Unknown (2006)

Written by Nick Da Costa | Saturday, April 5, 2008 |

What do you call a Reservoir Dog with memory loss? A film that soon falters, its bite forgotten, replaced by B-movie licks and a name that reeks of mediocrity: Unknown.

Yes it’s corny, but it’s also perfectly apt for the kind of film that reaches for hi-concept, but ultimately succumbs to the same rote formula and movies clichés of today, especially that of the twist ending. Admittedly it starts off relatively strong, with a group of characters, drawn in swift strokes, speaking of a crime committed that has left them intoxicated by gas in an isolated warehouse, slowly regaining first consciousness then their memories.

Thanks to a strong, noirish central performance from Jim Caviezel and the nervous, gabby contribution from the ever reliable Joey ‘Pants’ Pantoliano the initial mystery is enough to hold our attention. The direction early on is relatively tight, and the sudden memory flashes are used sparingly offering up just enough conflict as each new insight flips our perception of the other characters. Unfortunately as the story unfolds, the intriguing twin concepts of perception and memory are never really taken up to any real degree.

Seriously, there’s a an existential drama crying out for attention here, where memory dictates behaviour and a villain can become the ostensible hero, burying the real heroes in the process. It’s a scary concept and in the right hands could make a very clinical, chillingly real Indie. Here we get a film that bats the idea about like a cute novelty toy, eventually failing to ignore its very commercial sensibilities and indulging in twist after twist culminating with one final one that, although admittedly a cold, and cynical reversal, is still a twist, serving as a final condemnation of the film as a pat entry into present, safe mainstream cinema.

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