Title – Memory (2023)
Director – Michel Franco (Sundown)
Cast – Jessica Chastain, Peter Sarsgaard
Plot – Recovering alcoholic Sylvia (Chastain) takes up a new job caring for the dementia suffering Saul (Sarsgaard) who use to attend the same high school. As the past and present merge, Sylvia’s past traumas begin to become more present and shape her life.
“Why’d you follow me home from the party?”
Review by Eddie on 12/03/2025
An undeniably heavy drama that shares more in common with a stage play rather than a stereotypical feature film, Michel Franco’s Memory isn’t an easy watch and suffers from various narrative flaws but thanks to its lead duo Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard, this weighty feature is still worth a look.
Failing to make much of a mark on initial release despite a spattering of glowing reviews and award nominations in notable areas such as the Venice Film Festival and the Independent Spirit Awards, Memory has faded from its titular title in most people’s minds but as a reminder of the impact two on-song performers can have on a production of small or large scales, Memory is a wonderful showcase for such abilities.
Centred around Chastain’s recovering alcoholic Sylvia and her dealings with the dementia suffering Saul (a typical solid Sarsgaard), who happened to attend the same high school she did in her traumatic teenagerhood, Memory takes its time to unwrap its true narrative movements and its intentions and while not all of its groundwork is paid off with to the level we would have liked, when Franco’s film hits it hits hard and this is due almost entirely to the raw and powerful performances of its leads.
While they are ably supported by the likes of Merritt Wever, Josh Charles and Elsie Fisher, Memory really is the Chastain and Sarsgaard show and their ability to work off one another and draw out varied emotions and realistic back and forwards is what drives this film to the level it gets to as much of Franco’s film is otherwise unspectacular, while perhaps by design with everything being so minimalistic and non-cinematic, and therefore not that memorable in the grand scheme of similar themed dramas.
One’s enjoyment of Memory is likely going to come down to their tolerance for such heavy material with Memory not afraid to delve into some dark territory that may be too confronting for some and for viewers enjoyment levels getting to witness two talented performers ply their trade, this isn’t crowd-pleasing stuff but there’s moments of gold found in the rough here that make Franco’s film one worth the time.
Final Say –
Best viewed with little foresight into its narrative steps, Memory is a fine acting showcase for its two leads even if what goes on around them isn’t always able to match their skilled and powerful work.
3 bathtubs out of 5
Jordan and Eddie (The Movie Guys) 
This came up and I thought, hey I’ve seen this! I do remember the basic premise – & am fine with this type of stuff – but mainly those lead two performances, great talents.
Amazing talents. It would be the type of production that would have been amazing as a stage play too. It was close at times to being something really special but never quite stuck the landing.
E
I recently heard Conan O’Brien say how it takes a lot of talented people working really hard to make a shitty movie. That is yo say you never know what will connect with the audience. On top of that the movie is often made in the editing booth and that’s how we get those ‘it almost sticks the landing’ type of results.
Absolutely. A lot of chefs are required in the kitchen to get the movie meal right. Sometimes the stars just align.
E
Jessica is a beautiful inside and out actress but even more so an interesting person, so I’m willing to give a chance any movie she’s been a part of.
She’s amazing in this mate, we do somewhat just expect it from her but it’s an awards worthy turn.
E