About Paycheck

Paycheck is a 2003 American Sci-fi action film directed by John Woo and based on a short story by Philip K. Dick. The plot revolves around Michael Jennings, an engineer who works for corporations on short-term projects and then has his memory wiped to protect trade secrets. After his most recent job, instead of a paycheck, he received a mysterious envelope containing various random items and a prophecy of the future that puts him in a thrilling chase to unravel the puzzle and save his life.

Making / Production

The film was produced by Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks. Director John Woo integrated elements of his signature style of action while putting together a film that depicted a complex technological future. The production required detailed special effects to convincingly depict the concept of memory erasure and the advanced technology present in the company labs.

Actors

• Ben Affleck as Michael Jennings: Affleck excellently portrays the smart, yet confused character, effectively capturing the struggles of a man working to decode his future.
• Aaron Eckhart as James Rethrick: Eckhart plays the sly and cunning antagonist with a convincing air of danger.
• Uma Thurman as Rachel Porter: Thurman delivers a solid performance as the love interest and trusted ally, bringing depth to her character.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The movie is based on a short story by author Philip K. Dick, who has written several stories that have been turned into movies such as Blade Runner and Total Recall.
• This was the last American film of director John Woo before he returned to Hong Kong.
• The futuristic device used in the film to erase Michael's memory is called the "Reverse Causal Effect Generator".

Quotes

• "Every once in a while, you have to go out on a limb, that's where the fruit is." - James Rethrick (Aaron Eckhart)
• "I had a life, and now I can't remember it. They stole it from me!" - Michael Jennings (Ben Affleck)

Music, Soundtrack

• The film's score was composed by John Powell, who blended electronic and orchestral sounds for the sci-fi action.
• Features song "In the Nursery" by the group Kilgore, offering an intense rock energy to the action scenes.