Save this article to read it later.
Find this story in your accountsSaved for Latersection.
This review was originally published on September 9.
We are recirculating it now timed toMemorys debut in theaters.
The waning days of a film festival arent generally regarded as a time for great discoveries or major premieres.
Appropriately so, too, because its almost entirely their show.
When someone comes to repair her fridge, Sylvia notes that she had specifically requested a woman.
Chastain makes Sylvias simmering anxiety palpable, though in decidedly unshowy fashion.
He says nothing, just sits next to her and stares.
She says nothing back, just leaves.
He follows her to the subway, then to her apartment.
She takes his wallet and calls a number.
But Sylvia remembers Saul.
Whats more, she claims that Saul also raped her once.
Do you remember what you used to make me do?
she asks him angrily the next time they meet, or do you only remember when its convenient?
He stares at her blankly.
He doesnt remember a thing.
Heres where the movie gets interestingly thorny, at least briefly.
This coincides with Sauls family asking if Sylvia might be willing to help care for him during the day.
Is it something about his blankness, his gentle acceptance that attracts her?
Sylvias daughter is getting to that age when shes starting to rebel against her clearly overprotective moms edicts.
Luckily, we have these two actors, who when together feel like a chemical reaction come to life.
Her tension is transformed by his pleasant pliancy, and vice-versa.
The film is on less firm ground when it actually tries to untangle Sylvias past.
The inevitable revelations about what happened to her are fairly predictable, though no less harrowing for being so.
Even so, this is clearly a film thats meant to be carried by its leads.
And as a showcase for these stars,Memoryworks superbly.
