Here's a screen shot of the image we talked around last class. It's not technically a "subliminal" since we can see it, though it moves by quite quickly. But it does add to the debate concerning the film's closure---its possible revelation of any "final" truth---as well as its treatment of the fungible and unstable nature of memory.
Why would "I've done it" be written regualarly? (As opposed to the mirrored John G tat above it.) Is the idea because it was done for her and so in this fantasy it's written so that she can read it? Or even as a badge of honor, on display?
All good questions. As for the non-mirror image quality of the tattoo...well not all his tattoos are (obviously the ones he can read on his hands, arms and legs aren't, but I think there are other chest pieces that aren't as well). Either way, in any scenario, I don't think there could be a REAL memory including his wife AND that tattoos. The tattoos come after her death: either at the hand of her attackers, or later at Leonard's in his alleged Sammy Jenkis haze. So, like you, I read this as Leonard's fantasy---a "trying out," if you will of Teddy's assertions that 1) his wife lived after the attack and 2) the original attacker/murderer was snuffed out. It is an impossible image and therefore an image of impossibility (to a bit a little be too neat) of tying everything Teddy just told him into a neat answer...
To be quite honest these tattos on Leonard chest does these message come after his wife murder.I thought i got that impression because the notes help him to remember about what he should watch out for. So I am i right or wrong i don't want to confuse my self about the message coming across in this image.
I think the image is open to several possible interpretations, Jalessa, so don't worry if you're "right" or "wrong." One thing we can do in class (or on the blogs) is make a comprehensive list of possibilities and then see what we think.
The movie begins with Lenny killing teddy, and through out the movie backtracks and finishes with the conversation between lenny and teddy where lenny tells teddy...he is now his target...so maybe the tattoo comes in after he's killed him, so he can remind himself his task is done.
Interesting idea Mirna...but I think impossible. See if this makes sense:
The last sequence: Leonard is driving away from having learned the "truth" (or is it?) from Teddy. He's already altered his notes on the back of the polaroid of Teddy, thus knowingly setting himself up to kill Teddy (which is what the rest of the film follows). As he drives, he's playing over what Teddy has told him and thinking about his condition and trying to figure out what he thinks. Then he pulls into the tattoo parlor to get Teddy's license plate # tattooed on his thigh (part of his canny use of his amnesia to set up Teddy as future John G.)
The screen capture above is part of the Leonard-closing-his-eyes and "remembering" sequence, WHICH IS FURTHER COMPLICATED BY THE FACT THAT HE'S JUST BEEN TOLD HIS MEMORIES ARE SELF FABRICATED.
So..it can't refer to killing Teddy because that has not happened yet in the plot's chronology. Could it be a thought about the tattoo he'll get later? After getting Teddy? Or the "real" John G.?
Ok, but all that depends on his wife still being alive...and her death is one of the few things we can be certain of (although at who's hands and under what conditions...well...that remains less conclusive).
Why would "I've done it" be written regualarly? (As opposed to the mirrored John G tat above it.) Is the idea because it was done for her and so in this fantasy it's written so that she can read it? Or even as a badge of honor, on display?
ReplyDeleteAll good questions. As for the non-mirror image quality of the tattoo...well not all his tattoos are (obviously the ones he can read on his hands, arms and legs aren't, but I think there are other chest pieces that aren't as well). Either way, in any scenario, I don't think there could be a REAL memory including his wife AND that tattoos. The tattoos come after her death: either at the hand of her attackers, or later at Leonard's in his alleged Sammy Jenkis haze. So, like you, I read this as Leonard's fantasy---a "trying out," if you will of Teddy's assertions that 1) his wife lived after the attack and 2) the original attacker/murderer was snuffed out. It is an impossible image and therefore an image of impossibility (to a bit a little be too neat) of tying everything Teddy just told him into a neat answer...
ReplyDeleteTo be quite honest these tattos on Leonard chest does these message come after his wife murder.I thought i got that impression because the notes help him to remember about what he should watch out for. So I am i right or wrong i don't want to confuse my self about the message coming across in this image.
ReplyDeleteI think the image is open to several possible interpretations, Jalessa, so don't worry if you're "right" or "wrong." One thing we can do in class (or on the blogs) is make a comprehensive list of possibilities and then see what we think.
ReplyDeleteThe movie begins with Lenny killing teddy, and through out the movie backtracks and finishes with the conversation between lenny and teddy where lenny tells teddy...he is now his target...so maybe the tattoo comes in after he's killed him, so he can remind himself his task is done.
ReplyDeleteInteresting idea Mirna...but I think impossible. See if this makes sense:
ReplyDeleteThe last sequence: Leonard is driving away from having learned the "truth" (or is it?) from Teddy. He's already altered his notes on the back of the polaroid of Teddy, thus knowingly setting himself up to kill Teddy (which is what the rest of the film follows). As he drives, he's playing over what Teddy has told him and thinking about his condition and trying to figure out what he thinks. Then he pulls into the tattoo parlor to get Teddy's license plate # tattooed on his thigh (part of his canny use of his amnesia to set up Teddy as future John G.)
The screen capture above is part of the Leonard-closing-his-eyes and "remembering" sequence, WHICH IS FURTHER COMPLICATED BY THE FACT THAT HE'S JUST BEEN TOLD HIS MEMORIES ARE SELF FABRICATED.
So..it can't refer to killing Teddy because that has not happened yet in the plot's chronology. Could it be a thought about the tattoo he'll get later? After getting Teddy? Or the "real" John G.?
Ok, but all that depends on his wife still being alive...and her death is one of the few things we can be certain of (although at who's hands and under what conditions...well...that remains less conclusive).
What do you think?