Memory (2022) Briarcliff/Action-Thriller RT: 114 minutes Rated R (violence, some bloody images, language throughout) Director: Martin Campbell Screenplay: Dario Scardapane Music: Rupert Parkes Cinematography: David Tattersall Release date: April 29, 2022 (US) Cast: Liam Neeson, Guy Pearce, Monica Bellucci, Taj Atwal, Ray Fearon, Ray Stevenson, Harold Torres, Stella Stocker, Mia Sanchez, Lee Boardman, Daniel De Bourg, Natalie Anderson, Josh Taylor, Scot Williams, Rebecca Calder, Antonio Jaramillo, Atanas Srebrev, Sigal Diamant, Kate Nichols, Doug Rao, Louis Mandylor. Box Office: $7.3M (US)/$14M (World)
Rating: ***
Just mere months after Blacklight, Liam Neeson is back at multiplexes in Memory playing the kind of role he’s become synonymous with since starring in the surprise hit Taken way back in ’09. He plays Alex Lewis, a hired killer who becomes a target himself after refusing to carry out an assignment that conflicts with his principles. In an added twist, his mind is rapidly deteriorating due to Alzheimer’s. He struggles to remain cognizant while using his special set of skills to right a terrible wrong.
Alex, aware of his condition, is ready to call it quits. He’s ready to leave his life of violence behind, but a colleague convinces him to do one last job. It sounds easy enough; two targets and the recovery of some flash drives. He carries out the first hit with no problem. The second is a big problem. It’s a 13YO girl (Sanchez) recently rescued from a sex trafficking ring by FBI agents. He doesn’t kill children, so he walks away. He holds onto the drives for insurance.
This doesn’t go over well with the person who ordered the hit. That would be Davana Sealman (Bellucci, The Matrix Reloaded), a rich and powerful real estate developer with a personal interest in permanently silencing the girl. Somebody else finishes the job. Alex sees it on the news and freaks. Realizing he’s next on the list, he goes on the offensive and starts killing everybody involved. At the same time, he’s being pursued by FBI task force leader Vincent Serra (Pearce, L.A. Confidential) who feels guilty about failing to keep his young witness safe.
Directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale), Memory is a remake of the 2003 Belgian crime drama The Memory of a Killer. I’ve never seen it or heard of it up until now. I’m going to have to seek it out. It has to be good because the American remake is pretty damn good itself. It’s good on a few levels. Liam is at the top of that list. He’s become quite the action star. He’s this generation’s Charles Bronson and believe me when I say it’s a favorable comparison. I was lucky enough to grow up during Cannon’s peak era (i.e. the 80s). Near the end of his career, Bronson made several pictures bearing the Golan-Globus label. Some were better than others, but it was always cool to see Charlie in action.
I feel the same way about Liam. He may be pushing 70, but he’s still a total bad ass. Moreover, he can act unlike Bronson who wasn’t the most accomplished thespian in the world. There’s a reason he was never cast as King Lear. Liam, on the other hand, is a brilliant actor. His moving performance in Schindler’s List proves this beyond any and all doubt. He brings some of that to Memory in his portrayal of a bad guy looking for redemption as the light grows dimmer and dimmer. It’s far from one of his best performances, but it’s better than some others. Hmmm, where have I heard that before?
The aforenamed supporting cast members- i.e. Pearce, Bellucci and Sanchez- all do a good job, but the true standout is Taj Atwal (The Protégé) as Serra’s partner Linda. It’s an underwritten part to be sure, but this girl has spunk. Also, she’s full of surprises. That’s all I have to say on that subject.
As much as I like Memory, there’s no denying it’s a little convoluted. It takes a while for the story to come together, but once it does it’s a pretty good ride. It help that there’s a capable driver at the wheel. Campbell has done some pretty good work in the past including two of the best James Bond movies, GoldenEye and Casino Royale, both inaugural outings for Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig respectively. He also did The Mask of Zorro. I wouldn’t say Memory is up there with those titles, but it’s still good. It has a few well-mounted action scenes, a compelling story, some cool violence and Liam of course. I can’t ask for more from what amounts to a Saturday matinee actioner. It’s a solid three-star flick.
