Liam Neeson has officially found his genre. After surprising everyone in 2007 with his low-buzzed protective-father thriller Taken, Neeson has once again upped his game, this time as Dr. Martin Harris in Jaume Collet-Serra's identity theft brainteaser Unknown.
In the film Neeson plays a doctor who is visiting Berlin with his wife to deliver a presentation at an annual medical summit. But when he gets separated from his wife, a course of events takes shape and before he is fully aware, Harris is on the outside looking in, wondering to himself if he truly knows who he is.
Bearing the always questionable PG-13 rating, I wasn't sure the film could deliver on my expectations; I wanted something authentic, raw and exciting. I got all that and just a bit more.
It is hard to go into full detail as to why I found Unknown so enjoyable without giving away a heavy dose of the plot and eventual twist. For that reason I will refrain from revealing much. I will say though that the film effortlessly intertwines intense action, subtle comedy and clever twists into one picture, crafting a unique and fun experience that 'most' of the family will be sure to enjoy.
I was impressed with the lack of cursing to take place in the film. While I feared it would deter from the reality of the picture, I didn't even notice until Neeson let a 'bitch' fly out; when it happened, the presence of it became awkward. I credit both the director and writer for the rare exclusion. With the violence and death that surrounds the story, its omission is easily what saved its more marketable rating.
Costar Diane Kruger does a good job as Harris's overly gorgeous illegal immigrant sidekick; however, the same can't be said for January Jones, who muddles her way through the story as the now forgetful wife of our protagonist. Aidan Quinn is okay as Harris' identity thief, however, his presence is quite (thankfully) limited from the actual screen.
Unknown is fun, unique and an all out blast (literally). The story contains just enough twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the final reveal, a rarity in Hollywood these days. Dr. Martin Harris might be seeing double, however, the audience isn't. Neeson refers to himself as Dr. Martin Harris at least a hundred times throughout the film. But, when your battling the scope of identity theft, and you have always refused to set up a Facebook or Twitter account, you might be repeating your name once or twice as well.
