MESSAGE IN THE MOVIES

Unknown Rated PG-13

Photo © 2011 Warner Bros. Pictures
Movie Review by Rev. Bruce Batchelor Glader

 I think that it is safe to say that there’s not much new that you can do with the thriller format, except to do it well.  Unknown is a good thriller because it takes familiar themes from other films (The Bourne Identity, Taken, and a number of Hitchcock films about mistaken identity) and mixes them together for an entertaining movie.  Most of the credit should go to Liam Neeson, who is becoming a strong presence in action films, able to take over the vengeance-seeking angry guy roles previously owned by Mel Gibson. 

In this movie Neeson is Dr. Martin Harris, a botanist on his way to a conference in Berlin with his wife Elizabeth (January Jones).  When he realizes he has left his briefcase at the airport, Martin hails a cab to get the luggage.  The taxi is involved in an accident that plunges it into the river.  He is rescued by the taxi driver (Kruger) and winds up in the hospital in a coma.  When Martin comes to, he soon discovers that not only is he a man without an identity (his wallet is missing), but that there is another man at the conference (Aidan Quinn) who says that he is Dr. Martin Harris and Elizabeth doesn’t seem to recognize him. 

What’s going on here?  The complicated plot is not as confusing as some films with tricky storylines and, since we are following Martin’s investigation, we get new information as soon as Martin does, which means that Unknown plays fair with the audience.  There are a lot of great supporting actors, a couple of great car chases, and nice location shooting in Berlin. 

The film also raises the questions about how much of our identity is formed by external circumstances, and whether or not redemption is possible when we come to turns with the dark forces around us. 

As Christians we believe that this is so; it’s fun to see this theological theme in a popular popcorn movie.  When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord, we claim to be identified with Him; we are not above times of amnesia when we forget where our true identity lies. 

Sure, halfway out the door of the multiplex my wife and I started picking at holes in Unknown’s logic, but we both had a good time with a familiar genre.  At least, I think that’s how I remember it.



Pitchfork/Halo Ratings:
Two halos.
An entertaining film that is also a reflection on identity and the influence of memory.
Two pitchforks.
Violent acts, some swearing, and brief memories of showers with the missus.

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