Review of film: "UNKNOWN" ( with Liam Neeson as a man in a coma on a "mission" )

2011, 02-23:

Review of movie:  “UNKNOWN”        

 

  If the “Unfamiliar” becomes KNOWN, does it make the INDEFINITE really CLEAR?!...

When people are working towards a specific goal, they have to keep tight “rein” on just what they’re doing & how they do it…  But how can they achieve what they want when they’re UNSURE exactly who they ARE?...

…  That’s the dilemma facing Dr. Martin Harris (LIAM NEESON).  He arrives in Berlin after a flight with his wife Elizabeth (JANUARY JONES)…

…  Due to some confusion, Liam’s suitcase (containing his passport & other identification) is accidentally left at the AIRPORT…  He doesn’t realize the problem until he arrives at his hotel for a conference, & quickly jumps in a cab to RETURN to the airport to try to retrieve it while January checks in…

…  Ah, but it’s going to be “one of ‘those’ days” for him:  In the cab, he’s unable to get a proper phone signal so he can call his wife to TELL her where he’s gone & why…  Then, the cab he’s in is involved in a terrible ACCIDENT, & he needs to be saved by the female cabdriver Gina (DIANE KRUGER)… 

…  Diane helps get him to a hospital, since he’s clearly in a COMA…  But she soon “disappears” from the area (fearful of the police)…  When he awakens, there are a number of vital things he CAN’T REMEMBER (such as, where his ID is)…

…  He does know where his wife JANUARY is--  but, when he finally gets to the hotel, she insists she doesn’t KNOW him, & points out her “REAL” husband AIDAN QUINN, “proven” by old PHOTOS she has…  What the hell is GOING ON here?!...

…  That question comprises the “gist” of this film…  Liam works hard to try to TRACK DOWN Diane to try to provide him with needed “proof” to convince people just WHO he is & why he’s in town…  She is reluctant, but eventually leads him to a friendly ex-Stasi (East German secret service) agent  Ernst Jurgen (BRUNO GANZ)…

…  The more Liam investigates things, the more his life becomes DANGEROUS, with a number of “shadowy” people working hard to try to KILL him…  He meets with famed scientist Professor Bressler (SEBASTIAN KOCH) who he’s come to MEET at the Conference--  but he’s unsure just WHICH Martin is the “real” one (since they’d never met before)…

…  Liam reaches out to try to get in touch with a “back-home” friend , Rodney Cole (FRANK LANGELLA)--  but he doesn’t answer calls from him or Bruno…  The more Liam and Bruno work to gather facts, the more CONFUSING things become as to who’s really “who” & “WHY”…

…  Is Liam or Aidan the REAL “Martin Harris”--  or is it “none of the above”?!...  Why does January keep “vascillating” on whether she truly KNOWS Liam?... 

…  What unexpected information does Bruno learn that directly impacts various lives?...  What is the secret “PLOT” that’s going on, & does it involve an assassination of a Middle Eastern prince or someone else?...

…  This movie abounds in  UNEXPECTED twists & turns, & does so with a wonderful effectiveness…  The acting is fine, the plotting is clever, the “ACTION” / chase scenes are impressive, & it’s an unusually WELL-DONE “caper” thriller…

…  When the “Unknown” becomes KNOWN, I think you’ll see why I’m rating this at 8.5 out of 10 stars!...

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