If you decide to see Unknown based on the intriguing story introduced in its trailer, you won’t be disappointed by its conclusion or by the starring actors’ performances. Some plot details fall through the cracks, but overall it proves to be an exciting film with some great car chases and a satisfying ending.
Liam Neeson stars as Dr. Martin Harris, a scientist who gets in a car crash as soon as he arrives in Germany for a bio-technology conference with his wife (played by January Jones). When he awakens from a coma four days later and reunites with her, she not only claims to not know who he is, but introduces another man who claims to be Martin Harris, who shares the protagonist’s memories and backstory.
The film poses questions about identity and insanity, as made clear from Martin Harris’s line in the trailer: “Do you know what it feels like to become insane? It's a war between being told who you are and knowing who you are...Which do you think wins?” The story resolves itself satisfactorily, remaining suspenseful through the end.
There are, however, some plot holes that viewers simply have to accept and move on, such as the mystery of how a man in a coma for falling off a bridge into a lake managed to bribe so many people afterward with the cash from his pocket that appears to be untouched by water, or how, for that matter, he sprung back to full physical health so quickly. Other devices are a bit obviously placed, such as the ever-conveniently played news story telling him exactly where he needs to go next.
While the cinematography is generally effective, the transitions from scene to scene are sometimes abrupt and even confusing. A couple of scenes are a bit too melodramatic and cause characters to rant for too long - while Neeson’s “Who am I? Who am I” vocal crisis is realistic to how the character would genuinely react, when portrayed on screen it just looks silly.
Neeson’s acting overall though is convincing; his Martin Harris is likable and evokes sympathy. Diane Krugar, who plays the taxi driver who was in the accident with him, is the epitome of feisty loyal Bosnian sidekick chick (hearing her strong accent after getting used to her as American in a similar role in National Treasure took some adjustment, although probably due less to her acting and more to the number of times I’ve seen National Treasure - a good Nicolas Cage film. And no, I’m not including the sequel.). These two along January Jones as the mysterious and beautiful Elizabeth Harris make the film worthwhile. Watch with a grain of salt, and watch for the main story and main actors.
Liam Neeson stars as Dr. Martin Harris, a scientist who gets in a car crash as soon as he arrives in Germany for a bio-technology conference with his wife (played by January Jones). When he awakens from a coma four days later and reunites with her, she not only claims to not know who he is, but introduces another man who claims to be Martin Harris, who shares the protagonist’s memories and backstory.
The film poses questions about identity and insanity, as made clear from Martin Harris’s line in the trailer: “Do you know what it feels like to become insane? It's a war between being told who you are and knowing who you are...Which do you think wins?” The story resolves itself satisfactorily, remaining suspenseful through the end.
There are, however, some plot holes that viewers simply have to accept and move on, such as the mystery of how a man in a coma for falling off a bridge into a lake managed to bribe so many people afterward with the cash from his pocket that appears to be untouched by water, or how, for that matter, he sprung back to full physical health so quickly. Other devices are a bit obviously placed, such as the ever-conveniently played news story telling him exactly where he needs to go next.
While the cinematography is generally effective, the transitions from scene to scene are sometimes abrupt and even confusing. A couple of scenes are a bit too melodramatic and cause characters to rant for too long - while Neeson’s “Who am I? Who am I” vocal crisis is realistic to how the character would genuinely react, when portrayed on screen it just looks silly.
Neeson’s acting overall though is convincing; his Martin Harris is likable and evokes sympathy. Diane Krugar, who plays the taxi driver who was in the accident with him, is the epitome of feisty loyal Bosnian sidekick chick (hearing her strong accent after getting used to her as American in a similar role in National Treasure took some adjustment, although probably due less to her acting and more to the number of times I’ve seen National Treasure - a good Nicolas Cage film. And no, I’m not including the sequel.). These two along January Jones as the mysterious and beautiful Elizabeth Harris make the film worthwhile. Watch with a grain of salt, and watch for the main story and main actors.
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