Unknown

Liam Neeson is a scientist visiting Berlin for an international conference. When he is injured in a traffic accident Neeson is hospitalised for four days and upon his release he finds that someone else has assumed his identity and his wife does not acknowledge him.

One person he turns to for assistance is Bruno Ganz, former East German Stasi (Secret Police) Agent; a curiously ambivalent character who appears to be a 'good guy' yet who somewhat worryingly maintains a home shrine to his former employment. I was rather enjoying Ganz's performance until it suddenly dawned on me that he is the actor who played Adolf Hitler in the German film Downfall. I never saw that film but clips from it dubbed with spoof modern situations litter You Tube and have left such an indelible impression on me that I was distracted whenever he appeared from thereon. That is a pity because Ganz is excellent and plays an important role in the eventual 'reveal'.

The truly perplexing situation portrayed in Unknown sets off a high powered mystery thriller as Neeson attempts to prove his identity. The 'reveal' when it comes is a real surprise; I certainly never saw it coming. Unfortunately it only reinforced the implausibility and fanciful nature of the entire plot.

But, hey, forget plausibility. As escapist mystery thrillers go, this a high speed exhilarating journey.