Unknown

Unknown

****

Reviewed by: Jennie Kermode

Five men wake up in a deserted warehouse. A canister of gas has been spilled and none of them can remember who they are. Mysterious phone calls and a newspaper make it clear that there has been a kidnapping - but which of them committed it, and who are the victims? As other gang members hurry to the scene and the police hasten to track them down, figuring it out becomes a matter of life and death.

Unknown is a smart, twisty little thriller of the sort which don't come along very often. It's got plenty of drama and action for the average cinema-goer and it'll thrill mystery fans. Although the plot may seem contrived and there are moments when it feels like a made-for-TV special, it mostly hangs together very well, with well paced revelations and twists which contribute to the story, fitting the characters rather than simply turning things around for the sake of it. Although there are no stand-out performances here the capable cast do a good job of balancing our sympathies, keeping us guessing right up until the end without putting us in a position where our ignorance makes it hard to care.

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It's difficult to say much about this film without giving too much away, but it really does deliver an excellent night's entertainment, and it should keep you asking questions for a while afterwards. The direction is pedestrian and the soundtrack sometimes grating, but the story really makes up for it and will reward those who pay careful attention from the start. Give it a go - you won't be disappointed.

Reviewed on: 12 Apr 2007
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Five men wake up in a deserted warehouse with no memories. There has been a kidnapping - but who committed it, and who are the victims?
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Director: Simon Brand

Writer: Matthew Waynee

Starring: James Caviezel, Barry Pepper, Greg Kinnear, Joe Pantoliano, Jeremy Sisto, Bridget Moynahan

Year: 2006

Runtime: 98 minutes

BBFC: 15 - Age Restricted

Country: US

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