A gripping thriller featuring an ‘exceptional performance’ by Liam Neeson is set to air on Film 4 tonight, and it’s not Taken.
Memory, starring Liam Neeson, Guy Pearce, and Monica Bellucci, is based on the 2003 Belgian novel De Zaak Alzheimer by Jef Geeraerts and its subsequent film adaptation, The Memory of a Killer.
The plot centres around contract killer Alex Lewis (Liam Neeson), who is grappling with early-onset Alzheimer’s and is assigned one last hit.
When he refuses to assassinate a teenage girl, he turns against his employers and joins forces with FBI agent Vincent Serra (Guy Pearce) to bring down a formidable human trafficking ring.
The narrative intertwines two investigations into the ring and Alex’s rapidly declining memory as he races against time to uncover the truth before his mind completely fails him.
Despite its sombre storyline, the film is hailed as one of Neeson’s finest roles, earning an 80% rating on the Popcornometer on Rotten Tomatoes. One fan praised: “One of Liam Neeson’s best acting credits imo. Outstanding performance. Good movie for his Taken fans.”
Another viewer said: “Excellent story and acting from Liam Neeson about a serious subject that is getting worse, specially in the United States (California, New York, Michigan, Oregon, Washington and Colorado)… never loses focus on the message while keeping the viewer engaged throughout the film.”, reports <a href=”https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/liam-neeson-thriller-one-best-36347519″ rel=”Follow” target=”_self”>the Mirror</a>.
Another added: “Solid movie, Liam is not indestructible in this one. Nice acting and good ending. Recommended,”.
A fourth contributor said: “This is a darkish drama that explores tough stuff. Heartbreakingly beautiful! Its about abuse, addictions, families, trauma, dementia, love, mothers, daughters and sisters. So much! All of the acting is superb! I especially loved Jessica Chastains and Merrit Weavers performances.”
Others delivered more balanced critiques, with one viewer noting: “Fragmented from the start (maybe that was the idea), slowly comes together only to reveal an odd sort of picture centered on the familiar trope of bad guy and good guy sharing a common goal to take down bigger bad guys.”
Another commented: “Liam Neeson and Guy Pierce might be the only good performances for the most part, but they really make the most with what they got.”
However, others cautioned: “It’s a fairly average action flick, but you know going into this if you’re a fan of Neeson doing this kind of thing or not. If you are, it’s one of his better outings doing this and has a cool gimmick. If you’re not, just simply stay away.”
Another warned: “Unless you are a really keen Liam fan I’d give it a miss. The plot is wafer thin and predictable, some of the acting poor and the title might as well been referencing better films, of which there are many, that Liam Neeson has appeared in.”
