Complete Unknown

IFC Films | Release Date: August 26, 2016

6.2	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Ratings

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NightReviewsFeb 9, 2017

Living in a world such as today’s, its no wonder how some people might want to just decide to up and leave their lives; their loved ones and the world’s that they know all so well. With the expansion of social media, the rapid decline ofLiving in a world such as today’s, its no wonder how some people might want to just decide to up and leave their lives; their loved ones and the world’s that they know all so well. With the expansion of social media, the rapid decline of privacy and our world’s natural ability to connect people almost effortlessly, picking up and taking off may seem like a suitable alternative. Yet, the newest film from Maria Full of Grace director Joshua Marston offers many promises about the idea of false identities, femme fatales and of course, the illusion and perception of strangers. Complete Unknown is a very dry, empty and almost didactic film about the essence of strangers, friends, family and oneself and the true meaning of self and the people we think we know and surround ourselves with everyday. Even if we tried, giving away too much of the film is almost impossible, especially if you’ve already seen the trailer to this highly deceptive and promising feature. Unfortunately, the big reveal and climax of the film comes way too early in the film (which is also spoiled in the trailer) and the majority of the film is basically a reunion between two lost lovers who spend a birthday evening catching up. The birthday boy, Tom (Michael Shannon) is surprised when his good friend and business partner brings an unexpected guest date to his quaint birthday gathering in his lovely New York brownstone. When Tom’s business partner Clyde (Michael Churns), brings Alice (Rachel Weisz) as his date to Tom’s birthday party, Clyde is under the impression that Alice is just a coincidental beauty who enjoys the food of their local business cafeteria and who he has made an uncanny connection with. Unknown to him at the time, Alice, whose name is really Jennifer, is a long-lost flame of Tom’s. Jennifer, who, fifteen years ago, walked away on her loved ones and family, and pursued a life as a drifter and civilian of the world, decides, after he life abroad, that her story with Tom isn’t quite finished. Assisting in hospitals as a nurse, becoming a test subject and entertaining for magicians, and studying a very rare type of frog in a nearby New York laboratory, Alice’s passions, hobbies and professions add the to complete enigma that is Alice.
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Early on, it is revealed to the audience as well as the guests of Tom’s birthday party that Alice is a compulsive liar who is addicted to the idea of mis-identity and role playing. Her obsession of “living a thousand lives” becomes a very disturbing account of the many passions, desires and thoughts of countless people, who never really are able to live such fantasies out. Yet, as the film progresses and the dialogue builds, Alice’s motives and decision for walking out on Tom becomes as clear a foggy day in London. Even when the reveal of Alice’s true identity of Jenny is made clear, director and writer Marston spends very little effort explaining her pathologically disturbing behaviour to Tom, or the audience. In essence, Jenny’s rationale is a complete unknown, even given her very short family background.

Marston, who covered a very pressing social issue in Maria Full of Grace takes on a complete original work with fellow screenwriter Jualian Sheppard, that is anything but original, and takes too many cues from Mike Nichols’ Closer; Natalie Portman’s alias’ name in the film; the theme of mis-identity and of course, a very powerful and iconic final scene in which our main protagonists are walking amongst many people on a street, being the only individual visible in a crowd of blurred faces.

Complete Unknown is a film that really asks many questions, yet only deals with the questions Tom has for Jenny, and the many answers she keeps flipping around as the film progresses. One of the most interesting aspects of the film is quite actually, the casting. Shannon, who is a veteran actor, has a very powerful range of mournful facial expressions that speak volumes. While Weisz, who is nothing short of alluring, has a natural beauty that is quite forgiving, disarming yet also very engaging once opened up. Weisz and Shannon’s chemistry is one of the few things that are hard to ignore in the film, yet, these two amazingly versatile and talented actors really can’t save a film that could have played better as a short film.

As Jenny’s character reveals to Tom in the fourth act of the film, life allows you to be anyone you really want to be. All it takes is a complete unemotional detachment from the people you love most and some distance from the people who “think” that know you, and you can put yourself anywhere in the world and be anyone you want to be. Yet, with each and every very anti-climatic reveal, we become in engaged in the very distorted reality of Jenny’s world, an almost intoxicating look at the ability to shape, mould and form yourself into anyone at all, yet no one really.… Expand

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SpangleOct 27, 2016

Far too low-key to be anything incredible, Complete Unknown appears to have been quite divisive amongst critics, while entirely despised by audiences (27%! on Rotten Tomatoes from the audience right now). For me, I am apparently one of theFar too low-key to be anything incredible, Complete Unknown appears to have been quite divisive amongst critics, while entirely despised by audiences (27%! on Rotten Tomatoes from the audience right now). For me, I am apparently one of the few who actually found Complete Unknown to be entirely riveting. Far from a conventional mystery, Complete Unknown tells the story of a woman, Alice (Rachel Weisz), and her reunion with her old boyfriend Tom (Michael Shannon). Having gone 15 years without contact after Alice (then Jenny) dropped off the face of the Earth, Complete Unknown is a film whose mystery is not a crime. Rather, its mystery is who is Alice? What is her past?

A woman who cycles through identities whenever bored, Alice could be written off as merely yet another unlikable protagonist. Yet, it is in fact a story of transformation. For Alice, a woman who is deeply unhappy in her own skin, changing her identity and location grants her a new lease on life. Yes, she burns bridges and many write her off as a pathological liar, but at the center of her is a woman looking to find herself and where she truly belongs. Having tried a buffet of personalities and careers, the film manages to actually be quite harrowing as a character study into this troubled woman. Initially, we - much like the supporting cast - despise her and are confused about why she is lying left and right. It is only later that we realize this is not merely some mystery thriller about a mysterious woman. Rather, it is a tragedy. It is a tragedy about somebody searching for themselves and failing to come up with a suitable answer.

it is for this very reason that the ending is what it is and also why many reject this film. Audiences demand clarity and satisfaction from an ending. Complete Unknown leaves more questions than answers. Though the ending sequence is brilliant with a terrific use of focus racking from director Joshua Marston to visually show us Alice transforming and starting anew, it is far from gratifying as a viewer. This may not bother me personally, but many will find fault with this type of conclusion. Yet, what more can be asked of a woman who frequently drops her life and leaves without a trace? Much like the other characters, they are left with no answers and clueless as to who and where she will be next.

Though an incredibly short film, Complete Unknown develops Alice's character incredibly well, while also doing a good job developing the character of Tom. A disenchanted man who feels himself failing at a job that provides no rewards, his wife - Ramina (Azita Ghanizada) - is set to head to jewelry school across the country. Yet, he is uncertain whether he wants to stay at his dead end job or follow his apparently dead end marriage to California. Similarly to Alice's story, the audience is left not knowing what will happen to Tom. However, this really adds to the mystery and the discussion. For both of our characters, their lives are wholly unsatisfactory. Though in different ways, both are still trying to find themselves and identify what they are meant to be doing in life. This is not something that can be concluded in a film, nor are there any answers that our characters have as of yet. It is here that Complete Unknown is elevated from unremarkable indie film to a thoroughly compelling film that deserves to have an audience.

Featuring good lead performances from Rachel Weisz and Michael Shannon as always, Complete Unknown is an unpredictable and unsatisfactory experience. Those searching for clarity will find none and left hating the film. Those willing to go along with the film and embrace the mystery of life will find that what the film lacks in answers, it more than makes up for it an expertly crafted character study about two tragic figures on the path to nowhere.… Expand

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Compi24Aug 30, 2016

Aside from the two engaging lead performances from Rachel Weisz and Michael Shannon, Joshua Marston's "Complete Unknown" is an ultimately unsatisfying watch. Barely treading water with its glacial pacing and occasionally painful dialogue, theAside from the two engaging lead performances from Rachel Weisz and Michael Shannon, Joshua Marston's "Complete Unknown" is an ultimately unsatisfying watch. Barely treading water with its glacial pacing and occasionally painful dialogue, the film aims for thematic fences and lands somewhere in between there and home plate, briefly scratching the surfaces at hand, but never really delving anywhere deeper than that. Unless you're a fan of challenging mood pieces or any of the director's previous works, I'd say proceed with cautious optimism.… Expand

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LeZeeFeb 4, 2018

A woman with many faces!

No doubt this was wrongly labelled as an average film. The title, the story, the performances, all stood to my expectation. I jumped into it prepared for another boring film. Indeed, it was a slow narration, at leastA woman with many faces!

No doubt this was wrongly labelled as an average film. The title, the story, the performances, all stood to my expectation. I jumped into it prepared for another boring film. Indeed, it was a slow narration, at least in the initial parts. That twist in the early mid sect unleashed the bright side of the tale. Not knowing what to expect, I thoroughly got entertained for the rest of the film.

It all was a day event. In fact, most of the story happened on one night. Though for a brief moment in the opening, they have shown us events from the different timelines. Just to convince us. Alice, who befriended a man while in the lunch, decides to attend a birthday party of his friend with him. But that night the things change as some secrets about her was revealed. Then event takes a different path with different adventure revealing more about about her.

Yeah, everybody saying they saw it for Shannon, but for me, Rachel Weisz the reason the film looked so good. It is one of the underrated film of the year. It was unique. Probably less familiarity compared to any film. So not easy to predict the story. The suspense made me so curious and kept my eyes wide open till the end. I would like to see the other side of the story, probably in another film/part/sequel. Seems that's a very interesting aspect. Don't consider what the film critics say, it's definitely worth a watch.

7/10… Expand

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