MWillis

This movie examines true events surrounding the Apollo 11 moon landing: a small town in Australia has a strategically important role to play, as the site of a massive radio telescope. When NASA is unable to receive signal from the Moon, the town of Parkes plays a critical role in bringing the events from the lunar surface to the world. The experience is not without mishap, however, and the people of this small town race to prevent their time of glory from turning into a huge embarrassment. The interactions between the straightlaced NASA agent and the local Australians are particularly funny. The conclusion is stirring: because of many unheralded actions, the world was able to see man on the moon, some of the most evocative images ever captured.

This movie concerns the memories of a man, Leonard, who suffered the loss of his wife and of his short term memory. Because of a head injury, he cannot recall events more than a few minutes' distance. For Leonard, every wakening is a complete mystery or rediscovery. Armed with notes to himself, many helpful tattooes and a polaroid camera, he examines the mystery behind his wife's death. We see his experience in reverse, in a way that disables us in the same way as Leonard. The movie succeeds in conveying the confusion, mystery and experience of a man bereft of memory.