Unknown White Male

Name: Unknown White Male
Genre: Biography, Documentary
Released: February 24, 2006
Duration: 88 min
Rating: 65
Cast: Doug Bruce

2006

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 26 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 14 Ratings

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3.9

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3.9	User Score Generally unfavorable reviews based on 14 Ratings

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Unknown White Male

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Movie Details & Credits

Wellspring Media | Release Date: February 24, 2006 | PG-13

Starring: Doug Bruce

Summary: Sometime between 8pm on July 1st and 7am on July 3rd, 2003, Doug Bruce lost himself. That morning, riding alone on a New York subway headed towards Coney Island, he could not remember his name, where he worked, who his friends were, how much money he had in his bank account. He was without his identity. Unknown White Male is the true storySometime between 8pm on July 1st and 7am on July 3rd, 2003, Doug Bruce lost himself. That morning, riding alone on a New York subway headed towards Coney Island, he could not remember his name, where he worked, who his friends were, how much money he had in his bank account. He was without his identity. Unknown White Male is the true story of how Bruce, a successful former stockbroker, struggles to learn who he was and who he will become. The documentary, produced, directed and edited by Bruce’s longtime friend, Rupert Murray, chronicles this profound journey. (Wellspring)… Expand

Director: Rupert Murray

Genre(s): Biography, Documentary

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 88 min

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Critic Reviews

Andrea Gronvall

The extraordinary subject and the filmmaker's near total access make for a singular documentary. Read full review

Peter Rainer

While I don't entirely rule out the possibility that Bruce is a hoaxster, it seems more likely that his story is one of those weird scientific anomalies that more frequently turn up as an Oliver Sacks case history. Read full review

Jami Bernard

A fascinating, somewhat frightening documentary. Read full review

Manohla Dargis

Crammed with friendly, sympathetic talking heads and pretty images of a stunned-looking Mr. Bruce, then 35, relearning life (he remembers how to walk but forgot family and friends), the film comes up frustratingly short when it comes to the particulars. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

Unknown White Male is framed as a look at the mystery of identity, but there's a bizarre neutrality to the movie, since it makes Bruce's life just as detached and remote to us as it seems to him. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

The film as a whole has the gravitas of a really thoughtful rock video.

Marjorie Baumgarten

Many are the times the viewer stares disbelievingly at the screen, furious with Murray for not asking follow-up questions or simply refusing to see the need to prove the veracity of the story. Read full review

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User Reviews

DanK.

Sep 7, 2006

While many of the criticisms of this film and Doug Bruce have some merit, for example, Murray

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RitaL.

Sep 5, 2006

A compelling documentary. The interviews were fascinating but the director often failed to elicit interesting follow throughs. The filler footage was often rather pointless, with shots of plastic bags on the street and the like. The bottom line is that this was extraordinary documentary A compelling documentary. The interviews were fascinating but the director often failed to elicit interesting follow throughs. The filler footage was often rather pointless, with shots of plastic bags on the street and the like. The bottom line is that this was extraordinary documentary material in the hands of a filmmaker with only average filmmaking skills. Nonetheless, some of it is strongly emotional. Cut down to 60 minutes, it could be much stronger.… Expand

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MorriBey

May 7, 2011

Nah. Whilst it has an excellent story the reluctance of the person to be involved in the project lets the entire documentary down. This can be seen by how the director tries to fills the void with 'vanilla sky' time lapse sequences but with an reluctant and somewhat boring subject matter. itNah. Whilst it has an excellent story the reluctance of the person to be involved in the project lets the entire documentary down. This can be seen by how the director tries to fills the void with 'vanilla sky' time lapse sequences but with an reluctant and somewhat boring subject matter. it fails to pass as a documentary worthy of even a final film student.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Alex

Feb 23, 2006

Unconvincing, in the extreme.

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[Anonymous]

Mar 12, 2006

Even if it wasn't a hoax, it felt like reality TV at its most hokey.

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HerbertA.

May 15, 2007

Pretty fake in my opinion because he forgets some cute concepts( the taste of chocolate) and yet retains the understanding of some very complex concepts, such as governing, value of money, friendship and so on.

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BenJ.

Oct 1, 2006

While the film was well constructed -- it was very much presented as if the subjects case of amnesia were authentic; briefly mentioning false cases exist without exploring the possibility in this instance. Case-in-point: the subject could not recall people, places, or the taste of any food While the film was well constructed -- it was very much presented as if the subjects case of amnesia were authentic; briefly mentioning false cases exist without exploring the possibility in this instance. Case-in-point: the subject could not recall people, places, or the taste of any food -- re-learning what a strawberry was in one scene. Interestingly, the ability to speak, read, write, etc. are all intact. Hmmmmm.… Expand

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