The Unknown Woman

From its silly treatment of prostitution and sexual bondage you’d never imagine that Giuseppe Tornatore, the same director who created the magnificent "Cinema Paradiso," made "The Unknown Woman." Disparities widen as a misjudged story unfolds about Irena (played by Xenia Rappoport), a Russian immerge living in Italy were she was kidnapped into a vile prostitution ring and she made to birth children to be sold on the black market. Now free of her sexual servitude, middle-aged Irena goes to great lengths to become a maid to an affluent couple that adopted her daughter, in an effort to regain connection with the girl, if not steal her away. Tornatore co-wrote the script as a suspense thriller puzzle, but comes away with an annoying movie that defies logic and defeats empathy.

Rated R, 118 mins. (C-)