Unknown is a thriller that opens in an abandoned warehouse in the American desert. At the start of the film we find that securely locked inside the warehouse are five unconscious men some with injuries ranging from quite small ones to the more serious. One unconscious man has a gun wound and is handcuffed to a railing; another man is tied to a chair. The remaining three men are sprawled unconsciously across the floor. As the film progresses one by one each man awakes but none of them can remember who they are, or what has happened.
When one member of the group reads a discarded page from a newspaper, they get a vital clue that two of them from the group have been kidnapped and the reminder of the group are part of the gang of would be kidnappers. Naturally this sparks a lot of suspicion and tension among the group as each man tries to figure which side he is on, is he a kidnapper or the kidnapped. Meanwhile other members of the kidnapping gang, who have been away during this time negotiating with the police for the ransom money, call the warehouse unaware of what has happened and unwittingly let slip that they are returning at sundown. Although the group don't yet know their individual roles in this scenario they
do know that when these other kidnappers arrive, whoever the two kidnap victims are, they will not make it out alive. As this could be anyone of them, the group decide to work together to plan an escape but as each man's memories start to gradually return will they still be able to trust each other to get out alive before the other kidnappers return, or will they start turning on each other?
This was actually a really good film with much dramatic tension as each man tries to work out whose side he is on. As sketchy bits of memory start to return to each character the tension rises as more of the truth unfolds. You don't actually learn the names of each character until near the end of the film when we start to get the full picture and this is a really effective tactic to keep you guessing throughout most of the film. (I have deliberately not used the names here so as not to give the game away).
More of the plot is revealed as flashbacks from each character give us just a little more insight into what actually took place. We also get to see what is going on outside as the police try to track the kidnappers down.
Jim Caviezel plays the main character and the first to wake up which immediately puts him under suspicion with the rest of the group as he takes the initial phone call from the kidnappers. His character tries to deal with the unsettling circumstances in which he awakes and by trying to deal with the unsettling fact that he may be a kidnapper.
Greg Kinnear is great as the more edgy mistrustful member who is not prepared to trust anyone, but rather believes everyone is the enemy. Kinnear effectively brings across the fear and frustration of his character as he tries unsuccessfully to find ways out of the warehouse.
Barry Pepper's character I found really interesting as his character seemed to develop as the film progressed and he carried the part off well making it believable and interesting. His character represented the more practical individual ready to trust and work together in order to get the job done and get out alive.
The other two characters played by Joe Pantolino (the man tied in the chair) and Jeremy Sisto (the handcuffed man) had smaller but still significant roles. They did a good job which worked well for the continuity of the plot.
The supporting cast were also good especially Bridget Moynahan as the wealthy wife of one of the kidnap victims, and Peter Stormare simply referred to as Snakeskin boots who is the threatening face of the kidnap gang.
The direction of the film was good. I think it worked really well that we come into the film just as Jim Cavizel wakes up so as he and the other group members go through the disorientation of not knowing who they are or where they are, that we are right there with them.
The music of the film was used to match the current scene and was effective in portraying the tension in the mood of the characters but was otherwise unmemorable.
I found this to be an entertaining film that would be good for anyone that enjoys a good thriller that will keep you guessing up to the end.
Cast List (as given on dvd) Jean Jacket - Jim Cavaziel Broken Nose - Greg Kinnear Eliza Coles - Bridget Moynahan Bound Man - Joe Pantoliano Rancher Shirt - Barry Pepper Handcuffed Man - Jeremy Sisto Snakeskin Boots - Peter Stormare
Directed by Simon Brand Music - Angelo Milli Written by Matthew Waynee Casting - Shannon Makhanian
Special Effects provided by Ultimate Effects Filmed on location in Eagle Mountain Desert Centre, San Bernadino, Indio and Los Angeles California. Certificate 15
Special Features
Film Previews; This is England Inland Empire Exiled
Scene Select Audio Setup - 5.1 Surround and 2.0 Stereo
Available on Amazon for £8.97
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Thriller - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Timothy West, Neil Morrissey, Tara Fitzgerald, Annette Crosbie, Pauline Quirke, Rob Brydon, Denise Van Outen, John Thomson, Kevin Whately, David Suchet
Production Year: 2002 - Thriller - Director: Bharat Nalluri, Rob Bailey, Andy Wilson - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Matthew MacFadyen, Keeley Hawes, David Oyelowo, Peter Firth, Jenny Agutter, Lisa Faulkner
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