PulpFiction1975

Telling A Story Backwards

Re: Telling A Story Backwards

Re: Telling A Story Backwards

I feel that Memento is a perfect example of form equalling content.  The backwards-through-time device is far from being just a gimmick.  For me, it ranks up there with Pulp Fiction for me in successful use of non-linear time storytelling.     

FRIENDLY CHALLENGE:  Does anyone know what the first example of non-linear storytelling is, in film or in literature?  I have no idea.  (The mere inclusion of flashbacks doesn't count.) 

Re: Telling A Story Backwards

The most extreme example of non-linear structure I've seen is probably 21 Grams.  I consideration of how cut up and rearranged the timeline is, it's pretty amazing how well it flows and reveals different parts of the timeline in the most effective way.

Another recent film that I have heard uses the non-linear story telling technique quite well is Irreversible.  I hope to be able to see this pretty soon because it sounds amazing.

SkyPilot:

FRIENDLY CHALLENGE:  Does anyone know what the first example of non-linear storytelling is, in film or in literature?  I have no idea.  (The mere inclusion of flashbacks doesn't count.) 

I did a search on IMDB for keywords that might relate.  There is one called "Nonlinear Timeline".  The earliest movie that has this tag associated with it is actually Un chien andalou in 1929. But since this film doesn't really have a coherent narrative, I'm not sure if it's really applicable to call it storytelling in the same sense that I think we are referring to. The next earliest film to have this tag is The Big Clock in 1948 which I've actually heard is among the best film noirs ever made.  Now I'm even more excited to see it.

There's also a category called "Multiple Time Frames" which I'm not sure exactly what this means.  But it may refer to the fact that we see different events or perspectives of events that all occur during the same time frame.  This often necessitates a non-linear story telling technique, but I think it is an even more specific and complex technique that is surely used to magnificent effect in Pulp Fiction.

Re: Telling A Story Backwards

Re: Telling A Story Backwards

Re: Telling A Story Backwards

KatiesFlicks:

I love it when a director does something unique with a film and gives it a new quality, such as a mixed up timeline sequence.  It turns a film that may have been fine otherwise into something much greater.  It can definitely add a great element to a movie, especially in the case of Memento.  I felt that the backwards time in Memento played on the key theme of memory, and how time has a funny way of changing through memories, and looking back at them.  I don't think Memento would have been even close to as great of a film if it had been told straight forward.  
Anyone have a good example of a non-linear film in which the fragmented approach only hurts the film and does not give it a positive element? 
Personally I did not care much for the movie Palindromes, nor was I a huge fan of Go.  

Well I don't think there was even an option in the decision of how the story of Memento was told.  I belive it was actually based on a story written by Chritopher Nolan's brother, Johnathan.  But I can only assume the convention was thought up before the story.  What the effect is of showing the scenes in reverse order is that we experience the world the same way that Leonard does.  When each scene starts, we have no idea what is going on or how he got into the situation he is in.  That's exactly the same way that Leonard is feeling at the beginning of each scene as well.  There's no possibility that this film would have been "fine" otherwise.  Although continuity-wise it would have made sense to show each scene in chronological order, but for the whole point of the movie it would have made no sense whatsoever.

I'm not a very big fan of Go either, but not because of the story telling method.  I just thought the characters and situations were too contrived and trying to be cool.

I've never seen Palindromes.  I didn't know it had a non-linear timeline, but with the name "Palindromes" I should have assumed.  BTW, do you like Happiness?  I do.

Re: Telling A Story Backwards

Re: Telling A Story Backwards

paul:

There's an added element to Memento. We may experience each sequence as Leonard does—starting off with no idea what's going on—but we also have the benefit of seeing the thread of events connect, something Leonard cannot do. It's a fresh take on a classic tragedy. The audience can see how the hero's choices are heading toward a tragic ending, but the hero cannot. It's a fun storytelling device, but it's also a new way for us to look at how, like Leonard, we make choices to preserve our way of life which can become a life totally motivated by it's own preservation regardless of whether or not it's worth living.

That is true.  Although with each new scene we think we know the story, but each new scene shows us something new that shows us we really didn't know the whole story.  So by the end of the film we feel like we aren't sure if we still actually know the whole thing.  If we were able to keep seeing more scenes that took place earlier and earlier we migh discover our idea of the situation was still way off.  In this way, we still are like Leonard.  We think we know, but we really can't be sure.  We feel almost better to convince ourselves that we do know.

paul:

Incidentally, even though the question was for Katiesflicks, I really like Happiness too. I felt like another of Solondz's films, Storytelling, although a bit more of a soapbox than his other films, serves as a great essay almost to understand his other work. In a nutshell, he tells stories you may not want to hear, but it doesn't mean they're untrue.

That's what I gathered from Happiness.  I have several friends who utterly hate the film.  But it seems to walk into deep shameful places so openly.  I think people don't like it because they don't want to confront those things, but I am sick of all the bullshit.  I want to see some truth!  I hope to see Storytelling soon.

Re: Telling A Story Backwards

Hi, new here.

I did some film studies at uni, and did a whole essay on the messed up time structures in movies.  I even plotted out every scene in Pulp Fiction and  then straightened it out to show how the story actually progresses.  Took me about four hours, lots of notes on the screenplay, and a gallon of tea.  I'll see if I can track it down, and post it up.