Persons Unknown

The plot of this film is rather weak, and too many of the supporting characters come across as cliches rather than real people. (If I never see another killer in a long, black raincoat on a hot day, I'll die a happy man).

But Naomi Watts and Joe Mantegna both beautifully transcend this material, in a wonderful, understated love story. The usual histrionics of a paralyzed woman in love are left out, and instead we get some genuine, gritty dialogue, and the sense that there are two real people reaching out to each other. She is no blushing, helpless cripple, and meets him head-on, as when she asks him if he's one of those men who're drawn to women in wheelchairs, or who only get turned on by women who can't feel sex. Both actors put their all into this scene, without overplaying it, and draw you right into their story.

The ending is adult, rather than trite, and avoids most of the usual cliches; unfortunately, not all.

I found this an absorbing movie, and highly recommend it for a snowbound afternoon.

Around 1997 while flicking through cable channels I caught the pier scene in this movie and was instantly hooked. The blonde actress in the wheel chair had an incredible presence even just in profile. I did not know who the actress was but immediately wanted to. I checked and she was Naomi Watts (Jet Girl from "Tank Girl" ?). From that moment I was certain that she was destined to become a star. And it sure looked that way in 1997 as a rising young ingenue.

But then for three years her career lost all momentum and sank into a series of minor roles in forgettable movies punctuated by huge gaps of unemployment before David Lynch pitched her that fast ball over the middle she had been waiting for (at precisely the moment she was set to give up and become a yoga instructor) in "Mulholland Drive" that she hit out of the ballpark.

This is a good, solid, noir film of three people who have screwed up their lives with carelessness and substance abuse desperately seeking another chance. I would like it on DVD. It holds up well with levels revealed with each viewing (the subtleties of the scene where Joe Mantegna first buys the sisters lunch...).

This is about a heist gone bad, and Joe Mantagna does his usual adequate job, perhaps not quite as animated as he is in "Jerry and Tom". It may not move along fast enough for some viewers, and the downbeat score keeps it low key. A lot of time is spent on his relationhips with the 2 sisters involved in the heist. But the plot gets interesting, and it's worth a few rental bucks. It's better than Portraits of a Killer, but not quite as good as Route 9 or Phoenix.

Ex-cop Jimmy has a one night stand with Amanda but begin to suspects that she had alterative motives when he notices his files have been moved. He begins to follow her and finds that she is part of a gang planning a robbery on a garage. When they carry out the robbery, Jimmy steals their money from storage. When the gang begin to turn up dead Jimmy offers to help Amanda and her sister, however with the drug runners, DEA and a corrupt cop on their trail he finds it a difficult proposition.

The story is not out of the ordinary, robbery goes wrong followed by double cross after double cross. However it is still quite clever and compelling. This is mainly due to the good characters in the film and the back story they have. The action is good as well but it is the back story and complexities of Jimmy, Amanda and Molly that make the film that bit more interesting.

Joe Mantegna has class in bucket loads and is great here as the alarm installer with a past. Kelly Lynch is a bit hammy as Amanda but is good for the majority. Watts as Amanda's sister Molly is also good with a strong character. Strong support also comes in quality form from the like of Xander Berkley and J.T. Walsh.

Overall this is a moody noir that draws strength from it's strong characters. The story may not be too different from the standard noir plot but it is delivered in a dark fashion.

An above average script that only occasionally gets off track, and some truly intriguing actors, including Joe Mantegna, Jon Favreau, J.T. Walsh, Naomi Watts, and Kelly Lynch. The soundtrack is eerie and great. There is some welcome humor, and a budding romance. Rewatchablity seems likely and all this adds up to strong entertainment value. The only weak points are the villains, with the exception of J.T.Walsh, who come across as nothing more than cartoon-like characters. Strong character development and plot takes the place of the usual car chases and explosions. "Persons Unknown" is worth seeking out, especially if you are a fan of twisty plotted films like "Red Rock West" or "Clay Pigeons" - MERK