NYAFF REVIEW: ‘Battle of Memories’ is Philip K. Dick-inspired thriller from China

Battle of Memories, from director Leste Chen, is a slick, albeit muddled thriller from China that recently played the New York Asian Film Festival. In the film, a new technology allows people to erase memories and store them in a memory bank, almost like a blood bank. This allows patients the ability to restore memories if they have a change of heart.

Jiang Fen (Huang Bo) is a novelist who decides to restore memories of his estranged wife, but, as these things go, the laboratory makes a mistake and implants memories from a serial killer. Now it’s up to Fen to work with the authorities to find the killer before there are more victims.

In many ways, Chen’s film feels like a mixture of Minority Report, Blade Runner and Inception. However, the movie is unable to elevate itself to the same mastery of filmmaking that supports those flicks.

There’s too much explaining of the central technological conceit and not enough character motivation present. As the memories intermittently return to Fen, there’s no real questioning of motive or change in his emotion. The technology is fully explained in this dystopian future, but there’s not much follow through on how it affects the case at hand. Also, how about the societal changes? If memories are easily disposed of and easily recaptured, what does that say about society in the future? The clues are largely missing.

The performances, especially from Bo, are quite appropriate and match the suspense of the thriller. However, without proper character motivation, it’s difficult to become immersed in this world and care for these creations.

Case in point: There’s not much consideration for Fen’s failed marriage. Instead, the relationship seems like a convenient plot point to get Fen into this memory-laced debacle. When the plot overtakes the characterizations, the audience has nothing to do but tune out. There’s not much rooting for the central character.

Also, it must be stated that Battle of Memories (Ji yi da shi) feels too similar to other stories, most notably The Eye with Jessica Alba and the entire Philip K. Dick catalog. The director certainly takes the story in different directions, but the similarity factor can be distracting.

The good parts of Battle of Memories are present and quite numerous. For example, there’s a slickly cool feel to the memory bank’s surroundings, and the whodunit nature of the police work is fun and, at times, achieves enough momentum to propel the plot until its end. There are many twists and turns that prove to be surprising. Others can be seen from miles away.

Chen has crafted an interesting, engaging thriller, but one that can never bring all elements together into a cohesive, nail-biting totality.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

Battle of Memories (2017), directed by Leste Chen, stars Huang Bo and recently played the New York Asian Film Festival. In Mandarin with English subtitles. Running time: 119 minutes. Rating: Click here for more information.