Movie Review: Unforgettable (2017) — A Glossy Thriller That Misses the Mark
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Director: Denise Di Novi
Starring: Katherine Heigl, Rosario Dawson, Geoff Stults, Cheryl Ladd
Runtime: 100 minutes
Release Date: April 21, 2017
Box Office: $17.8 million worldwide
Introduction
Unforgettable is a 2017 American drama thriller directed by Denise Di Novi in her directorial debut. The film stars Katherine Heigl and Rosario Dawson in a tale of jealousy, obsession, and manipulation. Despite its promising premise and talented cast, Unforgettable struggles to leave a lasting impression, offering a narrative that feels more familiar than fresh.
Plot Overview
The story centers on Julia Banks (Rosario Dawson), who moves in with her fiancé, David Connover (Geoff Stults), and his young daughter, Lily. Julia’s attempt to start anew is disrupted by David’s ex-wife, Tessa Connover (Katherine Heigl), who is unable to cope with the end of her marriage. Tessa’s jealousy spirals into a dangerous obsession, leading her to manipulate situations and people to undermine Julia’s relationship with David. As Tessa’s actions become increasingly unhinged, Julia finds herself fighting to protect her future and her sanity.
Performances
Katherine Heigl delivers a chilling performance as Tessa, portraying her descent into obsession with a controlled intensity. Rosario Dawson’s portrayal of Julia offers a grounded counterpoint, embodying a woman striving for stability amidst chaos. Geoff Stults, as David, serves more as a narrative device than a fully fleshed-out character, often reacting to the events unfolding around him rather than influencing them.
Direction and Cinematography
Denise Di Novi’s direction presents a polished aesthetic, with cinematographer Caleb Deschanel capturing the opulence of the film’s settings. However, the visual gloss often contrasts with the darker themes of the narrative, creating a dissonance that undermines the film’s tension. The pacing is uneven, with moments of suspense diluted by predictable plot developments.
Themes and Symbolism
Unforgettable explores themes of obsession, control, and the impact of past traumas on present behavior. Tessa’s actions are influenced by her strained relationship with her own mother, suggesting a cycle of emotional manipulation and perfectionism. The film attempts to delve into the psychological underpinnings of its characters but often resorts to surface-level dramatics instead of nuanced exploration.
Critical Reception
The film received predominantly negative reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, Unforgettable holds an approval rating of 28% based on 119 reviews, with an average rating of 4.00/10. The site’s critical consensus reads: “Unforgettable’s talented cast makes this domestic thriller consistently watchable, even if its failure to fully embrace its premise’s campy possibilities prevents it from living up to its title.”
Metacritic reports a score of 45 out of 100, indicating “mixed or average reviews.”
Some critics noted the film’s potential for camp appeal. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian described it as “a cheerfully outrageous gloss-trash erotic noir in the style that legendary screenwriter Joe Eszterhas used to crank out so lucratively in the 80s and 90s.”
However, others criticized its lack of originality and depth. Neil Genzlinger of The New York Times commented: “It’s woman in jeopardy meets woman on the verge, a reductive brand of thriller from another decade, freshened here only with the addition of a plot element involving Facebook.”
Conclusion
Unforgettable aspires to be a gripping psychological thriller but falls short due to its reliance on genre clichés and lack of character development. While the performances, particularly by Heigl and Dawson, provide moments of engagement, the film’s predictable plot and uneven pacing hinder its impact. For viewers seeking a suspenseful narrative with psychological depth, Unforgettable may not deliver the lasting impression its title suggests.
Final Verdict: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
A polished yet predictable thriller that struggles to rise above its genre conventions, offering a narrative that is, ironically, quite forgettable.
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