Persons Unknown

A film review by Christopher Null - Copyright © 2006 Filmcritic.com

While I futilely try to figure out the ending of Persons Unknown means, I'm left to wonder why this film saw no real theatrical release, and why it took 11 years to make it to DVD. Maybe the fact that it's fairly ludicrous or nonsensical? The circuitous plot gives us a kind of cool beginning, with a security pro (Joe Mantegna) being hustled by a girl (Kelly Lynch) who's heading up a big heist. Eventually he tracks her down, figures out what's going on, runs off with their loot, and watches bodies pile up in the mountains. The last half of the film is alternately filled with typical shoot 'em up/run 'em down scenes and kind of silly plot twists. The top shelf cast is uniformly wasted, including Naomi Watts in an early role.

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Rating

2.0 out of 5 Stars

Cast and Crew

  • Director: George Hickenlooper
  • Producer: David Lancaster
  • Screenwriter: Craig Smith
  • Stars: Joe Mantegna, Kelly Lynch, Naomi Watts, J.T. Walsh, Xander Berkeley, Jon Favreau
  • MPAA Rating: R