Narrative Structure in Adaption and Memento

 Kristin Langevin

Com126.01

Professor Saphire

08 October 2020

Narrative Structure in Adaption and Memento

In the movies Adaptation and Memento, narrative structure is used as a tool to create and exemplify characterization. Along with the sequencing of the film, the story relies on elements of the narrative to produce a significant connection between the audience, character, and story. These films deviate from traditional narrative which in turn allows for rich complexity in both character and story. Through this departure, Adaption and Memento establish unorthodox characters and story by tweaking narrative structure. 

Both of these films incorporate multiple uses of cinematic language as it relates to narrative structure. In Memento, Leonard describes the events that occur by being a first person narrator. This implants the sensation of having memory loss, and weaves the viewer into the position of Leanords character. It’s a well chosen way of incorporating honest interaction with a character who is flawed. In this way, the story is magnified only to his actions, and the audience truly feels it. Adaption similarly draws the audience in with its clever usage of first person narrative. On top of that, Spike Jonze delivers in his emotional punches by producing round characters full of desires and complications. For example, Charlie’s character is depressed and professionally unfulfilled. This is what ultimately connects Adaption and Memento together. Characters in both films are explicit in conveying emotion and confusion. In addition, both stories use a certain amount of the plot duration to illustrate the uncertainty of characters and their relationship in the word. In Adaption, the plot duration in the first half of the film is based on Charlie’s internal hatred; and in Memento, it is Leonard’s and the audience's perplexity with the chain of events of its relationship with time.

That being said, Adaption uses plot differently than Memento. In Adaption, diegetic elements through the use of Charlie, Donald, Susan’s emotional conflicts provides a glimpse for the audience to understand and empathize with the nondiegetic elements. In short, this means we understand what is happening on screen because of the way our characters explain their suffering. This differs in Memento. In this film, Leonard does not convey clear cut emotions, but rather the audience is connected to the nondiegetic elements from the use of other characters' reactions of Leonard. These films deliver narrative structure differently by presenting different diagenetic and nondiegetic elements. Also, Memento incorporates the idea of film noir which is discussed in Mark Cousin’s documentary. Film noirs are characterized by having cynical heroes, and continued use of flashbacks; which Memento contains and Adaption lacks. 

In conclusion, Adaption and Memento use character structure to create and evolve the story. Both films contain first person narratives that captivate the audience’s attention and establishes a willingness to put themselves in the character's perspective. Conversely, The emotions aren’t displayed in the same fashion. Adaption uses a more direct and clear meta analysis on culture, emotions, and art. Memento on the other hand uses Leonards psychology to display the unusual nature of memory and time. Both films have unconventional narrative structures which deliver characters that push the story forward.