Memories of Tomorrow (2005)

With a rating of 8.4/10 I was expecting something really special but I was seriously disappointed with this film. If it wasn't for the fact Rachel Gilchrist is so attractive I'm not sure I'd have even finished watching this movie. I seriously recommend giving this a miss; it screams out naff no budget and is frankly boring & predictable, calling it a thriller is like false advertising. I've watched better fan made sci-fi films than this like Star Wreck - In the Pirkinning and Star Wars Revelations, they look less amateur. For the love of God I hope there is never a sequel. Perhaps if they fought with shovels instead of guns it would be more exciting.

We went along to the premier of Memories of Tomorrow , not sure of what to expect. All we knew is that a foreign student from the South Seas School had made this much talked about movie on a relatively low (actually 'no') budget. We had no idea that it would be such a slickly presented fare, even more so given the fact that it was made by a relative newcomer to New Zealand. One would have thought, given the excellent dialog and the choice of locations, that Amit Tripuraneni, script writer and director,had been around for ages, whereas in truth he has probably only had a chance to put his student backpack down, before being 'summoned' upon this mission! It shows to each of us, the power of the much-clichéd but true adage , 'Where there is a will...' His success is an inspiration for all budding film makers. With the movie now hitting international markets, we are confident that this brilliant piece of work (and of course the young man behind it) will go places.

In Memories of Tomorrow, John (Richard Thompson) can't remember their past. His wife Tanya (Rachel Gilchrist), on the other hand, is desperately trying to forget. Together, they have forged a new life in New Zealand, leaving Britain, and their previous lives, behind. But four years later history is coming to get them – in John's nightmarish dreams; in the arrival of Roger (Ray Trickitt), a previous acquaintance of Tanya's; and in the inescapable chain of events that Roger's arrival sets off. It gives this film its title, and gives the tale its hook.The relatively slow beginning gives the viewer time to understand the dynamic between the couple, and see how John's lack of memories is creating a dark undertow in their seemingly tranquil lifestyle. While it's not readily apparent what are dreams and what is reality (more from the filming perspective than the acting), the realisation that Tanya is keeping something from John becomes obvious to both him and the viewer.The pace picks up a little when Roger arrives in Auckland, with covert pick-ups, hidden cameras, and espionage behind the scenes. And when Roger comes into contact with Tanya and John, the present begins to tangle with the past, creating disastrous results for everyone.The end is no disappointment, with the main questions answered. But new questions are created and left open, allowing for the possibility of a return to the tale at a later date.No one is going to mistake Memories of Tomorrow for a million-dollar film, but neither does it come across as an amateur effort. The main actors are credible and believable, with most extras also doing well. Given the breaks between filming (done primarily on weekends) and the constraints on locations and time, getting into character cannot have been easily done. Auckland locals will recognise Takapuna and Onehunga featured heavily, with Bethells Beach making appearances in some of the most sinister memories.

As a fan of the British school of espionage films/TV, I enjoyed the "need to know" approach the film took in regards to the exact details of who was working for who. What could so easily have been corny held together well as a intriguing film. I think the director got some nice work from his cast and crew. The film looks great, has a decent soundtrack, and the actors didn't go to far in their roles - often actors can get carried away with an action/thriller film. They can forget that for the characters involved the rough and tumble violence is just part of the job. A professional doesn't feel the need to show off, they just get the job done and try and stay alive.For an imaginative thriller you can't go wrong giving this a try.