Memory (2023)

A social worker (Jessica Chastain) is a recovering alcoholic and a survivor of sex abuse as a child. One night she is followed home by a man (Peter Sarsgaard), who is in the early stage of dementia. Their encounter will change both their lives. Written and directed by Michel Franco (AFTER LUCIA), this is a quirky and eccentric film yet remaining dark and disturbing in its underbelly. I'm still weighing in on how I feel about it. I had a difficult time with it. Is the film maker irresponsible or are the film's characters irresponsible in their behavior? Whatever you think, it's not a film you can dismiss or shake off easily. Shot on an obvious low budget, the movie has a gritty and authentic feel to it. The performances are excellent (Sarsgaard won the best actor award at the Venice film festival) and both Chastain and Sarsgaard give strong but subtle performances resisting the temptation to overact which lesser actors would be inclined to do. A difficult and often frustrating film but worth checking out. With Jessica Harper (excellent) as Chastain's enabling mother), Merritt Wever and Josh Charles.