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MOVIES / ON DVD / THE MEMORY OF A KILLER
The Memory of a Killer

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The Memory of a Killer (2005)

83%
100%
69%
N/A
N/A
N/A
83 %
Reviews Counted: 66 Fresh: 55  Rotten:11 Average Rating: 6.7/10
 
Consensus: Even though The Memory of a Killer is standard genre fare, it is also engaging and stylish.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 2 hrs 3 mins

Synopsis: Angelo Ledda (Jan Decleir) is an international hitman who has been hired to terminate two people in Belgium. Unknown to those around him, Ledda has advanced symptoms of Alzheimer's, and this double murder will likely be his last. Upon his arrival in Belgium, Ledda quickly finishes the first... Angelo Ledda (Jan Decleir) is an international hitman who has been hired to terminate two people in Belgium. Unknown to those around him, Ledda has advanced symptoms of Alzheimer's, and this double murder will likely be his last. Upon his arrival in Belgium, Ledda quickly finishes the first part of the job: he eliminates a high-profile official Bob Van Camp, leading Detectives Eric Vincke and Freddy Verstuyft (Koen De Bouw, Werner De Smedt) to investigate the murder. When Ledda realizes that his second target is a twelve-year-old girl, he breaks his contract. Ledda, a victim of abuse as a child, makes it his mission to find out who wanted the young girl dead. Ledda's boss, Gilles, finishes the job. While in Belgium, Gilles lays a trap for Ledda, who ultimately turns the situation to his advantage and eliminates Gilles. Furious over the attempt on his life, Ledda turns against his clients. Seynaeve, the middleman in the hired killings, is his first victim. Whilst Vincke and Verstuyft are busy investigating Ledda's case, Ledda strikes again: assassinating the son his client, Minister of State Baron de Haeck. Consequently, Ledda leads Vincke into a cat and mouse game as he continues his mission of revenge. And to their growing dismay, Vincke and Verstuyft begin to see the connection between the murders and political intrigue. Ledda, who is increasingly becoming more careless as a result of Alzheimer's, panics one night when two policeman stop him for a routine patrol check. After killing both officers, a wounded Ledda recklessly and unsuccessfully attempts to kill Baron de Haeck and his bodyguards. Furious over the death of their colleagues, Baron de Haeck's bodyguards refuse to hand Ledda over to Vincke and Verstuyft for questioning. After a few political strings are pulled, Vincke and Verstuyft find Ledda in their custody and begin to unravel a complex web of sexual blackmail and political ambition at the root of the murders. Vincke takes the case to his legal superiors who, after discovering the parties involved, refuse to cooperate or aid in a case where the only real evidence against the powerful Baron de Haeck is the testimonial of a hitman with an ever-decreasing ability to tell fact from fiction. Taking matters into his own hands, De Haeck blackmails an appointed court psychiatrist to declare Ledda insane. While the doctor is injecting Ledda with a muscle paralyzing substance, Ledda takes the psychiatrist hostage and declares the ransom of a car and two hostages, Vincke and Verstuyft. He insists that Vincke be his negotiator who gets the clearance from his superiors to let Ledda go; but what Vincke doesn't know is that police sharpshooters have been ordered to shoot Ledda on-sight. While Ledda manages to escape once again, it is not for long. Knowing all too well that the end is near, Ledda ensures that even after his death the affair can be fully unraveled, leaving a cryptic comment Vincke can use to find the final piece of the puzzle. --© Sony Pictures Classics [More]

Genre: Foreign Films

Starring: Jan Decleir, Koen De Bouw, Werner De Smedt, Patrick Descam

Director: Erik Van Looy
Composer: Stephen Warbeck
Screenwriter: Erik Van Looy, Carl Joos

DVD Info

Release:

Sep 2, 2007

[DVD Details]
  • DVD Features
  • Region 1
  • Keep Case
  • Reviews

     
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    1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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    N/R

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    Full Review | comment Comment
    08/06/08
    Lisa Nesselson
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    Ratings Image
    B-

    The moral dilemmas raised by the assassin and Mr. Decleir's fierce performance are what make the stylish straightforward policier somewhat memorable.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    04/12/07
    Dennis Schwartz
    Ozus' World Movie Reviews
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    Not only as good as any American thriller of the past several years, but boasts a totally unique premise.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    03/01/07
    Lewis Beale
    Film Journal International
    Ratings Image
    4/5

    It is distinguished by the intelligence of its plotting and the fullness of its characterizations: These are believable people, not merely plot fodder.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    12/24/05
    Richard Nilsen
    Arizona Republic
    Ratings Image
    3.5/5

    exemplary crime stuff, complex anti-hero and all.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    12/09/05
    Jules Brenner
    Cinema Signals
    Ratings Image
    3/4

    The unusual Antwerp locations, the visual style of the filmmaking, and the soulfulness of the performances make it a welcome European addition to the genre.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    11/10/05
    Rob Thomas
    Capital Times (Madison, WI)
    Ratings Image
    3/4

    What if grandpa was a hit man, and he was rapidly losing his mind during a killer assignment?

    Full Review | comment Comment
    10/17/05
    Larry Ratliff
    San Antonio Express-News
    Ratings Image
    3/4

    The cat-and-mouse game that Ledda and especially Vincke play is fun to watch.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    10/14/05
    Jeff Vice
    Deseret News, Salt Lake City
    Ratings Image
    '2/4'

    A sort of 'CSI: Antwerp' episode from a director who seems to be auditioning for the next Jason Bourne adventure.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    10/14/05
    John Beifuss
    Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
    Ratings Image
    B

    While Decleir and De Bouw provide exceptionally fine performances, the film devolves into stolid predictability in the third act.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    10/14/05
    Philip Martin
    Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
    Ratings Image
    3.5/4

    A strong showcase for Declair, who plays Ledda as a cagey survivor on a vendetta and juggling cat-and-mouse games with the cops, his future victims and his faltering mind.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    10/14/05
    Sean Means
    Salt Lake Tribune
    Ratings Image
    3/4

    The filmmakers who redo Killer will be hard-pressed to find an actor who can make Killer fans forget Decleir's indelible performance.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    09/30/05
    Piet Levy
    Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
    Ratings Image
    3.5/4

    A jaw-dropping premise so smartly executed that if this movie weren't in Flemish I'd swear that Michael Mann had directed it.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    09/29/05
    Carrie Rickey
    Philadelphia Inquirer
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    Close, but not quite.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    09/26/05
    Richard Roeper
    Ebert & Roeper
    N/R

    Click to read the article

    Full Review | comment Comment
    09/26/05
    Onion AV Club
    Ratings Image
    B

    Though Memory works perfectly well as a policier, it works even better as a character study of a man losing his edge.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    09/26/05
    Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
    Atlanta Journal-Constitution
    Ratings Image
    3.5/5

    The movie is tightly wound and expertly unraveled, resulting in a thriller that you’ll remember.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    09/26/05
    Marjorie Baumgarten
    Austin Chronicle
    Ratings Image
    B+

    Decleir's performance alone would be reason enough to see it, but the clever script and nifty execution are added attractions.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    09/25/05
    Frank Swietek
    One Guy's Opinion
    N/R

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    Full Review | comment Comment
    09/24/05
    Houston Chronicle
    Ratings Image
    2.5/4

    The film won't put you at the edge of your seat, but will keep your attention.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    09/23/05
    Marta Barber
    Miami Herald
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