Remembering 'Remember Me': More Than Just a Robert Pattinson Heartthrob Movie
Ah, Robert Pattinson. Before his famous Batsuit roles, he was brooding in many other films. Let us explore a movie that often gets overshadowed by his vampire days, Remember Me. Released in 2010, it promised romance and Pattinson angst. It delivered tears, though perhaps not as expected.
The Plot Twist That Dropped Jaws (and Maybe Drew Some Ire)
Remember Me tells a timeless tale. Tyler Hawkins, played by Pattinson, is a classic troubled soul. His daddy issues stem from family tragedy ruining his bond with his corporate lawyer father, played by Pierce Brosnan. Tyler, feeling misunderstood, meets Ally Craig (Emilie de Ravin). Ally shatters Tyler's hardened exterior. Love grows, secrets linger, you know the routine.
But Remember Me suddenly shifts gears. Just when Tyler starts to feel happiness, BAM! He dies. Yes, Robert Pattinson's character dies. It's not a typical death. Tyler's death links to 9/11. He is in his father's office at the World Trade Center's North Tower that day. His dad is late, taking Tyler's sister to school. Then, the credits roll, leaving viewers in shock.
This ending raised eyebrows, indeed. Critics and audiences were divided. Some called it a powerful twist reflecting life’s unpredictability. Others labeled it "exploitation" and "tasteless." The film's sudden tie to real-world events stirred strong reactions. It's an ending that ensures people remember, even if not for the intended reasons.
Meet the Players: Tyler, Ally, and the Hawkins Clan
To understand the emotional landscape of Remember Me, you must know the characters facing personal dramas intertwined with historical ones.
Tyler Hawkins: The 21-Year-Old Ball of Angst
Robert Pattinson plays Tyler at the height of his fame. At 21, he is an NYU student in 2001. He has floppy hair, a furrowed brow, and a vintage wardrobe. Tyler is still wrestling with his brother's suicide. This loss has fractured his bond with his corporate lawyer father, Charles Hawkins (Pierce Brosnan). Tyler embodies grief and resentment. He has an artist's aura, but he mostly scribbles thoughts in notebooks.
Ally Craig: Sunshine in Human Form (Almost)
Ally Craig, played by Emilie de Ravin, is also 21 and an NYU student. She contrasts sharply with Tyler. Ten years after her mother’s murder, she navigates trauma with resilience. She lives with her overprotective father, Neil (Chris Cooper), an NYPD detective worried for her safety. His protectiveness creates tensions between them. Ally is warm and seems unfazed by Tyler's brooding. She likely owns bright sweaters and believes in coffee's problem-solving powers.
Caroline Hawkins: The Bullied Younger Sister
Caroline Hawkins, Tyler’s 11-year-old sister, is portrayed by Ruby Jerins. She represents innocence amid family dysfunction. Caroline feels insecure due to her father’s emotional distance. In a heart-wrenching scene, she is bullied at a birthday party. Mean girls cut her hair, leaving her scarred emotionally and physically. This seemingly small event emphasizes children's vulnerability, especially in struggling families.
Michael Hawkins: The Ghost in the Machine
Michael Hawkins, Tyler's deceased brother, casts a long shadow over the story. His suicide fuels Tyler's pain and his fractured relationship with their father. Michael is frequently mentioned, serving as a reminder of their troubled past. Christopher Clawson plays Michael in flashbacks or photos. He symbolizes loss and grief, highlighting the suicide's impact on families.
Themes Woven into the Fabric: Lies, Loss, and 'Remembering'
Remember Me isn't just a love story with a shocking twist; it explores family dynamics, tragedy's impact, and the search for meaning in life's chaos.
The Tangled Web of Lies
Deception looms large early in Tyler and Ally’s relationship. Their initial meeting lacks authenticity. Tyler’s friend pushes him to seduce Ally for revenge against her father. Tyler reluctantly agrees. Complications arise as real feelings develop. Ally learns the truth and they split up. In true romantic fashion, Ally forgives Tyler. This forgiveness highlights themes of second chances and redemption among initial missteps.
Family Tragedy: The Scars That Run Deep
Tyler and Ally are both deeply impacted by family tragedies. Tyler feels Michael's suicide's heavy weight, fracturing his bond with their father. The tattoo on Tyler’s chest reminds him of this grief. For Ally, witnessing her mother’s murder created profound vulnerabilities. Their shared grief connects them, fostering understanding and empathy in their relationship. They find solace amidst their pain.
What Does 'Remember Me' Actually Mean?
The title Remember Me carries deep meaning. It is a request for connection or remembrance. In a different context, it relates to persistent login on websites, where sites "remember" identities between sessions. In the movie context, it signifies longing for impact and connection. The central theme suggests that lives intersect unpredictably, creating ripples affecting others in unseen ways.
Scarborough, North Yorkshire: A Touch of England in New York?
Although set in New York City around NYU and the Financial District, the film unexpectedly brings a piece of England into its narrative. A hidden connection exists beneath the surface.
A tidbit is that some production locations were in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England. Why Scarborough? Perhaps for budgetary reasons, or to capture a certain aesthetic. This detail adds a touch of flavor to an American story. Imagine Tyler brooding by the North Sea instead of the Hudson. The angst would be potent with a different accent.
Robert Pattinson: From Twilight Heartthrob to Real-Life Dad
Robert Pattinson is now a different man since the 2010 film Remember Me. He starred in acclaimed films and took on the role of Batman. He surprised fans by becoming a dad. Pattinson is engaged to Suki Waterhouse. In March 2024, they had a baby girl. This is far from Tyler Hawkins' tragic ending, showing life continues joyfully.
If You Liked 'Remember Me', You Might Also Cry to...
If Remember Me left you emotionally devastated, you might enjoy some similar films that scratch that bittersweet itch.
The Best of Me: Heart Transplants and Second Chances
The Best of Me, based on a Nicholas Sparks novel, also deals with tragedy. After a vague tragic accident, Dawson's heart gets donated to Amanda's son, who needs a transplant. This highlights lives intertwining unexpectedly but with higher melodrama.
Me Before You: Love, Loss, and Assisted Suicide
To maximize tears, Me Before You is a strong contender. The movie is about a tragic love story. Will Traynor becomes quadriplegic after an accident. He hires Louisa Clark and they fall in love. However, Will chooses assisted suicide, leaving Louisa heartbroken. It explores difficult choices, love, and loss and requires tissues.
Caroline...Wait, Wrong Caroline?
Now, for an unrelated but confusing aside: Caroline. The name Caroline Hawkins in Remember Me might connect with The Vampire Diaries fans. One main character in that series is also named Caroline – Caroline Forbes. These are two different Carolines in distinct universes.
Caroline Forbes, played by Candice King, starts as an insecure teenager and transforms throughout the series. Unlike Caroline Hawkins, the bullied 11-year-old, Caroline Forbes becomes a vampire at age 17. Her journey includes dramas like being conditioned by her vampire hunter father. She gets bitten by Tyler Lockwood and flips her humanity switch due to grief. Though both share a name, their stories differ vastly. One endures middle school cruelty; the other faces Mystic Falls' supernatural world. Just something to consider if you mix up your Carolines.
In conclusion, Remember Me lives up to its name. You're unlikely to forget that ending. The film grapples with big themes, messy emotions, and life's unpredictability, even if it stumbles in execution. And it gave us Robert Pattinson brooding at his best. For some, that alone makes it memorable.
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