"Memento"

[rex]

OK, but why do you say it doesn't make sense? After killing Teddy, Leonard writes or tatooes the words and takes a photo?
The fantasy scene, I mention, is contradictory because his wife is still alive, which is an impossibility.

[kennyt]

Is his wife dead?

I guess the point is you don't really know what is real and what is illusion. I'll have to watch it again, it's been a long time so I am pretty weak on the specifics.

[rex]

Yes, she is dead. Either killed by the original assailant(s), or more likely, she survived the assault, and was later killed (as Teddy states) by Leonard himself, in an insulin overdose. Either way she is definitely dead, though she appears alive in the brief fantasy scene which is why that scene has to be imaginary.
At the end of the movie, Leonard successfully, intentionally tricks himself into thinking he has avenged her death by killing Teddy, so a photo of a tatoo stating that is not surprising or contradictory; but it is a logical way for him to remember the event and rest, thus preventing further manipulation from the likes of Teddy and Natalie to achieve their own ends. In reality people are often manipulated by others (though not as blatantly), so this theme of manipulation becomes a metaphor for life in general.

[kennyt]

Once I watch it again I will comment further, I just don't remember enough detail to accurately discuss it.

[rex]

Originally Posted by rex

Yes, she is dead. Either killed by the original assailant(s), or more likely, she survived the assault, and was later killed (as Teddy states) by Leonard himself, in an insulin overdose. Either way she is definitely dead.

Since Leonard has no way to remember whether or not she survived the assault, it is more plausible to believe Teddy that, in fact, she did survive. This is also consistent with many other clues thoughout the film. Leonard can only know what happened based on reading the police file, which is missing pages, undoubtedly removed by the corrupt cop, Teddy, in order to manipulate Leonard for his own ends.

One interesting question: How does Leonard remember that he can't remember? IOW, how does he remember that he has a mental condition? Possible answers:
1. This is a work of fiction. Everything doesn't have to make sense.
2. Leonard's memory trouble is the result of psychological trauma, not organic causes, (just like Leonard's imaginary or composite alter ego, Sammy.)