Complete Unknown 2016
Directed by
Joshua Marston
Made by
IFC Films
Plot Summary
A woman navigates through a maze of varied lives, adopting different aliases in numerous cities. In the hustle and bustle of New York City, she orchestrates a chance meeting with Clyde at a local cafeteria, presenting herself as Alice, a biologist passionately studying frogs and recently back from an extensive project in Tasmania.
Meanwhile, Clyde’s friend, Tom, is busy prepping for a birthday celebration with his wife, Ramina, who aspires to be a jewelry designer. Alice expresses her desire to meet new friends, prompting Tom to invite her to the party. There, she captivates Ramina and other guests with fascinating stories about her life and expeditions in Tasmania. Upon returning home, Tom appears to recognize her and calls her “Jenny.” Ramina shares exciting news about being accepted into a renowned jewelry design fellowship in California, much to Tom’s surprise. During dinner, Alice recounts her impulsive choice to live in Mexico for a year, a revelation that prompts unsettling questions about her life decisions from fellow guests.
Later, Tom confronts Alice, who confesses that she is indeed Jenny, an old college girlfriend who vanished years ago. She reveals a life spent in a multitude of assumed identities, leaving each behind whenever she feels confined. Her visit to New York is rooted in a desire to reconnect with Tom, someone from her past.
The evening takes them to a nightclub, where Alice performs a magic trick for Tom, claiming she learned it during her stint as a magician’s assistant in China. This revelation raises suspicions among Tom and the others about the authenticity of her tales. After leaving the club, they encounter a woman named Nina walking her dog. When Nina injures her ankle, they lend a helping hand to escort her back to her apartment, where Alice claims to be a pediatric surgeon. At Roger’s suggestion, Tom examines Nina, at which point he starts to grasp the thrill that Alice experiences from living in disguise, but soon feels discomfort, leading them to depart.
Tom questions Alice about her honesty, to which she reassures him that she genuinely works with animals. She then takes him to Long Island for a glimpse of her work with frog hatchlings. Later, as Alice prepares to leave for yet another new identity, she invites Tom to join her, but he declines. Returning home, he engages in conversation with his wife about California.
In a poignant moment at a public restroom, Alice discards her credit cards, retaining only her driver’s license, which finds a place in a scrapbook filled with remnants of her former selves. With a newfound determination, she steps away into the throng of people, only to reemerge, donned in different attire, embodying her latest identity.
Timeline
Alice's Arrival in NYC
A woman known as Alice arrives in New York City from Tasmania. She adopts the alias of a biologist studying frogs, initiating her journey through various lives in the bustling metropolis.
Chance Meeting with Clyde
While in a local cafeteria, Alice orchestrates a chance meeting with Clyde. This encounter marks the beginning of her re-engagement with old friends and the unfolding of her complex past.
Tom's Birthday Celebration
Clyde's friend Tom is busy preparing for his wife's birthday celebration. He extends an invitation to Alice, who shows a keen interest in meeting new friends and becoming part of their lives.
Captivating Stories at the Party
At Tom's birthday party, Alice enthralls the guests with captivating tales of her life and expeditions in Tasmania. Her stories intrigue Ramina and others, planting the seeds of curiosity about her true identity.
Recognition of 'Jenny'
After returning home from the party, Tom seems to recognize Alice and calls her 'Jenny.' This moment unearths a connection to Alice's past, igniting curiosity and questions among the friends.
Ramina's Exciting News
Ramina shares her ecstatic news about being selected for a prestigious jewelry design fellowship in California. This announcement adds an unexpected twist to the evening, prompting mixed emotions among the friends.
Confession of True Identity
Tom confronts Alice, leading to her confession of being Jenny, an old college girlfriend who disappeared years ago. This reveals her pattern of assuming new identities whenever she feels trapped.
Magic Trick at the Nightclub
Later, Alice takes Tom to a nightclub where she performs a magic trick, claiming to have learned it from her time as a magician’s assistant in China. This performance raises further suspicions about her many identities.
Helping Nina
After leaving the club, the group encounters Nina, who injures her ankle. They assist her back to her apartment, where Alice adopts yet another alias, claiming to be a pediatric surgeon.
Tom's Realization
Encouraged by Roger, Tom examines Nina but begins to grasp the thrill that Alice finds in living under different identities. His discomfort with the situation prompts them to leave, deepening his thoughts on Alice’s lifestyle.
Honesty and Assurance
Tom questions Alice’s honesty about her life choices. In a bid to reassure him, she confirms her genuine work with animals and takes him to Long Island to witness her work with frog hatchlings.
Invitation to Join Her Journey
As Alice prepares to leave for another new identity, she invites Tom to accompany her. However, Tom declines, reflecting on their connection and the life he shares with Ramina.
Alice's Transformation
In a poignant moment at a public restroom, Alice discards her credit cards, keeping only her driver’s license. She reflects on her past and steps away from her life as Alice, embodying her next identity.
New Identity Emerges
With renewed determination, Alice leaves the restroom and blends into the crowd. She reemerges in different attire, symbolizing her latest transformation and commitment to her nomadic lifestyle.
Characters
Alice
Alice is a multifaceted character who embodies the essence of reinvention. A biologist at heart, her passion extends beyond her profession to a deeper longing for connection and understanding. Throughout the film, her charm and storytelling prowess draw people in, while her evasive nature raises questions about her past and motivations.
Clyde
Clyde serves as the unsuspecting recipient of Alice's charm and manipulation. His interactions with her grant insight into the allure of her diverse narratives. Though initially drawn to her adventurous spirit, he grapples with unease as the true nature of her identity comes to light.
Tom
Tom is a well-meaning friend, balancing his life as a husband and party planner with the weight of his past relationship with Alice. His curiosity and skepticism propel the narrative forward as he attempts to reconcile the person he knew with the enigma Alice presents. His journey reflects the struggle of confronting lost connections and the lingering shadows of the past.
Ramina
Ramina is Tom's supportive wife, who captures the essence of ambition and aspiration. Her excitement about her jewelry design fellowship represents hope and potential. Through her interactions with Alice, Ramina's perspective shifts, prompting her to question her own expectations and desires.
Setting
Time period
The movie appears to be set in contemporary times, where the complexities of modern life and relationships are navigated by the characters. This reflects the fast-paced lifestyle of urban centers like New York City and the evolving aspirations of individuals in today's society.
Location
New York City, Long Island, Mexico, Tasmania, California
New York City serves as the bustling backdrop for Alice's intricate web of identities, known for its vibrant life, diverse cultures, and iconic landmarks. Long Island, with its beautiful coastlines, offers a serene escape for Alice's biological pursuits. The allure of Tasmania and Mexico speak to her adventurous spirit, revealing her desire for exploration and self-discovery. California represents new beginnings, a place of aspiration and transformation.
Themes
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Identity
Identity serves as a central theme in 'Complete Unknown,' where the protagonist, Alice, constantly adopts new personas to escape her past. This exploration raises questions about authenticity and the masks people wear in society. Alice's journey reflects the complex nature of self-discovery and the human tendency to reinvent oneself.
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Celebration
The theme of celebration permeates the story, as Tom's birthday party acts as a catalyst for connections and revelations. It highlights how gatherings can unveil hidden truths and foster new relationships, even among strangers. The evening fosters a unique blend of joy and unease, amplifying the impact of Alice's presence.
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Intrigue
Intrigue is a compelling theme as Alice navigates her myriad identities. Her mysterious background captivates those around her, leading to a mix of fascination and suspicion. This tension propels the narrative, inviting viewers to ponder the reality behind her stories and the consequences of living a life shrouded in secrecy.
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