Today’s quick review: Unforgettable. Haunted by the unsolved murder of his wife, Dr. David Krane (Ray Liotta), a medical examiner for the Seattle Police Department, turns to an experimental drug invented by Dr. Martha Briggs (Linda Fiorentino) that allows him to relive his wife’s dying memories. The drug gives David a glimpse of the killer but takes a toll on his body and mind. Now David must decide how far he is willing to go to get his revenge.
Unforgettable is a crime drama with science fiction elements. Unforgettable follows David Krane as he obsessively investigates his wife’s murder, jeopardizing his health, his psyche, and his career to get the answers he needs. The catalyst for the plot is a drug that lets the user experience the memories of the dead. Unforgettable does a good job of working this concept in with the standard mystery template but still has a hard time standing out.
Unforgettable fares best with its story. It begins with the usual ingredients for a murder mystery: an unsolved crime, a determined protagonist, and a couple of twists to send the investigation down a different path. The introduction of Briggs’ drug complements these basic ingredients both by giving David access to a new source of information and exacting a price for doing so. The result is a solidly constructed story from start to finish.
Even so, Unforgettable does not have the brilliant ideas or sharp writing needed to stand out from the pack. The mystery does not have any more depth to it than other thrillers, apart from David’s willingness to take chances to get what he wants. The movie is cautious with Briggs’ drug, using it only for the main mystery and not exploring the full implications of its existence. This caution keeps the movie from doing anything that would have a real impact.
Unforgettable is a solid pick for those in the mood for a mystery with a somewhat dark tone and its own unique hook. Unforgettable plays it safe when it comes to its premise, opting for a grounded mystery rather than full-blown sci-fi. Those willing to accept this compromise will find the movie to be a competent, if unexceptional, crime movie. Those hoping for a more inventive story will want to look elsewhere.
For a dark science fiction movie that explores a similar premise in more depth, try The Final Cut. For a sci-fi heist movie that offers a bolder take on getting inside another person’s mind, try Inception. For an action thriller about a man using experimental technology to solve a crime, try Deja Vu. For a more conventional thriller about a man trying to solve his wife’s murder, try The Fugitive.
6.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a solid plot that plays things a little too safe.