Unknown (C- or 2/4 stars)
Many people like Liam Neeson; always have. They know that he did genuine quality work in the early & mid 1990's. And now, they all know that he can take an easy paycheck for things like the Clash of the Titans reboot, and kick butt in middle brow actioners like Taken. It's what they/we've come accustomed to. That doesn't make it a good thing. But we accept it now. And anyone who saw Taken & enjoyed it will have seen the trailer for this film, 'Unknown' (directed by Jaume Collet-Serra) & thought, "hey, that Neeson guy. Love him. Taken was cool. 'Unknown' looks similar. Sold." Too bad this film is a let-down.
Liam Neeson is Dr. Martin Harris, an American professor in Berlin for a biotechnology conference. His wife, Elizabeth (Mad Men's January Jones), is by his side for the trip. When a suitcase mix-up requires a fast return to the airport, Martin takes-off without a word to his wife & jumps in a cab. And within moments, said cab is involved in a serious accident. Martin is knocked unconscious, but the driver, an illegal Bosnian immigrant named Gina (Diane Kruger), saves his life - and disappears. Martin remains in a coma for 4 days and, when he wakes up, his memory is affected. He leaves the hospital against doctor's orders & goes to the hotel. There, 2 alarming things occur. 1) His wife treats Martin like a stranger. And 2) another man (Aidan Quinn) claims to be the real Martin Harris; and Elizabeth concurs! With his head spinning, authorities disbelieving him, and hit men out to get him ... Martin seeks out help from the vanished Gina, as well as a P.I. named Ernst (Bruno Ganz). With their aid, Martin hopes to figure out the wife/imposter mystery, stay alive, & prove who he really is.
My major problem with 'Unknown' is this: I've already forgotten the particulars of the movie. I mean, I remember 'feelings', but not plot points. i.e., I remember being invested in the story early on. The initial mystery is engaging. The cinematography is appropriately gloomy (Berlin in icy winter). Neeson does his usual 'Neeson' thing. January Jones tries to play the classic Hitchockian platinum blonde, but she's as dry as a board in her portrayal. Aidan Quinn - a talented, underused actor - is given nothing to do with his role. Bruno Ganz is a superb German actor; playing an ex-Stasi officer who does freelance P.I. work in the new Germany for the Neeson's Martin. But Ganz's character is given rough treatment. His character doesn't deserve what he gets. Umm, let's see. I remember a couple of stock action scenes in the middle of the film. I remember being bored for a stretch after that.
I remember thinking 'ah hah' when the major plot twist is revealed. Said plot twist makes sense; but only because it makes sense within the already PREPOSTEROUS nature of the film (including double identities). Intriguing post-war Germany subplots get shortchanged. Intriguing narrative ideas float around, but never coalesce. There's a noisy climax sequence. And then the film ends with 2 characters walking off into the sunset, so to speak. I didn't dislike 'Unknown' as I watched it. But the script, like January Jones, was dry. And I repeat ... when all is said & done, I can't remember most of its particulars. I've seen worse films, for sure. But it's smart, slick facade can't make-up for what is, overall, a credulity straining, and too-boring affair.
Liam Neeson is Dr. Martin Harris, an American professor in Berlin for a biotechnology conference. His wife, Elizabeth (Mad Men's January Jones), is by his side for the trip. When a suitcase mix-up requires a fast return to the airport, Martin takes-off without a word to his wife & jumps in a cab. And within moments, said cab is involved in a serious accident. Martin is knocked unconscious, but the driver, an illegal Bosnian immigrant named Gina (Diane Kruger), saves his life - and disappears. Martin remains in a coma for 4 days and, when he wakes up, his memory is affected. He leaves the hospital against doctor's orders & goes to the hotel. There, 2 alarming things occur. 1) His wife treats Martin like a stranger. And 2) another man (Aidan Quinn) claims to be the real Martin Harris; and Elizabeth concurs! With his head spinning, authorities disbelieving him, and hit men out to get him ... Martin seeks out help from the vanished Gina, as well as a P.I. named Ernst (Bruno Ganz). With their aid, Martin hopes to figure out the wife/imposter mystery, stay alive, & prove who he really is.
My major problem with 'Unknown' is this: I've already forgotten the particulars of the movie. I mean, I remember 'feelings', but not plot points. i.e., I remember being invested in the story early on. The initial mystery is engaging. The cinematography is appropriately gloomy (Berlin in icy winter). Neeson does his usual 'Neeson' thing. January Jones tries to play the classic Hitchockian platinum blonde, but she's as dry as a board in her portrayal. Aidan Quinn - a talented, underused actor - is given nothing to do with his role. Bruno Ganz is a superb German actor; playing an ex-Stasi officer who does freelance P.I. work in the new Germany for the Neeson's Martin. But Ganz's character is given rough treatment. His character doesn't deserve what he gets. Umm, let's see. I remember a couple of stock action scenes in the middle of the film. I remember being bored for a stretch after that.
I remember thinking 'ah hah' when the major plot twist is revealed. Said plot twist makes sense; but only because it makes sense within the already PREPOSTEROUS nature of the film (including double identities). Intriguing post-war Germany subplots get shortchanged. Intriguing narrative ideas float around, but never coalesce. There's a noisy climax sequence. And then the film ends with 2 characters walking off into the sunset, so to speak. I didn't dislike 'Unknown' as I watched it. But the script, like January Jones, was dry. And I repeat ... when all is said & done, I can't remember most of its particulars. I've seen worse films, for sure. But it's smart, slick facade can't make-up for what is, overall, a credulity straining, and too-boring affair.