Memento (2000) quotes

Director
Christopher Nolan.

Cast
Guy Pearce.
Carrie-Anne Moss.
Joe Pantoliano.

A man juggles searching for his wife’s murderer and keeping his short-term memory loss from being an obstacle.

We all lie to ourselves to be happy.
– Leonard Shelby

[running] OK, so what am I doing?
Leonard Shelby
[sees Dodd also running]
Oh, I’m chasing this guy.
Leonard Shelby
[Dodd shoots at Leonard]
No… he’s chasing me.
Leonard Shelby

I have to believe in a world outside my own mind. I have to believe that my actions still have meaning, even if I can’t remember them. I have to believe that when my eyes are closed, the world’s still there. Do I believe the world’s still there? Is it still out there?… Yeah. We all need mirrors to remind ourselves who we are. I’m no different.
– Leonard Shelby

I’m not a killer. I’m just someone who wanted to make things right. Can’t I just let myself forget what you’ve told me? Can’t I just let myself forget what you’ve made me do. You think I just want another puzzle to solve? Another John G. to look for? You’re John G. So you can be my John G… Will I lie to myself to be happy? In your case Teddy… yes I will.
– Leonard Shelby

You don’t want the truth. You make up your own truth.
– Teddy

Now… where was I?
– Leonard Shelby

Memory can change the shape of a room; it can change the color of a car. And memories can be distorted. They’re just an interpretation, they’re not a record, and they’re irrelevant if you have the facts.
– Leonard Shelby

If we can’t make memories, we can’t heal.
– Leonard Shelby

What’s the last thing that you do remember?
– Natalie
My wife…
– Leonard Shelby
That’s sweet.
– Natalie
…dying.
– Leonard Shelby

I don’t even know how long she’s been gone. It’s like I’ve woken up in bed and she’s not here… because she’s gone to the bathroom or something. But somehow, I know she’s never gonna come back to bed. If I could just… reach over and touch… her side of the bed, I would know that it was cold, but I can’t. I know I can’t have her back… but I don’t want to wake up in the morning, thinking she’s still here. I lie here not knowing… how long I’ve been alone. So how… how can I heal? How am I supposed to heal if I can’t… feel time?
– Leonard Shelby

I can’t remember to forget you.
– Leonard Shelby

Remember Sammy Jankis.
– Leonard Shelby

I have this condition.
– Leonard Shelby

We all need mirrors to remind ourselves who we are. I’m no different.
– Leonard Shelby

I don’t think they’d let someone like me carry a gun.
– Leonard Shelby
I fucking hope not.
– Teddy

…who did this to you?
– Leonard Shelby
What?
– Dodd
Who did this to you?
– Leonard Shelby
You did.
– Dodd

Hey! Hey, that’s not your car!
– Teddy
[takes a picture of the Jaguar] It is now.
– Leonard Shelby
Jesus Chri- you can’t take it!
– Teddy
Why not?
– Leonard Shelby
Because the guy you killed owns it; somebody will recognize it!
– Teddy
Well, I rather be mistaken for a dead guy than a killer.
– Leonard Shelby