Unknown (2006)

Unknown (2006) Also known as ‘Blackout’ (but there are several films by that name, I believe). Film by Simon Brand. I thought I was dreaming! Jim Caviezel, Greg Kinnear, Barry Pepper, Jeremy Sisto and Peter Stormare in the same film??? Clearly, I thought, the film couldn’t be totally rubbish. You’ve got all these famous actors locked in a room and a whole host of lesser-known actors and actresses in the outside world. They’re all good.

It’s really class! Five men wake up locked in a hangar in the middle of an industrial estate. They don’t know each other, can’t remember who they are or what they’re doing there. They can’t get out… Tension mounts. Little by little, snatches of memory come back to them. They have all been involved in a hostage crisis. But who are the hostages and who are the kidnappers? This film is brilliant!

The beginning looks like SAW =) But doesn’t have much else in common, if ever! It turns out to be an excellent thriller with a well thought out and surprising story. Unknown is like a mix of Memento and a bit of The Usual Suspects! I saw a review that said ‘Good idea BUT……For me, there’s only one word to remember: CHEAP!’ And this review is worthless too! As if a cheap film couldn’t be good !!! A film that’s only half a behind closed doors movie, half the time.

Very good direction, very good ideas! Almost flawless. I didn’t know much about this film, but for some people Peter Stormare is already reason enough to rent or see a feature film. Almost always a good decision.

Jim Caviezel is totally convincing, once again.

Barry Pepper is in one of his best roles.

The film is very captivating and well acted, right down to the smallest part. It’s a pleasure to discover Joe Pantoliano. But apparently I’d already seen him in other films such as Bad Boys (1995), Bound (1996), Matrix (1999) and Memento (2000).

There’s plenty of suspense, but the film lacks a little something to make it perfect. There are a few too many unexpected final twists in the last ten minutes. They weren’t all necessary. Wonderful entertainment, very captivating. A surprising film that’s well worth seeing! A must-see!

Selective filmography of these magnificent actors: Jim Caviezel is, first and foremost, Jesus Christ himself (as is Jeremy Sisto, incidentally, in another film!) in The Passion of the Christ (2004), the big bad in Escape (2013), one of the soldiers in the incredible The Thin Red Line (1998). I’ll also remember Highwaymen (2003) and Long Weekend (2008). Barry Pepper: Saving Private Ryan (1998), The Green Line (1999), Seven Pounds (2009), Maze Runner 3 – The Death Cure (2018) and Crawl (2019). Greg Kinnear: As good as it gets (1997), Mystery Men (1999), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), The Gift (2000), Fast Food Nation (2001) Jeremy Sisto: Suicide Kings (1997), Angel Eyes (2001), May (2002), Wrong Turn (2003), Hangman (2015) Peter Stormare: Fargo (1996), Jurassic Park 2 (1997), The Big Lebowski (1998), 8MM (1999), The Killing Room (2009), Small Apartments (2012), Hansel & Gretel – Witch Hunters (2013) Chris Mulkey is also part of the cast as one of the detectives. He made a lasting impression on me in an episode of the first season of Beauty & the Beast. He played the leader of the thugs who were trying to find the only witness to a crime… but the witness was mute! It was episode 11: An Impossible Silence.