Memento (2000)

The year's cleverest thriller, and one that rewards a second viewing. Leonard Shelby cannot form new memories, so he hunts the man he believes killed his wife with Polaroids, notes and tattoos. Christopher Nolan plays the colour scenes in reverse order and intercuts black-and-white ones that run forwards, so you reach each moment knowing no more than Leonard does. Guy Pearce gives him the brisk courtesy of a man who has introduced himself a thousand times, which makes every friendly face look like a con.