Is Memo Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2008)

📖 The Core Premise

Memo stands as a 2008 entry that attempts to leave its mark on the various landscape. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Mayuko Motohashi is a high-school student in Tokyo. She suffers from an obsessive-compulsive disorder, obsessively writing down everything that crosses her mind. The anxiety happens so often, that she has to buy large amounts of note pads every few days at a stationer. Mayuko’s life mostly consists of two things. Going to school and seeing her female counselor. One day, after a long period of time, Junpei who is the brother of Mayuko’s father reappears, surprising the family. By a coincidence, Junpei also suffers from an obsessive-compulsive disorder, making him and Mayuko begin to share a strange relationship, both of them fighting to overcome their disorders. But one day, Junpei didn’t seem like himself."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, Hanae Kan feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good cinema. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Memo worth your time? If you appreciate various films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Memo misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 106 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.