Guy Pearce, known for his compelling performances, has turned the spotlight on himself with some surprising revelations about his role in the 2000 film Memento. Despite the film's acclaim and his prominent role as Leonard Shelby, Pearce has candidly declared he’s not particularly fond of his own performance, describing it as akin to "nails on a chalkboard." This blunt self-assessment has fans and critics buzzing, especially since Memento is regularly hailed as one of director Christopher Nolan's best works.
During a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Pearce expressed his dissatisfaction after rewatching the film for the first time since its release. "I watched Memento the other day and I’m still depressed. I’m shit inthat movie," Pearce admitted. He added, "I’d never thoughtthat before, but I did this Q&A of Memento earlier this month and decided to actually watch the film again. Butwhile it was playing, I realized I hate what I did." Pearce's honesty has struck chords with many—despite the movie being full of praise, the actor does not share the same affection for his portrayal.
Set against the backdrop of his character's struggle with short-term memory loss, Pearce's performance was central to the film's compelling narrative. For those unfamiliar with the plot, Memento follows Leonard Shelby, played by Pearce, as he navigates his investigation to find the man he believes killed his wife. The film's unique storytelling, which plays with the concept of memory and perception, has left lasting impressions on audiences.
Despite acknowledging the film’s brilliance, Pearce didn’t hold back when discussing his role. He stated, "I was trying to do a flippant attitude, but it was all wrong. John Gielgud once said, ‘You can be good in a good movie, good in a bad movie, bad in a bad movie, but never be bad in agood movie.’ Yet I watched Memento and realized I’m bad ina good movie. F***.”
This sense of regret has led Pearce to reconsider not just his performance, but also his relationship with Nolan. The actor speculated on why he hasn’t worked with the director since Memento, pointing to bias from studio executives at Warner Bros. against him. Pearce recalled, "An executive at Warner Bros. who quite openly said to my agent, 'I don’t get Guy Pearce. I’m never going to get Guy Pearce. I’m never going to employ Guy Pearce.'" Pearce suggests this bias affected Nolan’s decisions, noting, "I know why I didn’t work with Chris again—it’s because I’m no good in Memento."
Despite his harsh self-assessment, many people regard Pearce’s performance favorably, with some even arguing he deserved award nominations. Pearce was nominated for best actor by various film critic organizations upon the film's release, and his career since has been filled with critically acclaimed roles. From his lead role in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert to his standout performance in L.A. Confidential, Pearce has amassed significant acclaim over the years.
Yet, the actor juxtaposed his feelings on past roles against his view of Memento. He compared the quality of his performance, stating, "If I reckon my performance in Neighbours is two out of ten, Memento is a five." It's clear his own metrics set higher expectations than what he delivered in this landmark film.
Looking back, Pearce remarked on the peculiarity of how fans perceive performances relative to actors' personal views on their work. He said with irony: "It’s funny; people say I should’ve been nominated for Memento. Now I understand why I wasn’t." It appears the acceptance of his personal standards doesn’t align with public opinion or accolades from industry peers.
The conversation surrounding Pearce’s regret over Memento offers insight not only about his performance but also about the broader expectations actors place on themselves within the film industry. While he is proud of many roles he has played over the years—especially his most recent work which earned him nominations at the Academy Awards—the shadow of Memento and its mixed legacy continues to impact his perspective.
Despite grappling with his feelings about Memento, Pearce maintains admiration for the film itself. He referred to it as still being “a good movie” and acknowledged how fans and critics alike continue to appreciate its storytelling and performances, even if his own contribution leaves him feeling less than satisfied. With such talent, audiences can only hope Pearce will find future roles where he feels the same pride he holds for his other renowned performances.
Currently, Memento is available for streaming on Peacock, inviting both new viewers and nostalgic fans to experience its innovative narrative once again and reflect on the performances within.