The problem with these movies from smaller countries is that it all reveals a kind of inferiority complex, as everything that comes out and is a cut above average is instantly hailed as a classic as if it is a sports match where the underdog must win in order to advance the national pride. Having that out of the way, this is still a decent movie. The comparison with Memento falls flat, because although the main character does suffer from memory loss, this is more an effort to revive the almost dead French genre of the policier (extra points for that) somewhat influenced by Mann (although Mann's movies are much more rooted in literature).
Most striking is that there is fierce criticism of Belgian society: No cooperation between cops of different corpses, there is little funding for police, corruption abound, appointments for friends only, etc. But the most important subject is that of pedophilia and this being made after the Dutroux-case seems to support the theory of large pedophile networks protected by certain people in the upper echelons of society, be it law, police or politics. This satisfies the opinion of most Belgians on the subject matter, although never proved up till now. But you can still debate if it is very ethical to cash in on the whole case in this matter.
Unfortunately a large amount of logic is lacking in the screenplay. Why does Ledda take such risks to contact police as he is the only one who can tackle the case. He shoots a cop and Vincke hardly is very angry the next time they speak. Ledda seeks shelter in his old home where everybody can find him. Once in the hospital he is almost dead, he then suddenly revives after a death treat and starts acting like a super hero with suicidal tendencies. The subject of Alzheimer itself is worked upon, but nothing is accomplished that makes the theme work in the movie.
The movie looks good with reasonable camera-work, but most 'cool' sequences are on the video clip level. The movie has some bad lines, although the whole structure works. Some jokes are rather infantile. And there is a strange mix of good and bad acting, with Jan Decleir coming out on top and Werner De Smedt at the bottom.
Most striking is that there is fierce criticism of Belgian society: No cooperation between cops of different corpses, there is little funding for police, corruption abound, appointments for friends only, etc. But the most important subject is that of pedophilia and this being made after the Dutroux-case seems to support the theory of large pedophile networks protected by certain people in the upper echelons of society, be it law, police or politics. This satisfies the opinion of most Belgians on the subject matter, although never proved up till now. But you can still debate if it is very ethical to cash in on the whole case in this matter.
Unfortunately a large amount of logic is lacking in the screenplay. Why does Ledda take such risks to contact police as he is the only one who can tackle the case. He shoots a cop and Vincke hardly is very angry the next time they speak. Ledda seeks shelter in his old home where everybody can find him. Once in the hospital he is almost dead, he then suddenly revives after a death treat and starts acting like a super hero with suicidal tendencies. The subject of Alzheimer itself is worked upon, but nothing is accomplished that makes the theme work in the movie.
The movie looks good with reasonable camera-work, but most 'cool' sequences are on the video clip level. The movie has some bad lines, although the whole structure works. Some jokes are rather infantile. And there is a strange mix of good and bad acting, with Jan Decleir coming out on top and Werner De Smedt at the bottom.