A Complete Unknown

A Complete Unknown by James Mangold is a psychological drama that explores identity and life choices through the relationship between two very different characters. The film follows Tom (played by Hugh Jackman), a successful man who lives a well-structured life but feels that something is missing. His existence changes radically when he meets a mysterious woman, Alice (played by Michelle Williams), during a dinner. Alice is not who she seems to be: she is an unknown person, a person who has lived multiple lives, assuming different identities over the years.
Tom is fascinated by Alice, her ability to constantly reinvent herself and the mystery that surrounds her. The woman, in fact, has abandoned her past and built new personalities to escape from something or someone, but this entails a continuous escape from herself. Their relationship develops in a context of growing tension, where Tom realizes that his vision of life, stability and identity may be just a facade.
The film explores themes such as self-search, fear of change and difficulty in accepting one’s reality. The figure of Alice represents the embodiment of uncertainty and transformation, but also of the loneliness of those who choose to escape from social ties and conventions. As Tom gets closer to her, the conflict between the desire for adventure and the need for stability emerges, leading to a deep reflection on the choices that shape individuals' lives. Mangold’s direction and the performances of Jackman and Williams make A Complete Unknown a fascinating exploration of psychological and relational dynamics.