Film Reviews

Remember Me

• Rating:
• Director:
• Starring: Chris Cooper
• Details: US/113mins 12A

Stuffed with countless scenes of Robert Pattinson ponderously looking out of windows, or simply into space, Remember Me gives the Twilight pinup plenty of screentime to impress sans fangs. In fairness to the Englishman, he proves that he can churn out a good performance, even if his role here is more angsty than a million Edward Cullen's crying over spilt milk. Solid performances from him, Pierce Brosnan and Emile De Ravin aside, this will most likely be remembered for one of the most jarringly atrocious endings in recent memory.
Pattinson is Tyler Hawkins, a student with a deeply troubled relationship with his father, played by Brosnan. His brother committed suicide on his 22nd birthday, and the family never really got over his death. When Tyler interferes with a street brawl, trying to help someone who was attacked, he feels the wrath of Chris Cooper's NYPD cop, whilst attempting to clarify who was involved. After his roommate informs him that said policeman's daughter goes to their college, he asks her out, initially as a way of getting back at him, but soon finds himself falling in love with her.
Although lacking in real focus, there are still plenty of interesting characters here to explore, and even more interesting actors playing them. Director Coulter is known for his ability to direct actors, on TV as well as film, but the storyline here doesn't really call for a lot of anything other than moping, followed by quiet self pity. Pattinson does show a lot of potential - this is a role Jake Gyllenhaal would've played a few years ago - and with the right direction, he could easily become a post-Twilight Hollywood stalwart.
Although obviously flawed, there are moments in here that really do work well; they're just assembled in such a muddled, emotionally flat way it's difficult to connect with the characters. And being that this is firmly a character driven drama, that was surely the point.
As for that ending, the films setting will give you an inkling of something; but it still feels utterly ridiculous when it happens. Up until that point, this is just about watchable, but after the credits roll, you'll be leaving the cinema with a bad taste in your mouth.

Review by Mike Sheridan