COMPLETE UNKNOWN


A film that tries to pile on romantic suspense, “Complete Unknown,” directed by Joshua Marston, annoyingly adds up to nothing we need care about. What interest it holds is due to its two stars, Rachel Weisz and Michael Shannon, but they are burdened by a cumbersome plot.

Shannon as Tom is married to Azita Ghanizada as Ramina. At Tom’s birthday party, Weisz as Alice turns up by virtue of having made friends with an acquaintance of Tom and Ramina. There are penetrating looks. In younger days Tom and Alice were an item until she disappeared. It is clear that she is trouble, a femme fatale that anyone with good sense would avoid despite her sexuality.

Now she has seductive designs on Tom again. Her past, as she confides, involved legions of men. She supposedly has traveled the world under different identities. But what can he or we believe about her tales? Alice’s oozes vibes of mystery that makes one weigh whatever she says with skepticism.

But Alice’s come-hither sexuality and potential new-leaf devotion are tempting and Tom, although cautious, seems vulnerable. They leave the party and wander about talking, talking, talking. Their interaction poses the question of whether Tom will leave his wife and go off with Alice into a renewed relationship, or whether he will have more sense and let Alice start anew under yet another identity. Reviewed August 26, 2016.




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