Theo Robertson 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

George Parker B-flick. A bunch of people after a bunch of money. Sound familiar? "Persons Unknown" tells of an ex-cop with an unreconciled past who falls in with a couple of babes resulting in a tiny bit of sex, a little bit of action, and a big fat bit of drama. Though the film smacks of the usual Hollywood contrivances, such as killing off all the unnecessary characters as an easy fix for dangling loose ends, it does manage to develop interesting relationships between the principals. Is this a good movie? Probably not. It is worth watching? If you're into crime dramas and happen upon it on cable, probably so. If nothing else you'll get Matenga, Lynch, Watts, some early Hickenlooper, and the option of surfing on. (C+)

fgunther The plot of this film is rather weak, and too many of the supporting characters come across as cliches rather than real people. (If I never see another killer in a long, black raincoat on a hot day, I'll die a happy man).But Naomi Watts and Joe Mantegna both beautifully transcend this material, in a wonderful, understated love story. The usual histrionics of a paralyzed woman in love are left out, and instead we get some genuine, gritty dialogue, and the sense that there are two real people reaching out to each other. She is no blushing, helpless cripple, and meets him head-on, as when she asks him if he's one of those men who're drawn to women in wheelchairs, or who only get turned on by women who can't feel sex. Both actors put their all into this scene, without overplaying it, and draw you right into their story.The ending is adult, rather than trite, and avoids most of the usual cliches; unfortunately, not all.I found this an absorbing movie, and highly recommend it for a snowbound afternoon.

Bob7 This is about a heist gone bad, and Joe Mantagna does his usual adequate job, perhaps not quite as animated as he is in "Jerry and Tom". It may not move along fast enough for some viewers, and the downbeat score keeps it low key. A lot of time is spent on his relationhips with the 2 sisters involved in the heist. But the plot gets interesting, and it's worth a few rental bucks. It's better than Portraits of a Killer, but not quite as good as Route 9 or Phoenix.