Who am I? Movie Amnesia
The incidence of amnesia amongst movie characters is far greater than that of the 'real-life' population, but then that goes for murders and crazy scrapes too. If movies are about telling stories - and let’s hope they are - then getting amnesia is a pretty darn good story.
Film Amnesia represents a loss of self; complete collapse of the ego. The character is a naive and vulnerable newborn, learning right from wrong all over again, either for comic ('Finding Nemo') or tragic ('Memento') effect. Consequently some of cinema's most interesting, funny, intriguing, exciting and enchanting stories have started with the proverbial bump on the head. 'Memento', 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', 'A Very Long Engagement' and the brutal, 'The Machinist' spring to recent mind; but what about, 'Paris, Texas', 'Angel Heart', Hitchcock's 'Spellbound', 'The English Patient', 'Robocop' even the 1987 Kurt and Goldie comedy classic, 'Overboard'.
Scroll down and check out some of these unforgettable titles…
Pictured: Ronald Colman tries hard to remember Greer Garson in 'Random Harvest'
Never Give Up (1978)
6.3/10
Director: Junya Sato
Starring: Ken Takakura, Isao Natsuyagi, Ryoko Nakano
Believing he can leave his dangerous life in the special forces behind, Ajisawa (Ken Takakura) abandons his job as a soldier and adopts Yoriko (Hiroko... Read more
The Manchurian Candidate (Blu-ray) (1962)
7.9/10
Director: John Frankenheimer
Starring: Angela Lansbury, Frank Sinatra, Henry Silva, Janet Leigh, Laurence Harvey
One of the finest political thrillers ever made. John Frankenheimer's blend of Cold War paranoia and sly satire stars Laurence Harvey as a former Kore... Read more
Jacob's Ladder (1990)
7.5/10
Director: Adrian Lyne
Starring: Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Pena, Danny Aiello
An original, highly psychological thriller that explores the thin line between reality and illusion. Jacob is a Vietnam veteran who becomes haunted by... Read more
Finding Nemo (2003)
8.1/10
Director: Andrew Stanton, Lee Unkrich
Starring: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Willem Dafoe, Alexander Gould
From the Academy Award-winning creators of 'Toy Story' and 'Monsters, Inc.', it's time to dive into 'Finding Nemo' - an hilarious adventure that takes... Read more
Delta State: Volume 2 (2004)
7.7/10
Director: Pascal David, Wayne Moss
Claire, Luna, Philip and Martin continue their battle against the Rifters on all fronts. They have infiltrated politics, video games, they are influe... Read more
Men in Black II (Blu-ray) (2002)
6.2/10
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Starring: Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Lara Flynn Boyle, Rip Torn, Johnny Knoxville, Rosar...
The black-suited, shades-wearing dynamic duo of Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones are back for more intergalactic fun in this hit sequel. With the Earth'... Read more
Suture (1993)
6.6/10
Director: David Siegel, Scott McGehee
Starring: Mel Harris, Dennis Haysbert, Sab Shimono, Dina Merrill
A unique, creepy, independently produced psychological thriller about Vincent (Michael Harris), suspected of murdering his father, who hatches a schem... Read more
Delta State: Volume 3 (2004)
7.7/10
Director: Pascal David, Wayne Moss
The Rifter apocalypse has begun...the series continues with four more episodes: 'Mind Over Matter'; 'Blast from the Past'; 'Curse of the Undead' and '... Read more
Una Pura Formalita ( A Pure Formality ) (1996)
7.8/10
Director: Giuseppe Tornatore
Starring: Gerard Depardieu, Roman Polanski, Sergio Rubini
Gerard Depardieu plays a man accused of a murder he doesn't remember committing. He and Roman Polanski play a deadly game of deceptions, distortions a... Read more
Memories of Tomorrow (2005)
5.8/10
Director: Amit Tripuraneni
Starring: Richard Thompson, Rachel Gilchrist, Ray Trickitt
The slick look of this debut outing from film student Amit Tripuraneni belies its wing and a prayer NZ$15,000 budget. Cast and crew donated their tim... Read more