Amnesia

A psychological thriller which is worth watching if you don't think too hard about the character with amnesia.

There is a double storyline which intertwines and keeps the viewing guessing about what is going on with the two male leads.

The ending is just too ludicrous. Was he an undisclosed channel swimmer?

Spoiler: What was the point of the amnesiac drawing attention to himself by walking into A&E and claiming he knew nothing about himself or his history. Why did he let himself be examined in a way that would show that he had no brain trauma?

With sufficient IT skills to be able to hack into just about anything, including banks, then why choose an altogether more risky way to commit fraud and embezzlement.

You'll come up with several different denouements for "Amnesia" - not sure if you'll get the right one.

The story concerns an amnesiac, John Dean (Anthony Calf) who is asked to take part in an experiment for a treatment that shows great promise. At first he refuses. He is not sure he wants to know about his past as he is happily married and has a good life, but he and his wife (Jemma Redgrave) need the money, so he agrees to do it.

DC Mackenzie Stone meanwhile is searching for his wife, who walked out on him a year ago. He has very little memory of what happened and why she took off, except for brief flashes and terrible nightmares. He constantly goes through missing person reports.

When he sees one for a Paul West, he thinks that West might be Dean and starts an investigation. He soon learns that Dean's wife and child were killed in a fire, and then West disappeared. Shortly after that, Dean showed up in their town.

Mackenzie's partner, Brendan Coyle, starts to think that Mackenzie may have killed his wife.

Mackenzie thinks that John Dean is Paul West and that West killed his wife and child and probably killed before.

So who's right? Are they both right? Both wrong? One right and one wrong?

Great story, with the actors' excellent work throughout a bonus. They are all terrific.

I saw this on Netflix - I recommend it highly.

John Hannah shines in anything he does. Amnesia had us on the edge for 3 episodes, since it showed over a 3-week period here on TVO! Patrick Malahide was also superb as his boss. What these guys can do with their facial expressions! (applies to rest of cast also).

General comment: British suspense-mysteries are compelling because the characters are so complicated. In fact, the cops are sometimes more messed-up than the guys they're trying to catch. The plot or the 'whodunit answer' is often secondary. If you try watching typical American CSI-type shows afterwards, they almost seem laughable.

What gives Amnesia such a punch is that it does have an intriguing plot and outcome also. The movie ends, but the story doesn't. Hope you enjoy as much as we did.

Added note: a few are questioning the conclusion or ultimate solution to the mystery. The Brits don't worry about whether the parameters of their plots are rational-they just want to surprise you! Stop worrying!

This seems a lot older than it really is but the acting was great from the usual suspects.

The plot leaves a lot to be desired and the flashbacks John Hannah keeps having get old very quickly.

It was a nice twist with his detective partner although I began to suspect it early on. But the full role he played kept me guessing. We are thrown a lot of red herrings which are never resolved though.

Several reviewers have wondered why John Dean had walked into A&E claiming amnesia but he was in an accident that required major face reconstruction. Cheaper than plastic surgery and left me wondering if it had been intentional.

I think it was an enjoyable watch in spite of the flaws. And there were major flaws.

Good story, nice twist & turns, entertaining & great cast