A problem with thrillers from the mid 1990s is how much they try to emulate the stylised film noir of Tarantino . PERSONS UNKNOWN is a case in point . Disgraced cop Jim Holland works as a security expert , has a one night stand with a woman he literally bumps into , realises he may have been stitched up then tracks her down to find out what her game is . Not a very original plot but at least it`s a movie with a plot . Where it fails to a certain extent is through some plot holes the screenwriter didn`t seem to notice but the audience certainly will
!!!!!SLIGHT SPOILERS !!!!
The problem starts when Holland confides to his buddy on the force that he needs details on this girl . Big mistake number one since his buddy also makes a note of her name in an all too obvious plot point . It turns out this woman has stolen the security details of a crack house she and her friends go and rob . Holland who has been spying on the robbers then rips them off by stealing the money they`ve stolen and buys a new boat with the proceeds . Big mistake number two as buddy cop puts two and two together and realises what`s happened and so teams up with some very annoyed Columbians who want their money back . I guess if Jack had been more careful and discreet his friend wouldn`t have turned traitor , but that meant the plot wouldn`t been put in gear
I won`t criticise these plot holes too much because PERSONS UNKNOWN isn`t a bad film . It`s no masterpiece but as everyone has mentioned it`s very enjoyable in a violent and bleak way and has a superb soundtrack courtesy of Ed Tomney . Remember Jan Hammer`s synth music for MAIMI VICE ? That`s what it resembles in this film and is very haunting . Also very memorable is Jon Favreau`s performance as Terry an absolute whacko robber who unfortunately isn`t on screen long enough for my liking
An entertaining nihilistic thriller that may well be remembered in the future for Naomi Watts in an early role
!!!!!SLIGHT SPOILERS !!!!
The problem starts when Holland confides to his buddy on the force that he needs details on this girl . Big mistake number one since his buddy also makes a note of her name in an all too obvious plot point . It turns out this woman has stolen the security details of a crack house she and her friends go and rob . Holland who has been spying on the robbers then rips them off by stealing the money they`ve stolen and buys a new boat with the proceeds . Big mistake number two as buddy cop puts two and two together and realises what`s happened and so teams up with some very annoyed Columbians who want their money back . I guess if Jack had been more careful and discreet his friend wouldn`t have turned traitor , but that meant the plot wouldn`t been put in gear
I won`t criticise these plot holes too much because PERSONS UNKNOWN isn`t a bad film . It`s no masterpiece but as everyone has mentioned it`s very enjoyable in a violent and bleak way and has a superb soundtrack courtesy of Ed Tomney . Remember Jan Hammer`s synth music for MAIMI VICE ? That`s what it resembles in this film and is very haunting . Also very memorable is Jon Favreau`s performance as Terry an absolute whacko robber who unfortunately isn`t on screen long enough for my liking
An entertaining nihilistic thriller that may well be remembered in the future for Naomi Watts in an early role