Unknown (2006 film)
| Unknown | |
|---|---|
 Promotional film poster | |
| Directed by | Simon Brand |
| Produced by |
Rick Lashbrook Darby Parker John S. Schwartz |
| Written by | Matthew Waynee |
| Starring |
Jim Caviezel Greg Kinnear Bridget Moynahan Joe Pantoliano Barry Pepper Jeremy Sisto Peter Stormare Adam Rodríguez Victoria Justice |
| Music by | Angelo Milli |
| Cinematography | Steve Yedlin |
| Edited by |
Luis Carballar Paul Trejo |
| Distributed by | IFC First Take |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 85 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Unknown is a 2006 American mystery thriller film directed by Colombian filmmaker Simon Brand and starring Jim Caviezel, Greg Kinnear, Bridget Moynahan, Joe Pantoliano and Barry Pepper about a group of men kidnapped and locked in a factory with no memory of how they arrived there. Piecing together information around them, they realize that some were kidnapped and some were the kidnappers. They decide they must work together to figure out how to get away before the gang that captured them returns.
The film was previewed before a theater audience for the first time in New York City on December 13, 2005.
Plot
In a warehouse, a handful of men regain consciousness; they have no idea who they are or what happened to them. One is tied to a chair (Joe Pantoliano), another has been handcuffed and shot (Jeremy Sisto), a third has a broken nose (Greg Kinnear), and the other two are also wounded (Jim Caviezel and Barry Pepper). Caviezel's character wakes up first. He makes sure everyone is alive, then discovers that the windows are barred and the only door has a mechanized lock. He finds a ringing phone and picks it up. The caller asks what is going on and Caviezel tells the caller that everyone is fine. The Caller tells him he will return in a few hours. Somewhere else, a money drop off is occurring. Mr. Coles has been kidnapped.
In the warehouse, Pantoliano's character asks to be untied. As Caviezel prepares to untie him, Pepper's character convinces him not to, telling Caviezel that Pantoliano is not on the same side, or he would not have been tied up. As Caviezel and Pepper look for the keys to release Sisto from the handcuffs and treat his wound, Kinnear wakes up and fights with Caviezel and Pepper. At the drop off, the signal in the money bag goes silent; the cops enter to find the money gone.
In the warehouse, the men find a newspaper featuring a story about the kidnapping of a wealthy businessman named Coles. The men suspect that they were involved with the kidnapping, but do not know what their involvement was. They begin to experience flashbacks.
A gun is recovered, and Caviezel wins possession of it. Various attempts to free themselves, including trying to attract attention through a hole in the wall, and shooting out a window, fail. The men decide to work together to fight off the criminals who are coming, so all of them can go their separate ways.
Sisto's character recalls a harrowing incident from his childhood when he was comforted by his friend. He claims Caviezel is his friend, but Caviezel cannot verify this. Sisto's character dies from his wounds.
The police piece together who they believe the kidnappers are. They show photos of the suspects to Coles' wife (Bridget Moynahan). Sisto, Pantoliano and Caviezel are among the photos.
At the warehouse, the gang returns from the money pickup. Pantoliano remembers he is part of the gang and tries warning them of the trap. In the confusion, he is shot along with one of the gang members. After Pepper is pushed out at gunpoint, the others surrender. Caviezel recalls that he is part of the gang, but cannot accept that he is a criminal. He is greeted by the gang leader and chastised for letting things go so wrong in the warehouse. A fight broke out between kidnappers and victims. Chemicals spilled during the fight rendered everyone unconscious and induced temporary amnesia. Caviezel is tasked with killing Pepper and Kinnear, and tells them he has to kill them or be killed himself.
After hearing gunshots near the grave Pantoliano dug before losing his memory, the gang leader asks Caviezel if the gang leader is looking at a cop, meaning Caviezel. This sparks a memory that Caviezel was a cop working undercover in the gang. As the gang leader looks over to see an empty grave, Kinnear comes out of the shadows to attack the gang members. Kinnear is killed, as are the remaining gang members. Pepper saves Caviezel's life by shooting the gang leader, who has a gun leveled at Caviezel. The police arrive on the scene. Caviezel is praised for having survived so long undercover.
Pepper turns out to be Coles, the wealthy businessman, and as both are being treated, Coles' wife arrives and hugs her husband. Caviezel looks over at the couple, and upon seeing the wife, remembers that they were having an affair. Caviezel arranged the kidnapping and planned to get rich and win the girl. Horrified by what he has done, he takes the ransom money to the officers. Coles introduces his wife to Caviezel.
Cast
- Jim Caviezel as Jean Jacket
- Barry Pepper as Rancher Shirt
- Greg Kinnear as Broken Nose
- Joe Pantoliano as Bound Man
- Jeremy Sisto as Handcuffed Man
- Bridget Moynahan as Eliza Coles
Production
Portions of the film were shot in the Coachella Valley, California.[1]
Critical reception
On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 37% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 41 reviews.[2] On Metacritic, the film had an average score of 44 out of 100, based on 17 reviews.[3]
References
- ↑ Palm Springs Visitors Center. "Coachella Valley Feature Film Production 1920-2011". Filming in Palm Springs. Palm Springs, CA. Retrieved October 1, 2012. ♦ Download (Downloadable PDF file)
- ↑ "Unknown - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2007-10-13.
- ↑ "Unknown (2006): Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2007-10-13.
External links
- Unknown at the Internet Movie Database
- Unknown at AllMovie
- Unknown at Rotten Tomatoes
- Unknown at Metacritic
- Unknown at Box Office Mojo