Remember Me is an unforgettable story about the power of love, the strength of family, and the importance of living passionately and treasuring every day of one's life.
As far as I have been able to see so far, this film has been completely misjudged and misrepresented in the official film-critic reviews I have read of it, and also the film's trailer. It seems to have been sold as a romantic drama, or a love film with a twist; however I think either of these statements massively undersell the telling of, what I believe, is a very important and worthwhile story.
Robert Pattinson is described as playing a brooding young man, struggling to deal with what life has thrown at him. I would have to disagree. It appears to me that the character of Tyler Hawkins is actually extremely well developed to the point that perhaps he is the most sorted out/well adjusted character in the whole film. He is, however, idealistic, but in a very genuine, humble and slightly frustrated/desperate way. He has a clear view of the world and the respective roles he believes people should play as part of their contribution to this life - be that son, brother, boyfriend; or cop, father, sister, best friend, mother etc. He is emotionally savvy - and this creates an excellent polarity with Pierce Brosnan's deft portrayal of an emotionally removed/distant character. Their relationship perfectly demonstrates the wide differences between people's personal battles with grief - and life.
All the relationships portrayed in this film are utterly genuine, and the characters are incredibly easy to buy-in to as regular people. This is perhaps one of the most magical aspects of the film and down to a combination of the beautiful and sensitive direction, script and acting. This film, essentially, manages to capture real life - in that it is funny, passionate, scary, mundane and, at times, shocking. This is a story about real people and real lives - in that isn't the real magic in life from the most ordinary stories?
In addition to the people mentioned above, particular mention also has to be given to the stunning chemistry between Robert Pattinson and his on screen sister, the mesmerising and astute, Ruby Jerins. Also, the development of a very natural and warm relationship that exudes between Emilie de Ravin and Robert Pattinson; and the portrayal of the best friend character by Tate Ellington. Robert Pattinson delivers an impressive performance throughout, that shows a great depth of understanding and identification with his characters life story.
Finally the story itself is important. It is a story that needs to be told - because it is about ordinary, everyday people dealing with ordinary, everyday problems. And the impact of dealing with what life throws at us - even when it is extraordinary to the extreme.
If you buy-in to the characters, let yourself be taken along with their story in the same way that you let your life unfold for itself - without second guessing who the baddy is, or what connections you can see coming - the true messages this film has to offer on a great many levels, will undoubtedly resonate strongly with you. This story offers an important social commentary, with a key message that life is beautiful - and that the most difficult challenges we face serve to show us the true beauty of life and to offer us hope.
But, take the film on face value and you'll probably be left with more unanswered questions that pearls of wisdom. As Tyler's friend says in the film, I think this film is about "what people put into people" - and that is ultimately what life is about.
Tyler (Robert Pattinson) is grieving for his elder brother who has killed himself. At 21 Tyler is: floundering around college unsure what direction to take in life; very focused on his younger sister who is a talented artist; and very angry with his father (Pierce Brosnan) who continually avoids any family responsibilities by hiding behind a busy work schedule as MD for a New York Corporation. Apart from getting Tyler out of scrapes with the law, which suspiciously appears to be attention seeking behaviour, Tyler and his father only really meet when his father has to pay the bail out money. However, Tyler is also very concerned about his father's apparent indifference to his little sister and this fizzes inside him like a corked bottle of soda. In the summer of 2001Tylers loneliness begins to subside when he meets Ally (Emilie De Ravin), who herself has experienced the worst kind of loss imaginable, and they have a passionate love affair.
My daughter suggested I watch this film after she saw it with a group of 17 year old girls and boys. Not being attracted to the demure dark silent and enigmatic type my first thought was.... oh no...Not another Robert Pattinson chick flick. My daughter said the film had provoked a really interesting and poignant conversation about family difficulties afterwards, and now having seen it I can really see why. Remember me is really very enjoyable and thought provoking; there are no vampires and werewolves and the love interest is not a mindless drip with nothing better to do than hang around moping. Sorry if you are a Twilight fan...I am told that Bella is nothing like her screen character in the books.
This is a rousing story of love on many levels. Tyler and Ally are both very compelling characters, individually strong and charismatic in their own right, both fiercely independent but utterly vulnerable. The narrative portrays their growing erotic love for each other and is contrasted beautifully with familial love; the pains and disappointments of both types of love are developed in a convincing and engaging manner.
Robert Pattinson develops his character well and Chris Cooper is convincing as Ally's overprotective father. Emilie De Ravin is stunning as Ally but more of her character could have been developed with further script writing. The only performance I would criticize, and perhaps unfairly is Pierce Brosnan, who appears a little wooden at times. One of the boardroom scenes where Tyler is trying to convince his father that seeing his sisters art exhibition is more important than his business is brilliant in one sense because the rest of the characters in the room really do come across as uncomfortable with the scene they are witnessing, but I thought Brosnan's character incongruent. In fairness, we don't get to see his vantage point leaving Brosnan with little to play with. The ending is one that the film does not quite prepare you for, but is revealed in a sensitive and undramatic manner with its sentiment staying with you after the film has ended.
Please note that this film has been categorized as a war film - I am not really sure why?
Verdict
A really good story about the facets of love and the emotional affects of loss -
We will publish your review of Remember Me on DVD within a few days as long as it meets our guidelines.
None of your personal details will be passed on to any other third party.
Please note this is a region 2 DVD and will require a region 2 (Europe) or region Free DVD Player in order to play. Tyler (Robert Pattinson, Twilight), a rebellious young man, meets Ally (Emilie de Ravin, Lost) through a twist of fate. Her spirit helps him heal after a family tragedy, though soon the circumstances that brought them together threaten to tear them apart. An unforgettable love story, Remember Me is directed by Allen Coulter (Hollywoodland) and also stars Pierce Brosnan, Academy Award winner Chris Cooper (Adaptation) and Academy Award nominee Lena Olin (Chocolat) Actors Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Pierce Brosnan, Chris Cooper, Martha Plimpton, Lena Olin, Peyton List, Ruby Jerins & Meghan Markle Director Allen Coulter Certificate 12 years and over Year 2010 Screen Widescreen 1.85:1 Languages English Duration 1 hour and 53 minutes (approx)
Romantic drama starring Robert Pattinson and Emilie de Ravin. Tyler (Pattinson), a student at NYU, has had a strained relationship with his father (Pierce Brosnan) since his brother's recent suicide tore the family apart. When he meets fellow student Ally (de Ravin), who has also undergone a family bereavement, he finally begins to find happiness and meaning in his life. However, the young couple's budding relationship is overshadowed not only by the strain of these past losses, but by the protective instincts of Ally's police officer father, Neil (Chris Cooper), who sees the rebellious Tyler as a good-for-nothing troublemaker.
This site uses cookies.
More details in our privacy policy
