Christopher Nolan’s Memento is commonly hailed as top-of-the-line psychological thrillers and greatest films of the 2000s. Regardless of its small funds, this mind-bending, non-linear puzzle grew to become a giant hit. It helped cement Nolan’s status as a director who meticulously crafts cinematic experiences. Additionally, Man Pearce delivers what many take into account a career-defining efficiency as Leonard Shelby, a person with short-term reminiscence loss attempting to unravel the thriller of his spouse’s homicide. However, should you can imagine it, Pearce didn’t like his efficiency and, respectfully, I’ve to disagree massive time.
Man Pearce was requested a few latest comment he made about how a Warner Bros. exec price him the position of Batman in Nolan’s Oscar-winning Darkish Knight Trilogy. In a wild twist of a response, Pearce ended up revealing that he thinks he was horrible in Memento. Chatting with The Sunday Instances, the L.A. Confidential star shared that watching the movie once more for the primary time in years left him reeling—and never in a great way:
I want so as to add one thing. As a result of I’m having an existential disaster. I watched Memento the opposite day and I’m nonetheless depressed. I’m shit in that film. I’d by no means thought that earlier than, however I did this Q&A of Memento earlier this month and determined to really watch the movie once more. However whereas it was enjoying I realised I hate what I did. And so all these items about an exec at Warners being why I’ve not labored with Chris once more? It got here crashing down. I do know why I didn’t work with Chris once more — it’s as a result of I’m no good in Memento.
This revelation is surprising as a result of the Rover actor’s efficiency in Memento is extensively thought to be considered one of his most interesting—and, in my view, nonetheless considered one of Christopher Nolan’s greatest flicks. His efficiency simmers with a mixture of frustration, confusion and emotional detachment that completely matches Leonard’s fractured actuality. The way in which he performs the position makes us really feel simply as misplaced as Leonard, uncertain who to belief or what’s actual.
And but the Prometheus star now finds his personal work unwatchable. He elaborated on precisely what bothers him about his efficiency:
I used to be attempting to do a flippant perspective however it was all flawed. John Gielgud as soon as mentioned, ‘You may be good in a very good film, good in a nasty film, unhealthy in a nasty film, however by no means be unhealthy in a very good film.’ But I watched Memento and realised I’m unhealthy in a very good film. Fuck!
To be clear—he’s saying he was horrible in Memento, a movie that critics and audiences alike have constantly praised for over twenty years. Hey Man, please be type to my buddy Pearce. He’s a nice actor, particularly in Memento.
When requested if he’s ever advised Christopher Nolan about this harsh self-assessment, the Harm Locker alum had a shocking response:
No, as a result of I reckon he’d agree with me. It’s humorous; individuals say I ought to’ve been nominated for Memento. Now I perceive why I wasn’t. Look, I’m happy with LA Confidential, however I take a look at this and go, ‘Oof! Nails on a chalkboard!’ If I reckon my efficiency in Neighbours is 2 out of ten, Memento is a 5 …
Now, maintain on. If Memento is a 5, what does that make most different films? The Inside performer is being means too arduous on himself right here. The concept Nolan—who has incessantly praised the movie and its impression—would secretly agree that Pearce was miscast is fairly arduous to imagine. If something, Nolan’s whole movie hinged on his efficiency working, and it did. So, as harsh as this would possibly sound, the actor’s opinion on the topic is simply off base and ought to be taken with a grain of salt.
Even when the England-born A-lister has come to doubt himself, followers haven’t. Memento stays a defining entry in Nolan’s filmography, and it wouldn’t have labored with out Pearce carrying it so effortlessly. Leonard Shelby is an intensely difficult position—one which required an actor able to enjoying misplaced, weak, harmful, and, at instances, darkly humorous, unexpectedly.
Perhaps the A Christmas Carol star is simply his personal worst critic, or possibly it’s simply a part of being an actor—all the time trying again and seeing issues that might’ve been executed otherwise. However, for these of us who’ve spent years rewatching Memento and marveling on the sheer precision of his efficiency? We bear in mind it otherwise.
If you wish to revisit the film and see why Man Pearce is flawed, you possibly can stream it with a Prime Video subscription. Additionally, try our 2025 film schedule to see what different initiatives the in-demand star has deliberate.