As much as I dread non-linear narratives as a script and continuity supervisor, as a viewer, they’re my one true love. It’s true that these films demand more attention and focus than the regular three-act screenplays, but hey, if done right, what’s more satisfying than jumping between timelines and realities with characters and the developing story? In this article, we’re listing the best non-linear stories that defied time to enhance their narratives. 9 Best Non-Linear Films1. Memento (2000) An inventive exploration of memory and identity, Christopher Nolan’s Memento redefined non-linear storytelling. A hardcore revenge story centering on a former insurance investigator, Leonard (Guy Pearce), now a patient of anterograde amnesia, the narrative follows Leonard in his quest for his wife’s killer. His only clues? Notes and tattoos, hazed by a failed memory. Nolan distinguishes between the timelines using color: black and white for the past, while color is used for the continuous present. With that, Nolan presents the ongoing present in reverse, keeping the flashbacks linear, with both eventually converging at the climax.2. Pulp Fiction (1994) Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction is not only critically acclaimed for its stylized treatment but is also a cult classic non-linear narrative. Tarantino divides the story into seven main segments that are intertwined with each other. The narrative follows seven different individuals who cross paths with each other, with their storylines intersecting around significant incidents. Instead of a single climax or resolution, Pulp Fiction’s pay-offs occur at different points throughout the narrative, making sure that...
Published By: NoFilmSchool - Yesterday