Rememory 2017
Directed by
Mark Palansky
Made by
Lionsgate Premiere
Plot Summary
Sam Bloom, known by multiple names including Peter and Sam, embarks on a journey driven by his curiosity about a psychologist, Gordon Dunn, who is pioneering a groundbreaking technology that captures human memories for viewing, much like a film—untainted by personal perceptions. For Sam, this device holds a crucial key: he longs to revisit his brother’s final words.
As the story unfolds, we witness a poignant flashback where Sam’s brother, a successful rock star, visits him, but their reunion takes a tragic turn during a night out at a local bar. Their joy is shattered when a car accident occurs, and Sam finds himself behind the wheel. The details of the incident are murky, typical of such tragedies, complicated by the involvement of another vehicle.
In a twist of fate, while awaiting assistance from Dunn, Sam becomes embroiled in a mystery when the psychologist is murdered inside his own office. This shocking event thrusts Sam into the role of an amateur detective, driven by a mix of grief and determination to uncover the truth behind Dunn’s death. Utilizing his unique skills, Sam constructs intricate scale models and figurines representing the key players in the unfolding drama—primarily the patients involved in the device’s testing and the personnel at the manufacturing company.
His investigation leads him to a tenuous friendship with Carolyn, Dunn’s wife, with whom he shares a web of deception by stealing the memory device from Dunn’s home office. With the device in hand, he explores the stored memories of the test subjects to uncover hidden clues. His quest for answers brings him to Todd, a test patient who was with Dunn during his final moments. In a desperate attempt to extract valuable insights, Sam persuades Todd to wear the device and document his memories of that fateful meeting.
In a haunting twist, Sam’s use of the device triggers hallucinations of his deceased brother, blurring the lines between past and present for both him and the test subjects. As they grapple with their own experiences, one subject succumbs to despair and takes his life, leaving an indelible scar on the narrative. Meanwhile, another subject—Wendy—had a clandestine affair with Dunn and is revealed to have been the last person to visit him.
In his pursuit of clarity, Sam collaborates with Carolyn, who is privy to the affair, to confront Wendy and extract valuable memories. Their confrontation leads to a poignant moment where they learn that Dunn had been dead before Wendy entered his office, raising further questions about the truth behind his demise.
As the layers of mystery unravel, Carolyn discovers heartbreaking memories of her husband—ones that reveal he had tried to eliminate painful recollections from his mind, ultimately leading to his demise. In an emotional gesture, she finds solace by placing Dunn’s memory disc in a bottle to cast into the ocean, a metaphorical message of love and loss.
In a moment of shared grief, Sam offers Carolyn his own memory disc, one that contains the entire tragic recollection of the car accident—the moment that shattered countless lives. It becomes clear that Sam’s brother was not the only casualty, for at that tragic juncture, Carolyn, Dunn, and their daughter suffered their own fate, intertwined with Sam’s guilt.
Carolyn, understanding the weight of Sam’s memories, accepts the disc but chooses to add it to the bottle destined for the sea, recognizing the closure it brings while acknowledging her connection to Sam and their shared tragedy.
Timeline
Sam's Curiosity
Sam Bloom embarks on a quest spurred by his fascination with psychologist Gordon Dunn, who has developed a revolutionary device for capturing human memories. For Sam, this technology represents a chance to glimpse the final words of his brother, a longing that propels him forward in his journey.
Reunion with Brother
In a poignant flashback, Sam joyfully reunites with his brother, a successful rock star. Their night out at a local bar takes a tragic turn when a car accident occurs, leading to a disjointed sequence of events that will haunt Sam for years to come.
The Tragic Accident
During the night out, Sam finds himself behind the wheel during the accident, but the details of the incident remain murky. This tragedy complicates Sam's life and adds layers of grief and guilt as he reflects on the moments leading up to the crash.
Dunn's Murder
While he seeks help from psychologist Gordon Dunn, Sam's life takes another unexpected turn when he discovers Dunn murdered in his office. This shocking event thrusts Sam into the role of an amateur detective, igniting his pursuit for the truth against a backdrop of grief and confusion.
Becoming an Amateur Detective
Motivated by Dunn's demise, Sam delves into an investigation, utilizing his skills in creating detailed scale models that represent the key players in the mystery. His relentless pursuit leads him down a path filled with deception and unformed connections.
The Friendship with Carolyn
During his investigation, Sam forms a tenuous friendship with Carolyn, Dunn's wife, as they navigate through layers of deceit. Together, they break into Dunn's home to access the memory device, setting off a chain of events that will test their resolve and uncover deep secrets.
Exploring Memories
Sam uses the memory device to explore the stored recollections of Dunn's test subjects. This journey pulls him further into unsettling discoveries, revealing hidden truths about Dunn's life and the web of people surrounding him.
Interrogating Todd
Sam convinces Todd, a test patient, to wear the memory device to document his recollections of Dunn's final moments. This desperate attempt to gain insights into Dunn's mysterious death reveals unexpected connections between the characters involved.
Hallucinations and Despair
As Sam engages with the memory device, he begins to experience haunting visions of his deceased brother, blurring lines between past and present. This emotional turmoil escalates when one of the test subjects succumbs to despair, marking a tragic moment in the unfolding narrative.
Wendy's Affair
Sam and Carolyn discover that Wendy, another test subject, had a secret affair with Dunn. Their pursuit leads to bitter revelations about Dunn's life, including the fact that he was already deceased before Wendy's visit, complicating the mystery further.
Confronting the Truth
Sam and Carolyn confront Wendy to extract more valuable memories, leading to a poignant moment of revelation. They uncover the unsettling fact that Dunn's memory was tainted and involved in a convoluted web of lies and personal tragedies.
Carolyn's Heartbreak
Carolyn stumbles upon painful memories of her husband, revealing his struggle to erase painful recollections, which ultimately contributed to his tragic end. This discovery becomes a haunting reminder of their shared pain and loss.
Emotional Closure
In an act of compassion, Carolyn places Dunn's memory disc in a bottle and casts it into the ocean, signifying her need for closure. This symbolic gesture reflects her love and loss, linking her emotional state with Sam's guilt over his brother's death.
Sam's Sacrifice
Sam, recognizing the burden of his memories, offers Carolyn his own memory disc containing the recollection of the tragic car accident. This moment highlights their shared grief and deepens their bond as they acknowledge the broader implications of their losses.
Connection and Understanding
Carolyn accepts Sam's memory disc, choosing to add it to the bottle headed for the sea. This shared understanding of their intertwined fates brings a moment of connection, as they both seek healing from the grief that has bound their lives together.
Characters
Sam Bloom (Peter Dinklage)
Sam Bloom is a deeply introspective character driven by curiosity and the desire to reconnect with his deceased brother's memories. His transformation into an amateur detective highlights his resilience and determination to uncover the truth, yet he is haunted by guilt over past events.
Gordon Dunn (Martin Donovan)
Gordon Dunn, a psychologist, is at the center of the film's mystery. His pioneering work with memory technology offers a glimpse into the complexities of human experience, while his untimely death raises questions about his relationships and the emotional scars left behind.
Carolyn Dunn (Julia Ormond)
Carolyn Dunn is a woman caught in the web of her husband's secrets. As she navigates her grief and finds solace in shared memories with Sam, her character reflects the pain of loss and the struggle to find closure amidst turmoil.
Todd (Anton Yelchin)
Todd is a test patient who becomes a crucial part of Sam's investigation. His experiences and memories related to Dunn's final moments offer valuable insights but also expose the emotional toll of confronting painful recollections.
Setting
Time period
The movie unfolds in a contemporary setting, reflecting modern technological advancements that allow memory recollection and exploration. The character dynamics and emotional struggles resonate with current societal themes of grief and loss.
Location
local bar, Gordon Dunn's office
The local bar serves as a backdrop for pivotal moments between Sam and his brother, showcasing a vibrant atmosphere overshadowed by tragedy. Gordon Dunn's office, a significant location, becomes a site of mystery and tension, where key events unfold, including his murder that propels Sam into detective work.
Themes
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Memory
Memory plays a central role in the narrative, driving Sam's quest to revisit the past and understand the truth behind the tragedy that impacted his life. The exploration of memories reveals deeper connections and the complexities of human relationships, emphasizing how memories shape our identity.
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Mystery
The unfolding mystery surrounding Gordon Dunn's murder creates a gripping atmosphere, plunging Sam into the role of an amateur detective. As he uses the memory device to piece together the narrative, the story explores themes of truth, deception, and the lengths one will go to uncover the past.
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Grief
Grief is an underlying theme that permeates the film, as characters grapple with the loss of loved ones and unresolved emotional pain. Sam's journey is not just about uncovering the truth but also about confronting his own guilt and finding catharsis through shared experiences of sorrow.
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