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Top 10 Non-Linear Narratives in Movies


who says all movies need to follow a

who says all movies need to follow a straight line I don’t understand what

straight line I don’t understand what

straight line I don’t understand what I’m looking at why am i standing here in

I’m looking at why am i standing here in

I’m looking at why am i standing here in there oh my god deja vu welcome to

there oh my god deja vu welcome to

there oh my god deja vu welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’ll be

watchmojo.com and today we’ll be

watchmojo.com and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the top 10

counting down our picks for the top 10

counting down our picks for the top 10 nonlinear films

nonlinear films

nonlinear films life is funny and shit this list we’re

life is funny and shit this list we’re

life is funny and shit this list we’re taking a look at films that effectively

taking a look at films that effectively

taking a look at films that effectively convey their stories out of

convey their stories out of

convey their stories out of chronological order

chronological order

chronological order making the plot more compelling and

making the plot more compelling and

making the plot more compelling and thought-provoking number 10

thought-provoking number 10

thought-provoking number 10 Once Upon a Time in America sir where do

Once Upon a Time in America sir where do

Once Upon a Time in America sir where do you wanna go anyway almost 30 years

you wanna go anyway almost 30 years

you wanna go anyway almost 30 years after fleeing from Manhattan gangster

after fleeing from Manhattan gangster

after fleeing from Manhattan gangster David noodles Aronson returns to face

David noodles Aronson returns to face

David noodles Aronson returns to face his uncertain future and recollect his

his uncertain future and recollect his

his uncertain future and recollect his past that’s what I’m gonna ask my son

past that’s what I’m gonna ask my son

past that’s what I’m gonna ask my son 135 he is noodles memories are triggered

135 he is noodles memories are triggered

135 he is noodles memories are triggered by a series of poignant visual cues

by a series of poignant visual cues

by a series of poignant visual cues flawlessly transitioning from his

flawlessly transitioning from his

flawlessly transitioning from his boyhood street hustler days to his rise

boyhood street hustler days to his rise

boyhood street hustler days to his rise up the rackets and back to the present

up the rackets and back to the present

up the rackets and back to the present day long ago soon as a testament to how

day long ago soon as a testament to how

day long ago soon as a testament to how crucial the nonlinear structure here is

crucial the nonlinear structure here is

crucial the nonlinear structure here is this originally nearly four-hour epic

this originally nearly four-hour epic

this originally nearly four-hour epic was edited down and put into

was edited down and put into

was edited down and put into chronological order for its wide

chronological order for its wide

chronological order for its wide American release robbing the narrative

American release robbing the narrative

American release robbing the narrative of its depth sense of nostalgia and

of its depth sense of nostalgia and

of its depth sense of nostalgia and poetry I’m not gonna be home tonight

poetry I’m not gonna be home tonight

poetry I’m not gonna be home tonight number 9

number 9

number 9 Rashomon another its nonlinear narrative

Rashomon another its nonlinear narrative

Rashomon another its nonlinear narrative aside this crowning achievement from

aside this crowning achievement from

aside this crowning achievement from Akira Kurosawa is also groundbreaking

Akira Kurosawa is also groundbreaking

Akira Kurosawa is also groundbreaking for its utilization of the Rosamond

for its utilization of the Rosamond

for its utilization of the Rosamond effect

the film recounts four contrasting

the film recounts four contrasting versions of a murder told from the

versions of a murder told from the

versions of a murder told from the perspectives of abandoned a wife a

perspectives of abandoned a wife a

perspectives of abandoned a wife a woodcutter who stumbled upon the scene

woodcutter who stumbled upon the scene

woodcutter who stumbled upon the scene of the crime and even the deceased

of the crime and even the deceased

of the crime and even the deceased samurai who gives his testimony via a

samurai who gives his testimony via a

samurai who gives his testimony via a medium don’t nobody play nothing up top

medium don’t nobody play nothing up top

medium don’t nobody play nothing up top because your new young woman by the

because your new young woman by the

because your new young woman by the film’s conclusion the truth behind the

film’s conclusion the truth behind the

film’s conclusion the truth behind the murder isn’t what’s important what truly

murder isn’t what’s important what truly

murder isn’t what’s important what truly matters is whether a priest’s faith in

matters is whether a priest’s faith in

matters is whether a priest’s faith in humanity can be restored after hearing

humanity can be restored after hearing

humanity can be restored after hearing such a disturbing tale oh you dig

such a disturbing tale oh you dig

such a disturbing tale oh you dig Thank You number eight I’m not there

rather than making a straightforward

rather than making a straightforward biopic about the life of Bob Dylan

biopic about the life of Bob Dylan

biopic about the life of Bob Dylan director Todd Haynes evaluates the

director Todd Haynes evaluates the

director Todd Haynes evaluates the musician from various stand points and

musician from various stand points and

musician from various stand points and I’m not there

I’m not there

I’m not there that’s hot change the film follows

that’s hot change the film follows

that’s hot change the film follows several fictional characters inspired by

several fictional characters inspired by

several fictional characters inspired by the many lives of Dylan most notably

the many lives of Dylan most notably

the many lives of Dylan most notably Cate Blanchett’s oscar-nominated

Cate Blanchett’s oscar-nominated

Cate Blanchett’s oscar-nominated performance as a controversial folk

performance as a controversial folk

performance as a controversial folk singer that betrays his diehard fans

singer that betrays his diehard fans

singer that betrays his diehard fans that’s right he’s diehard fans

there’s no doubt that Dylan will always

there’s no doubt that Dylan will always be remembered as a great songwriter and

be remembered as a great songwriter and

be remembered as a great songwriter and singer through this unique approach

singer through this unique approach

singer through this unique approach however we additionally see him as an

however we additionally see him as an

however we additionally see him as an outlaw a poet a prophet and so much more

outlaw a poet a prophet and so much more

outlaw a poet a prophet and so much more it’s like you got yesterday today and

it’s like you got yesterday today and

it’s like you got yesterday today and tomorrow

tomorrow

tomorrow all in the same room number seven Kill

all in the same room number seven Kill

all in the same room number seven Kill Bill fall you won

Bill fall you won

Bill fall you won welcome to arrow may I help you Okinawa

welcome to arrow may I help you Okinawa

welcome to arrow may I help you Okinawa one way Quentin Tarantino wasn’t the

one way Quentin Tarantino wasn’t the

one way Quentin Tarantino wasn’t the first filmmaker to employ nonlinear

first filmmaker to employ nonlinear

first filmmaker to employ nonlinear storytelling but he certainly helped

storytelling but he certainly helped

storytelling but he certainly helped popularize this narrative technique

popularize this narrative technique

popularize this narrative technique through movies like Reservoir Dogs

and pop fiction so he hid it in one

and pop fiction so he hid it in one place he knew he could hide something

place he knew he could hide something

place he knew he could hide something his ass even more ambitious an example

his ass even more ambitious an example

his ass even more ambitious an example is in Kill Bill which opens with a bang

is in Kill Bill which opens with a bang

is in Kill Bill which opens with a bang as a bride is shot in the head well yes

as a bride is shot in the head well yes

as a bride is shot in the head well yes you’re from there

you’re from there

you’re from there Tarantino begins to unravel a tale of

Tarantino begins to unravel a tale of

Tarantino begins to unravel a tale of betrayal and revenge full of colorful

betrayal and revenge full of colorful

betrayal and revenge full of colorful characters Oh Renee she was born on an

characters Oh Renee she was born on an

characters Oh Renee she was born on an American military base in Tokyo Japan

American military base in Tokyo Japan

American military base in Tokyo Japan Louis if his chapters are told out of

Louis if his chapters are told out of

Louis if his chapters are told out of order yet everything flows together

order yet everything flows together

order yet everything flows together perfectly as the bride’s past catches up

perfectly as the bride’s past catches up

perfectly as the bride’s past catches up with her present over the course of the

with her present over the course of the

with her present over the course of the two volumes number six Eternal Sunshine

two volumes number six Eternal Sunshine

two volumes number six Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind Eternal Sunshine of

of the spotless mind Eternal Sunshine of

of the spotless mind Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind what makes the

the spotless mind what makes the

the spotless mind what makes the disjointed narrative in internal

disjointed narrative in internal

disjointed narrative in internal sunshine so ingenious is how it

sunshine so ingenious is how it

sunshine so ingenious is how it completely catches the audience

completely catches the audience

completely catches the audience off-guard in the final act remember me

off-guard in the final act remember me

off-guard in the final act remember me try your best when Joel encounters

try your best when Joel encounters

try your best when Joel encounters Clementine on a train in the film’s

Clementine on a train in the film’s

Clementine on a train in the film’s beginning we’re led to believe that this

beginning we’re led to believe that this

beginning we’re led to believe that this is their first meeting do I know you

is their first meeting do I know you

is their first meeting do I know you in the end however it’s revealed that

in the end however it’s revealed that

in the end however it’s revealed that the two actually met at a beach party

the two actually met at a beach party

the two actually met at a beach party subsequently they engage in a

subsequently they engage in a

subsequently they engage in a relationship broke up and try to expunge

relationship broke up and try to expunge

relationship broke up and try to expunge each other from their memories show me

each other from their memories show me

each other from their memories show me which constellations

which constellations

which constellations against all odds they meet again in

against all odds they meet again in

against all odds they meet again in Montauk bringing this whole train ride

Montauk bringing this whole train ride

Montauk bringing this whole train ride full circle number 5 500 days of summer

full circle number 5 500 days of summer

full circle number 5 500 days of summer Tom don’t go you’re still my best friend

Tom don’t go you’re still my best friend

Tom don’t go you’re still my best friend we all know how love stories go boy

we all know how love stories go boy

we all know how love stories go boy meets girl boy loses girl boy gets girl

meets girl boy loses girl boy gets girl

meets girl boy loses girl boy gets girl back since 500 days of summer isn’t a

back since 500 days of summer isn’t a

back since 500 days of summer isn’t a love story though it’s boy meets girl

love story though it’s boy meets girl

love story though it’s boy meets girl boy loses girl and not necessarily in

boy loses girl and not necessarily in

boy loses girl and not necessarily in that order

that order

that order you if they see me as I dismiss jumping

you if they see me as I dismiss jumping

you if they see me as I dismiss jumping around 500 days we see Tom’s complicated

around 500 days we see Tom’s complicated

around 500 days we see Tom’s complicated relationship with summer at its best and

relationship with summer at its best and

relationship with summer at its best and at its worst this is exactly what I’m

at its worst this is exactly what I’m

at its worst this is exactly what I’m talking about what does that even mean

talking about what does that even mean

talking about what does that even mean love you know one day he’ll be

love you know one day he’ll be

love you know one day he’ll be victoriously leading a parade another

victoriously leading a parade another

victoriously leading a parade another day his brain is literally rained upon I

day his brain is literally rained upon I

day his brain is literally rained upon I never wanted to be anybody’s girlfriend

never wanted to be anybody’s girlfriend

never wanted to be anybody’s girlfriend and I somebody’s wife the 500th day may

and I somebody’s wife the 500th day may

and I somebody’s wife the 500th day may not end up is Tom it hoped but it does I

not end up is Tom it hoped but it does I

not end up is Tom it hoped but it does I sure in a promising new autumn my name’s

sure in a promising new autumn my name’s

sure in a promising new autumn my name’s Tom nice to meet you

Tom nice to meet you

Tom nice to meet you I’m Adam number for Annie Hall you at

I’m Adam number for Annie Hall you at

I’m Adam number for Annie Hall you at Granby Hall we call him you do before

Granby Hall we call him you do before

Granby Hall we call him you do before there was 500 days of summer there was

there was 500 days of summer there was

there was 500 days of summer there was this nonlinear not to mention

this nonlinear not to mention

this nonlinear not to mention unconventional romantic comedy the only

unconventional romantic comedy the only

unconventional romantic comedy the only lady at the end of the table who is it

lady at the end of the table who is it

lady at the end of the table who is it classic jew-hater redefining Woody

classic jew-hater redefining Woody

classic jew-hater redefining Woody Allen’s directorial career Annie Hall

Allen’s directorial career Annie Hall

Allen’s directorial career Annie Hall opens up with an erotic Alvy Singer

opens up with an erotic Alvy Singer

opens up with an erotic Alvy Singer discussing his failed romance with the

discussing his failed romance with the

discussing his failed romance with the title character Annie and I broke up and

title character Annie and I broke up and

title character Annie and I broke up and I still can’t get my mind around that he

I still can’t get my mind around that he

I still can’t get my mind around that he not only evaluates his relationship with

not only evaluates his relationship with

not only evaluates his relationship with Annie

Annie

Annie but his relationships with family

but his relationships with family

but his relationships with family schoolmates and other past loves too I

schoolmates and other past loves too I

schoolmates and other past loves too I keep sifting the pieces of the

keep sifting the pieces of the

keep sifting the pieces of the relationship through my mind and then

relationship through my mind and then

relationship through my mind and then examining my life and trying to figure

examining my life and trying to figure

examining my life and trying to figure out where did the screw-up come you know

out where did the screw-up come you know

out where did the screw-up come you know while the road is disjointed it becomes

while the road is disjointed it becomes

while the road is disjointed it becomes clear the destination won’t be a

clear the destination won’t be a

clear the destination won’t be a storybook ending you wanted to break up

storybook ending you wanted to break up

storybook ending you wanted to break up just as much as I do no question but I

just as much as I do no question but I

just as much as I do no question but I think we’re doing the mature thing

think we’re doing the mature thing

think we’re doing the mature thing without any doubt that doesn’t mean our

without any doubt that doesn’t mean our

without any doubt that doesn’t mean our lovers can’t part on good terms though

lovers can’t part on good terms though

lovers can’t part on good terms though and fondly look back at the old times I

and fondly look back at the old times I

and fondly look back at the old times I I don’t think many couples could handle

I don’t think many couples could handle

I don’t think many couples could handle us you know they could just break up and

us you know they could just break up and

us you know they could just break up and remain friends number three citizen cave

remain friends number three citizen cave

remain friends number three citizen cave your complete attention if you please

your complete attention if you please

your complete attention if you please from its complex central characters –

from its complex central characters –

from its complex central characters – it’s brilliant visual symbolism Citizen

it’s brilliant visual symbolism Citizen

it’s brilliant visual symbolism Citizen Kane is often cited as the best film of

Kane is often cited as the best film of

Kane is often cited as the best film of all time for good reason I don’t know

all time for good reason I don’t know

all time for good reason I don’t know how to run a newspaper mr. fetch I just

how to run a newspaper mr. fetch I just

how to run a newspaper mr. fetch I just try everything I can think of Orson

try everything I can think of Orson

try everything I can think of Orson Welles his revolutionary use of

Welles his revolutionary use of

Welles his revolutionary use of nonlinear storytelling particularly

nonlinear storytelling particularly

nonlinear storytelling particularly cements the film’s masterpiece status

cements the film’s masterpiece status

cements the film’s masterpiece status adding to the mystery as a reporter

adding to the mystery as a reporter

adding to the mystery as a reporter attempts to uncover the meaning behind

attempts to uncover the meaning behind

attempts to uncover the meaning behind Charles Foster Kane ‘he’s dying word

through a series of interviews we

through a series of interviews we flashback – Kane’s rise and fall from

flashback – Kane’s rise and fall from

flashback – Kane’s rise and fall from greatness fryin been very rich I might

greatness fryin been very rich I might

greatness fryin been very rich I might have been a really great man although

have been a really great man although

have been a really great man although the journalist pastes together a

the journalist pastes together a

the journalist pastes together a majority of teens life a vital piece

majority of teens life a vital piece

majority of teens life a vital piece remains missing when all is said and

remains missing when all is said and

remains missing when all is said and done oh I guess rose but it just a piece

done oh I guess rose but it just a piece

done oh I guess rose but it just a piece in a jigsaw puzzle missing piece number

in a jigsaw puzzle missing piece number

in a jigsaw puzzle missing piece number two memento I’m Leonard Shelby I’m from

two memento I’m Leonard Shelby I’m from

two memento I’m Leonard Shelby I’m from San Francisco video war the truth is

San Francisco video war the truth is

San Francisco video war the truth is that nobody can tell a story in reverse

that nobody can tell a story in reverse

that nobody can tell a story in reverse but only a true creative genius could

but only a true creative genius could

but only a true creative genius could keep the audience guessing from start to

keep the audience guessing from start to

keep the audience guessing from start to finish I’m chasing this guy

no chase Christopher Nolan does exactly

no chase Christopher Nolan does exactly this in memento which follows a man

this in memento which follows a man

this in memento which follows a man suffering from anterograde amnesia as he

suffering from anterograde amnesia as he

suffering from anterograde amnesia as he tries to solve his wife’s puzzling

tries to solve his wife’s puzzling

tries to solve his wife’s puzzling murder

murder

murder Oh what’s the last thing you remember

ultimately it’s revealed that our

ultimately it’s revealed that our protagonists life is a never-ending

protagonists life is a never-ending

protagonists life is a never-ending cycle spiraling counterclockwise look

cycle spiraling counterclockwise look

cycle spiraling counterclockwise look memory can change the shape of a room it

memory can change the shape of a room it

memory can change the shape of a room it can change the color of a car and

can change the color of a car and

can change the color of a car and memories can be distorted through his

memories can be distorted through his

memories can be distorted through his oscar-nominated screenplay

oscar-nominated screenplay

oscar-nominated screenplay Nolan established himself as one of the

Nolan established himself as one of the

Nolan established himself as one of the most ambitious storytellers of this

most ambitious storytellers of this

most ambitious storytellers of this generation which would carry on to

generation which would carry on to

generation which would carry on to future nonlinear mysteries like the

future nonlinear mysteries like the

future nonlinear mysteries like the prestige Anna :

prestige Anna :

prestige Anna : the bloody fest in England why 50 yards

the bloody fest in England why 50 yards

the bloody fest in England why 50 yards in a second

in a second

in a second in a second Nolan we know he uses a trap

in a second Nolan we know he uses a trap

in a second Nolan we know he uses a trap door ah brilliant before we wrap up this

door ah brilliant before we wrap up this

door ah brilliant before we wrap up this totally linear list with our top pick

totally linear list with our top pick

totally linear list with our top pick here are a few honorable mentions I

here are a few honorable mentions I

here are a few honorable mentions I don’t know who I am what do you mean

don’t know who I am what do you mean

don’t know who I am what do you mean you’re Rita no I’m not whose connector

you’re Rita no I’m not whose connector

you’re Rita no I’m not whose connector cut our hair relaxed the festival’s

cut our hair relaxed the festival’s

cut our hair relaxed the festival’s overseas video do not mean I don’t hear

overseas video do not mean I don’t hear

overseas video do not mean I don’t hear you giving me any names so I guess when

you giving me any names so I guess when

you giving me any names so I guess when I shot you the belly I ain’t too high

I’m sure you can call me sue out of love

I’m sure you can call me sue out of love with you I’ve got nothing left for you

with you I’ve got nothing left for you

with you I’ve got nothing left for you nothing nothing

nothing nothing

nothing nothing number one pulp fiction everybody coulis

number one pulp fiction everybody coulis

number one pulp fiction everybody coulis Aurora cute every mother okay last one

Aurora cute every mother okay last one

Aurora cute every mother okay last one of you in what many consider to be his

of you in what many consider to be his

of you in what many consider to be his magnum opus Quentin Tarantino strings

magnum opus Quentin Tarantino strings

magnum opus Quentin Tarantino strings together several interlocking stories

together several interlocking stories

together several interlocking stories about crime Redemption and Royales with

about crime Redemption and Royales with

about crime Redemption and Royales with cheese I got the metric system it was on

cheese I got the metric system it was on

cheese I got the metric system it was on a good for pentagrams what did it go

a good for pentagrams what did it go

a good for pentagrams what did it go they call it the Royale which royality

they call it the Royale which royality

they call it the Royale which royality portraying these events out of order

portraying these events out of order

portraying these events out of order Pulp Fiction is an unpredictable

Pulp Fiction is an unpredictable

Pulp Fiction is an unpredictable experience where even one of the main

experience where even one of the main

experience where even one of the main characters can die by the second act

characters can die by the second act

characters can die by the second act which is technically the third act the

which is technically the third act the

which is technically the third act the tone ranges from laid-back too

tone ranges from laid-back too

tone ranges from laid-back too over-the-top too philosophical

over-the-top too philosophical

over-the-top too philosophical constantly leaving us wondering what the

constantly leaving us wondering what the

constantly leaving us wondering what the overall narratives working up to and I

overall narratives working up to and I

overall narratives working up to and I will strike down upon thee with great

will strike down upon thee with great

will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who

vengeance and furious anger those who

vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my

attempt to poison and destroy my

attempt to poison and destroy my brothers as for the meaning behind this

brothers as for the meaning behind this

brothers as for the meaning behind this twisted anthology of sorts that’s

twisted anthology of sorts that’s

twisted anthology of sorts that’s something you’ll want to keep analyzing

something you’ll want to keep analyzing

something you’ll want to keep analyzing with each repeated viewing it’s a

with each repeated viewing it’s a

with each repeated viewing it’s a chopper baby this chopper Eastasia

chopper baby this chopper Eastasia

chopper baby this chopper Eastasia Zed’s who said sans dead baby dead dead

Zed’s who said sans dead baby dead dead

Zed’s who said sans dead baby dead dead do you agree with our list you what’s

do you agree with our list you what’s

do you agree with our list you what’s your favorite nonlinear fill what do you

your favorite nonlinear fill what do you

your favorite nonlinear fill what do you do when you get stung on a movie line

do when you get stung on a movie line

do when you get stung on a movie line with a guy like this behind you for more

with a guy like this behind you for more

with a guy like this behind you for more entertaining top 10s published every day

entertaining top 10s published every day

entertaining top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com

be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com

be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com now that’s an ending

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