The immensely talented duo of Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard lead the way in “Memory”, the new film from the often provocative yet thoughtful Michel Franco. This engrossing adult drama about two broken souls finds its strength in the transcendent performances of its two leads and in Franco’s resonating script which analyzes the human condition from a perspective we’re not used to seeing in his films.

Chastain plays Sylvia, a single mother and recovering alcoholic. When not working at an adult daycare center or attending AA meetings, she’s raising her daughter Anna (Brooke Timber) the best way she knows how. Sylvia is a loving mother, but overprotective which is a byproduct of her own childhood trauma. It’s a past that still haunts her and has defined so much of her adult life.

The story takes off in earnest after Sylvia agrees to attend a high school reunion with her well-meaning but persistently uncomfortable sister, Olivia (Merritt Wever). As Sylvia sits at a table, alone and detached, an unknown bearded man (Sarsgaard) locks his eyes onto her from across the room. He slowly makes his way to her and takes a seat. His sudden appearance prompts her to grab her coat and hurriedly leave. The man creepily follows her from a distance, first to the subway, and then as she makes the dark walk home.

Franco infuses the scene with mystery. Who is the man? Why is he following her? Why is she so afraid of him? The questions only mount the next morning after Sylvia discovers the man asleep outside of her apartment building. We soon learn the man’s name is Saul Shapiro and he has early stage dementia. Through a series of unlikely circumstances a relationship develops between the two. Sylvia is even hired by Saul’s brother Isaac (Josh Charles) and niece Sara (Elsie Fisher) to sit with him during the day.

As the story progresses we notice some striking parallels between Sylvia and Saul. They went to the same high school and they both are outsiders (in their own ways) within their upper-class families. Yet there’s more to their stories, especially Silvia’s which comes to light after some dark secrets are unearthed. But Franco doesn’t paint every detail or spell out every emotion. Even more, he never caters to our expectations. There are several moments where he lures us in only to flip the script and go in an entirely different direction.

“Memory” wraps up with a moving third act that brings the film’s mature themes to a thoughtful and satisfying place. As with the rest of the movie, it doesn’t take our emotions for granted. Franco does a good job earning our investment and he delivers a touching payoff. He gives his two stars some really good material to work with and has the smarts to let them carry the bulk of the dramatic load. As a result, Chastain and Sarsgaard turn in two of the year’s best performances, cementing Franco’s latest as an exciting and unexpected turn for the notoriously daring filmmaker.

VERDICT – 4 STARS