It’s something we generally assume: our memories are reliable records of what happened. But what if they aren't? What occurs when outside factors affect those recollections, making them potentially flawed and unreliable? Is it possible to truly depend on how we remember things then? These kinds of questions surface in the unusual new romantic thriller from writer-director Michel Franco. The story centers around Sylvia, a woman dealing with alcoholism and a difficult history (played by Jessica Chastain), who finds herself unexpectedly—and disturbingly—followed home after a high school reunion by someone claiming to be an old classmate, Saul (Peter Sarsgaard). She believes he sexually assaulted her years ago. She's concerned about this situation and questions his intentions, which he himself can’t quite explain, particularly when it’s discovered that he has dementia. And as another unexpected development, Sylvia's memory of their supposed past encounter is unclear, a fact that isn’t entirely shocking given what she’s been through. This discovery alters the dynamic completely, and a new connection forms between them, especially as they begin to assist each other in understanding their individual histories and starting to heal. This involves bringing to light additional details and leaving some uncertainties unresolved, all presented via a carefully constructed story and enhanced by excellent performances from Sarsgaard and Chastain, who earned an Independent Spirit Award nomination. The movie’s initial portion could probably be improved with a faster tempo; certain scenes feel repetitive and somewhat tedious. However, the suspense and viewer involvement increase considerably in the latter part of the film, compensating for much of the slow pace at the beginning. Surprisingly, this is achieved through careful attention to detail and subtlety, qualities the filmmaker uses far more effectively later on than earlier, where they’re almost hidden by a general lack of expressiveness. It's definitely one of those films that requires patience from its audience, but the rewards are worthwhile in the long run. Ultimately, “Memory” offers a new viewpoint on its central idea while demonstrating how similar experiences can help each other through a psychological therapeutic process, which can lead to significant benefits.

Source on TMDB