Unknown Woman
Unknown Woman

Movie spotlight

Unknown Woman

1969
Movie
96 min
Italian

When an old lady dies two hours before her life insurance expires, the insurance lawyer suspects something dubious. He begins to investigate and he becomes the lover of the old lady's daughter...

Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Director: Richard L. BareGenres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A middle-aged woman, who has been institutionalized for twenty years due to a mental breakdown, is released into the care of her estranged family. Her return stirs up old tensions and unresolved issues, as she struggles to adjust to life outside the institution and confront the past that led to her breakdown. As she tries to rebuild her life, she uncovers dark secrets within the family that suggest her condition may not have been entirely her fault.

Critical Reception

Unknown Woman was met with mixed to negative reviews from critics upon its release. While some praised Jane Wyman's performance as the troubled protagonist, many found the plot convoluted and the pacing slow. Audience reception was similarly divided, with some viewers appreciating the dramatic elements and suspense, while others criticized its predictability and lack of resolution.

What Reviewers Say

  • Jane Wyman delivers a compelling performance as a mentally fragile woman.

  • The film's mystery elements are undermined by a predictable and somewhat muddled plot.

  • Pacing issues and a lack of emotional depth detract from the overall impact.

Google audience: Audience reviews for Unknown Woman are scarce, but available comments suggest viewers were divided. Some appreciated the suspenseful nature of the film and Wyman's acting, while others found the storyline unconvincing and the ending unsatisfying.

Fun Fact

Jane Wyman, who played the titular unknown woman, was already a well-established actress known for her Oscar-winning role in 'Johnny Belinda' (1948), another film where she portrayed a character who suffered significant hardship.

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