
One more thing I will say about this movie is that it came SO CLOSE to not using any of our three base rules.
I had seen the movie before. I was sure this was true. Daddy has no presence at all in this movie, and the title, "Memento", is never said out loud, as it is a thematic title that doesn't have to do with any specific plot point.
Unfortunately, about half an hour into the movie, Guy Pearce offers Carrie-Anne Moss a drink of water, and she takes it. And so my hopes were dashed.
I had seen the movie before. I was sure this was true. Daddy has no presence at all in this movie, and the title, "Memento", is never said out loud, as it is a thematic title that doesn't have to do with any specific plot point.
Unfortunately, about half an hour into the movie, Guy Pearce offers Carrie-Anne Moss a drink of water, and she takes it. And so my hopes were dashed.
STUPID BITCH, YOU RUINED EVERYTHING
Natalie is also a bartender, and there's one scene later on in the movie in which she tests Lenny's short-term memory by offering him a pint of beer with her spit in it. He drinks it, therefore confirming that he did not remember her spitting into the cup. So, y'know, rule is broken whether you drink for alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks.
I am SO disappointed. If anybody knows a movie or television show that doesn't use any of our base three rules, please tell me. I'm dying to hear about it.
I am SO disappointed. If anybody knows a movie or television show that doesn't use any of our base three rules, please tell me. I'm dying to hear about it.
The Audience is Listening
For the first half hour of this movie, we were all quieter than we've been during one of our games. We were paying attention to the film, the information we were given, learning how to interpret the signs and follow our lead down the rabbit hole. Eventually, our tongues loosened, we got into a groove, and we followed along.
The film, for the most part, assumes that our audience is intelligent, and can follow the throughline of the movie, screwy as it may be, as well as can be expected. Which is why I was baffled by one particular choice the movie made:
The damn voiceovers.
"I find them adorable," said Big Moose once I expressed my distaste.
"But I do wish we could toggle them on and off," Flux added.
I guess my main problem with the voiceovers is that they're not consistent. The ones I have an issue with are the ones that are directed towards himself. Very occasionally, Guy Pearce's voice will sound out while the words he is speaking are very clearly written on screen. This kind of self-explanation takes it from a classic noir technique to a somewhat clumsy method of clarification.
The film, for the most part, assumes that our audience is intelligent, and can follow the throughline of the movie, screwy as it may be, as well as can be expected. Which is why I was baffled by one particular choice the movie made:
The damn voiceovers.
"I find them adorable," said Big Moose once I expressed my distaste.
"But I do wish we could toggle them on and off," Flux added.
I guess my main problem with the voiceovers is that they're not consistent. The ones I have an issue with are the ones that are directed towards himself. Very occasionally, Guy Pearce's voice will sound out while the words he is speaking are very clearly written on screen. This kind of self-explanation takes it from a classic noir technique to a somewhat clumsy method of clarification.
When in fact the stuff being clarified is the simplest part of the film.
I don't know. Maybe I'm being picky. But I feel like the introduction of the voiceover dilutes the narrative power the film already has. Some beautiful stuff gets said (mostly during that all important ending), but ultimately it doesn't add or take away from the story. It only serves to distract.
Some Guy pointed out that one of the cool things about this movie is that there is no reliable narrator. The voiceover masks that, and gives Leonard a little more authority than he actually deserves to have.
Some Guy pointed out that one of the cool things about this movie is that there is no reliable narrator. The voiceover masks that, and gives Leonard a little more authority than he actually deserves to have.
Take-Aways
This movie would have fallen apart if it were not for two things: the dead-on performances of the actors, and the sense of immediacy conveyed by the direction.
Leonard is living in perpetual hell. Every fifteen minutes or so, he is hauled back to just after his wife's brutal murder and forced to recollect all the "facts" he has gathered to aid his revenge plot so far. Sometimes this is exploited for comedy, like when he "awakes" with a bottle of booze in his hand, or next to a woman in bed.
Leonard is living in perpetual hell. Every fifteen minutes or so, he is hauled back to just after his wife's brutal murder and forced to recollect all the "facts" he has gathered to aid his revenge plot so far. Sometimes this is exploited for comedy, like when he "awakes" with a bottle of booze in his hand, or next to a woman in bed.
"She's been dead for fifteen minutes and you hook up with someone else? Come on, man." - Shirley Whiskas
Think about that for a second. How long does it take you to collect yourself after a night of being black-out drunk? Or after waking up from an unconscious state? And how often do you wake up to traumatic details of your life previously unknown to you tattooed on your body? And when that does happen, how long does it take us to remember how to deal?
We do not like Leonard. In fact, we like Leonard less and less as the film goes on. He's an asshole. But we can't help but admire him. Several times an hour, he is faced with the news that his wife is dead and he is searching for her killer. He has to trust his own handwriting, but more importantly, he has to act fast, because every second he waits is one second closer to forgetting everything. He never stalls. He rarely wallows in his emotions. He is the definition of an active protagonist.
Of course, we the audience know that very few true things are said either by Leonard or to Leonard, but Leonard is going on faith alone. He believes himself to be trustworthy, so he follows his own advice. Guy Pearce manages to put across the innocence of short-term memory loss coupled with the cold certainty of a man who has never doubted himself for an instant.
Which of course makes the ENDING...
Jesus Christ, please watch this movie already, you're killing me with your ignorance.
We do not like Leonard. In fact, we like Leonard less and less as the film goes on. He's an asshole. But we can't help but admire him. Several times an hour, he is faced with the news that his wife is dead and he is searching for her killer. He has to trust his own handwriting, but more importantly, he has to act fast, because every second he waits is one second closer to forgetting everything. He never stalls. He rarely wallows in his emotions. He is the definition of an active protagonist.
Of course, we the audience know that very few true things are said either by Leonard or to Leonard, but Leonard is going on faith alone. He believes himself to be trustworthy, so he follows his own advice. Guy Pearce manages to put across the innocence of short-term memory loss coupled with the cold certainty of a man who has never doubted himself for an instant.
Which of course makes the ENDING...
Jesus Christ, please watch this movie already, you're killing me with your ignorance.
The Results
After the movie, we played the memory game again. Results definitely varied.
The hardest version of this game is very nice. It'll get you exactly where you need to go. But it should be the medium version of this game, because Easy players barely got buzzed. Here are some extra rules to add to your game.
Drink whenever Guy Pearce has his shirt off.
"It's like it's in his contract," Flux marveled. On our count, Leonard was shirtless more often than not. Which in turn made me question who the movie's target audience was.
Drink whenever Leonard mentions Sammy Jankis.
As Teddy likes to point out, Leonard likes to mention good ol' Sammy Jankis whenever he gets the chance. Drink for impending doom.
Drink for physical violence.
As is the case with most revenge plots, a lot of people get hurt. But all the same, alcohol disinfects most wounds.
Thanks again for joining us! Next week we're tackling a television classic. Finally, something that won't be creepy or depressing for a change.
Drink whenever Guy Pearce has his shirt off.
"It's like it's in his contract," Flux marveled. On our count, Leonard was shirtless more often than not. Which in turn made me question who the movie's target audience was.
Drink whenever Leonard mentions Sammy Jankis.
As Teddy likes to point out, Leonard likes to mention good ol' Sammy Jankis whenever he gets the chance. Drink for impending doom.
Drink for physical violence.
As is the case with most revenge plots, a lot of people get hurt. But all the same, alcohol disinfects most wounds.
Thanks again for joining us! Next week we're tackling a television classic. Finally, something that won't be creepy or depressing for a change.
At least, not on the surface.
Like what you see? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, at For Your Inebriation and @KrissyPappau respectively. You'll get weekly updates, behind the scenes drunk talk, and other chatter!
For Your Inebriation is written by Krissy Pappau (Hollis Beck). Video footage is taken by Pooh Daddy (Vincent Graham) and edited by Seb (Amy Yourd). All "Memento" images are owned by NewMarket Films and Columbia TriStar Productions.
For Your Inebriation is written by Krissy Pappau (Hollis Beck). Video footage is taken by Pooh Daddy (Vincent Graham) and edited by Seb (Amy Yourd). All "Memento" images are owned by NewMarket Films and Columbia TriStar Productions.
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