Remember Me with Robert Pattinson Remembers 9-11 -- a Movie Review

Remember Me Synopsis

"Remember Me," starring Robert Pattinson ("Twilight"), Emilie de Ravin, Chris Cooper, Lena Olin, and Pierce Brosnan, is a romantic tragedy movie set against the backdrop of 9-11. Young Ally Craig watches her mother's murder in New York City as they wait for a subway. Ten years later, Tyler Hawkins (Robert Pattinson) attends his brother's funeral. From such sad beginnings this tragic romance is born.

In 2001, Tyler audits classes at NYU, including a Global Policies class where the topic is terrorism at the beginning of the movie, foreshadowing events to come. Tyler and his roommate Aidan (Tate Ellington) run afoul of Detective Neil Craig (Chris Cooper), the overbearing father of the now 21-year-old Ally (Emilie De Ravin). During an investigation, Tyler is roughed up by the Craig, so when Aiden sees Detective Craig dropping Ally off at NYU, he tells Tyler he should hook up with Ally to get even with her father. Aiden points Ally out to Tyler, and he realizes she is in his Global Policies class.

Tyler and Ally hit it off, talk about death over dinner on their first date, and begin to bond over their shared losses. They have a "spider-monkey"-esque kitchen scene reminiscent of "Twilight" where Tyler tosses Alley over his shoulder and playfully carries her off. After Ally drinks too much and spends the night at Tyler's apartment, she argues with her father, who becomes enraged and hits her.

Ally moves in with the boys until Detective Craig confronts Tyler at his apartment. Tyler deliberately provokes Craig by telling him why he originally asked Ally out. This means he has to try to explain it to Ally, who walks out on him.

Things go from bad to worse as Tyler reacts violently when some of his sister's classmates bully her in front of him, but his defense of his sister brings him closer to his father. Meanwhile, Aiden explains to Ally that Tyler really loves her, so things finally begin to look up for Tyler.

Such a sad movie can't have a happy ending, however, and the ending of this movie occurs on 9-11.

"Remember Me" Movie Review

"Remember Me" is a sad, frequently dark and brooding movie, shot with humor, arguments, romance, carnivals, suicide, school bullying, a sweet brother and sister relationship, and a little nostalgia. It is an introspective look at family dynamics, especially between fathers and their children.

Although there is a great deal going on in "Remember Me," there isn't a lot of action, so the movie moves slowly in spots. Even the slow parts are filled with the nuances of the relationships, however. The acting is underplayed, except for a few key scenes, which makes those scenes that much more dramatic. "Remember Me" did not do well with critics, but it did well at the box office. I am inclined to agree with the box office.

"Remember Me" should appeal to fans of "Twilight" and Robert Pattinson who will see many similarities between Tyler Hawkins and Edward Cullen and who will have conniptions when Pattinson removes his shirt. However, "Remember Me" allows Pattinson to go a little deeper as an actor and to prove he is more than just a pretty face. It is not a bad movie to watch as a reminder of the ordinary people and their families whose lives were forever disrupted by the 9-11 terrorist attacks. There is a sex scene but most is left to the imagination. "Remember Me" is 108 minutes and rated PG-13.

Related Movie Reviews:
A Christian Take on Twilight - Book and Movie Review
Twilight at Midnight - a Movie Review of Twilight Starring Robert Pattinson & Kristen Stewart
Twilight's Kristen Stewart Still Bella in 'Adventureland'
Twilight Secrets: What Secrets Did Peter Facinelli (Dr. Cullen) Reveal at the Twilight Convention?
Kristen Stewart & Dakota Fanning Leave the Twilight Zone for The Runaways