It has been a long wait for another film from Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore after his successful CINEMA PARADISO and EVERBODY’S FINE.  Following several flops such as the epic STORY OF 1900 and MALENA, AN UNKNOWN WOMAN is a worthy return of a director known for his sentiment, nostalgia and melodramatics.  AN UNKNOWN WOMAN contains elements of his past films, but at least Tornatore is in more control in his story of a woman with a terrible abused past.

It all seems superfluous but poor Russian Irena (Xenia Rappaport) has been sexually abused as a prostitute and have had all her babies stolen from her.  She has escaped and works with an affluent Italian family, but with an ulterior motive with in mind.  She believes their kid (Clara Dossena) to be hers.

With such a wide agenda, Tornatore is able to keep his film afloat with interest and intrigue.  Still he adds in more as the child’s illness – a rare form which could render her dead if she falls and injures herself.  Tornatore reveals more of Irena’s past and the film unfolds.

Tornatore keeps the sentiment under control this time (compare CINEMA PARADISO) and only at the very end of the film, does it show.  He demonstrates his ability to build suspense (Irena taking a number waiting for her turn at a key maker), ambiguity (the affluent and silent husband) and nastiness (the disturbing kid abuse scenes).  Rappaport is marvelous as the unknown woman with the shady past.  She is able to affect the audience to feel for her – though not to the extent of some of her deeds.  (She requests forgiveness and believes that a woman she has pushed down the stairs would understand her deed.)

AN UNKNOWN WOMAN proves that directors should venture out to try different fields.  Tornatore might not have been successful in all his efforts, but at least he can be admired for his courage.  And his films are at least offer his fans a better variety of choice.