Remember Me (2010 film)
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film industry |
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founder | Allen Coulter (director), Will Fetters (screenwriter) |
| Products | Romantic drama film |
Remember Me is a 2010 American romantic drama centered on coming-of-age themes, directed by Allen Coulter with a screenplay by Will Fetters. The film features performances by Robert Pattinson, Emilie de Ravin, Chris Cooper, Lena Olin, and Pierce Brosnan. Produced with a budget of $16 million, it earned $56 million globally. Critical reception was mixed to negative, with particular disapproval aimed at its unexpected conclusion.
Plot
Set in New York, Ally is a student at New York University who lives with her father Neil, a detective for the New York City Police Department. Tyler Hawkins, who attends NYU as an auditor and works at the Strand bookstore, has a complicated relationship with his sister Caroline and their businessman father, Charles.
When Tyler and his roommate Aidan intervene in a scuffle, they are both arrested; Charles posts bail for Tyler but remains distant. Aidan discovers Ally is Neil’s daughter and suggests Tyler pursue a relationship with her to spite Neil. As Tyler and Ally begin dating, they open up about their pasts: Tyler’s brother Michael died by suicide, while Ally’s mother was killed several years earlier.
Following an incident where Ally is hurt by her father, she turns to Tyler for support, which strengthens their bond. Tyler confronts Charles about his absence at Caroline’s art exhibition, sparking a tense exchange about emotional detachment after family loss.
Neil learns of Tyler’s initial intentions toward Ally and reacts aggressively, causing Tyler to admit the truth to Ally. Aidan reassures Ally that Tyler’s feelings are sincere. After Caroline endures bullying at school, Tyler responds with violence and is arrested; Charles then intervenes using his influence to have the bullies removed.
Tyler and Ally express their love for each other. Charles begins spending more time with Caroline, indicating mended family relationships. On September 11, 2001, Tyler is in his father’s office on the North Tower of the World Trade Center when the attacks occur, resulting in his death during the collapse.
The story concludes with themes of familial reconciliation: Tyler is laid to rest beside Michael; Caroline and Charles have reconciled; Aidan commemorates Tyler with a tattoo; and Ally continues forward, carrying the memory of her late mother.
Cast
- Robert Pattinson as Tyler Hawkins, son of Charles and Diane, brother to Michael and Caroline
- Emilie de Ravin as Alyssa "Ally" Craig, daughter of Neil and Helen
- Chris Cooper as Sergeant Neil Craig, Ally's father
- Lena Olin as Diane Hirsch, mother of Michael, Tyler, and Caroline
- Tate Ellington as Aidan Hall, Tyler's close friend and roommate
- Ruby Jerins as Caroline Hawkins, daughter of Charles and Diane
- Pierce Brosnan as Charles Hawkins, father of Michael, Tyler, and Caroline
- Kate Burton as Janine, executive assistant to Charles
- Gregory Jbara as Les Hirsch, Diane's partner
- Meghan Markle as Megan the bartender
- Martha Plimpton as Helen Craig, Ally's mother
Soundtrack
The official soundtrack for Remember Me was released on March 9, 2010, coinciding with a score album composed by Marcelo Zarvos. The film includes 26 credited songs overall; the soundtrack album features 14 selections from artists such as Sigur Rós, The Beta Band, Ani Difranco, Supergrass, and National Skyline. Of particular note is the Pakistani track "Saason ki Mala Peh Simroon" by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, which plays during Tyler and Ally’s initial date scene.
Release
Remember Me had its debut on March 1, 2010, at the Paris Theatre in New York City, followed by a broad theatrical release on March 12, 2010. During its opening weekend, the film ranked fifth at the box office, trailing behind Alice in Wonderland, Green Zone, She's Out of My League, and Shutter Island, earning $8.1 million. By July 6, its cumulative box office revenue had reached $56 million. The movie was rated 12A in the United Kingdom and PG-13 in the United States.
Home media
Summit Entertainment made Remember Me available on DVD and Blu-ray starting June 22, 2010.
Reception
According to the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, only 26% of 136 critics gave the film a favorable review, with an average score of 4.5 out of 10. The consensus on the site notes that while the lead actors are appealing, Remember Me is hindered by an excessively sentimental script and a controversial ending. Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 40 out of 100, reflecting "mixed or average reviews." Audience feedback collected by CinemaScore resulted in an average grade of "B."
Todd McCarthy from Variety observed that the movie contains some touching moments amidst many instances of irritating behavior. Andrea Gronvall of The Chicago Reader described it as a gloomy drama that depends more on Pattinson's acting than on its overly elaborate screenplay. Derek Malcolm from the London Evening Standard remarked that although it was competently directed and filmed, the film lacked genuine vitality. In contrast, Kirk Honeycutt of The Hollywood Reporter commended the rapport between Pattinson and de Ravin and praised the soundtrack and cinematography for contributing to its appeal.
Jake Coyle of the Associated Press recognized the film’s daring attempt and Pattinson’s effort to break free from his Twilight persona by portraying a more serious role. Conversely, Lisa Schwarzbaum from Entertainment Weekly dismissed it as a "shameless contrivance" with subpar acting and writing, while Wesley Morris from The Boston Globe criticized it for exploiting tragedy to justify clichés.
A number of reviewers found the film’s depiction of the September 11 attacks in its conclusion to be offensive and exploitative. Lisa Kennedy from The Denver Post described the ending as both tasteful and aggravating, cautioning against using such events merely for entertainment purposes. Elizabeth Weitzman of the New York Daily News shared this viewpoint, accusing the movie of leveraging tragedy to elevate an otherwise mediocre narrative.
Roger Ebert awarded the film three out of four stars, praising it as a "well-crafted movie" with relatable characters but faulted its storyline for overshadowing these characters by attempting to impose profound significance that ultimately detracts from their impact.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Movie: Drama | Template:Nom |
| Choice Movie Actor: Drama – Robert Pattinson | Template:Won | ||
| Nickelodeon Australian Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Movie Star – Robert Pattinson | Template:Nom | |
| Golden Raspberry Awards | Worst Actor – Robert Pattinson | Template:Nom |