Memory (2022) Movie Review

With Nicolas Cage's recent resurgence and Bruce Willis' retirement, it seems that Liam Neeson may be the next actor to come under fire for his string of forgettable movies. In fact, his latest release, "Memory," is already his second film of 2022, and with upcoming projects such as "Retribution," "In the Land of Saints and Sinners," "The Revenger," and a "Cold Pursuit Sequel Project" listed on IMDb, it appears that he will continue to churn out similar thrillers for the foreseeable future.

While "Memory" is a step above some of Neeson's recent offerings, it still falls short of its potential. The film follows Alex Lewis, a skilled hitman who is contemplating leaving his profession behind after seeing the devastating effects of Alzheimer's disease on his brother. However, he accepts one final job in El Paso, which involves killing two individuals and retrieving flash drives from the first victim. After completing the first hit, he discovers that the second target is a 12-year-old girl and decides to keep the flash drives for himself instead of carrying out the assassination.

Unbeknownst to Alex, the girl had been exploited by her father and others, including the son of real estate developer Davana Sealman, who had orchestrated the hit to protect her child. When Alex refuses to carry out the hit, Sealman orders his execution, leading to a series of events that force Alex to fight for his survival and take down those responsible for the heinous crimes.

The plot of "Memory" may sound familiar to those who have seen the 2003 Belgian crime drama "The Memory of a Killer," as both films are based on Jef Geeraerts' novel "The Alzheimer Case." However, while the original film delves deeper into the complexities of its central character, "Memory" tends to rely more on the action sequences, which are often implausible and fail to take into account Alex's deteriorating cognitive abilities.

The film does have its moments, particularly when Neeson is given the opportunity to showcase his dramatic range. However, these instances are few and far between, as the screenplay by Dario Scardapane prioritizes the action over the human drama, leaving Neeson's character to feel underdeveloped and somewhat one-dimensional. Director Martin Campbell, whose impressive filmography includes "Casino Royale," handles the action sequences with some flair, but they often detract from the film's emotional core.

Aside from Neeson, Monica Bellucci delivers a standout performance as Davana Sealman, a character whose motives and actions are driven by a fierce maternal instinct. Bellucci's casting in this film is unexpected, but she manages to bring a sense of depth to her character that is lacking in some of the other performances.

In the end, "Memory" falls short of its potential, failing to live up to the standards set by "The Memory of a Killer" and other films in the genre. While it may be a step up from some of Neeson's previous action films, it ultimately feels forgettable and lacking in substance. It is a shame that a film with so much potential is ultimately let down by a lackluster script and an overreliance on action sequences.

As Liam Neeson continues to take on similar projects in the future, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to break free from the critical scrutiny that has plagued other actors in similar positions. While he certainly has the talent to deliver powerful performances, he may need to be more selective in his choice of roles if he hopes to avoid being typecast as the aging action hero. In the meantime, "Memory" serves as a reminder of the potential that is often left untapped in the world of action thrillers.