Customer Reviews

Identity

5 star:		(120)
4 star:		(90)
3 star:		(33)
2 star:		(24)
1 star:		(18)

 

 

Sick and tired of those ordinary thrillers that are all fluff and very little substance? 'Identity' may be the answer that you're looking for, as it is a clever and dark thriller with a solid story, a terrific cast and a great look and feel to it all. The film revolves around ten strangers who end up at a little motel due to a horrible storm. All of them have been brought there by chance... or, is it a little more complicated than that? They think they're out of the woods until people start getting butchered left and right, in a countdown fashion. What appears to be nothing more than a murderer on the loose having his or her fun ends up being something a lot more sinister and threatening. Have these ten individuals been picked at random, or have their fates been sealed from the very beginning?

When I started watching this, I thought to myself, 'Oh boy, I bet you I know exactly how this is going to end.' I was wrong. The film takes a lot of clever and unexpected twists that really goes to show you how great a thriller can really be if the right brains are behind it all. It has some great suspense and frightening moments, an intriguing plot that likes to play around with your mind, and it delivers a very confident presentation. You'll recognize a good majority of the cast, as some of them include John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet and Rebecca DeMornay. All are great, especially Cusack who proves that he can be a successful lead role in a top-notch thriller.

The DVD has some cool goodies to offer. You can watch it in widescreen or fullscreen, depending on which is your preference. You also have the choice to watch the theatrical cut, or the extended version (not to be mistaken for a 'director's cut'). I must be honest and admit that the extended version is really not worth it. The added scene does nothing to enhance the movie and the so-called 'alternate ending' isn't alternate at all, as it is merely extended by only a few seconds. It was interesting to watch, but again it really doesn't do anything special for the film. Stick with the theatrical version, then watch the extended version if you're still curious. Trust me, the theatrical version is the way to go. Other bonuses included on the DVD are deleted scenes, commentary, storyboard comparisons, theatrical trailer, filmographies and a behind the scenes featurette. The film looks and sounds great.

'Identity' is definitely something that should be checked out by those who are tired by the usual flops that dare to call themselves 'thrillers.' This is a successful and smart thriller that offers chills along with an impressive script and cast. Just be sure to give it a chance. You may think you have it all figured out when it starts, but trust me when I tell you that this movie will play around with your brain until the ending credits. A more than well-done thriller that doesn't disappoint and is worth re-watching again and again. -Michael Crane

This is so reminding me of Brian DePalma (I remember commenting the first ten minutes into Identity). There is no doubt that director James Mangold is drawing heavily on a DePalma influence, or perhaps tapping into a Hitchcock vein. Whatever the case, this thriller is just the fix I've been after without even realizing it.

I admit to being partial to the cast. John Cusack (Ed the limo driver with a past) is an actor I will go out of my way to see any time; needless to say, he is brilliant here too. Amanda Peet, playing a hooker trying to turn her life around, brings her trademark tough smarts to the role and does a great job as always. Ray Liotta plays his usual sinister-guy-posing-as-normal character, but here it fits nicely. Rebecca DeMornay's washed-up TV star part is brief enough to nearly qualify as a cameo, but memorable. The rest of the crew complement this roundup as the assorted bunch that arrive together at the isolated motel on that fateful stormy night that a murderous evil runs amok somewhere outside - or is it inside?

Never fear, this is no mere slasher flick. This *is* a deliciously creepy Whodunit with an added slice of suspense. It is also a real psychological thriller in the old school sense. In true Hitchcockian tradition there is an underlying plot that manages to bring together the seemingly random people and events that clash so chaotically. The little clues that are dropped here and there are just intriguing enough to give us a taste for the twist that we just know is coming (why is there blood on the back of Ray's shirt just before he covers it up with his jacket? What's up with the Indian tombs outside?) Naturally, there is also a false lead or two. By the time the real killer is revealed we can click those puzzles pieces together with great satisfaction and wonder at how we didn't see the big picture all along.

If I had to compare Identity to another recent film, I would say Memento is the closest in style and quality. In any event, I'd recommend Identity to anybody who enjoys this classic thriller subgenre.

-Andrea, aka Merribelle

"Identity" is one of those psychological thrillers where you really have to pay attention or you get lost. It's an engrossing mix of creepy murder thriller and character study that draws you in quickly and doesn't let up. A group of disparate strangers winds up at an eerie run down motel in a brutal rainstorm and find themselves being picked off one by one by a mysterious killer. Meanwhile, a schizophrenic mass murderer is scheduled for execution but his psychiatrist is arguing for an insanity reprieve. The stranded strangers discover that they have odd things in common. And then there are the motel room keys left as macabre clues. A truly great cast includes John Cusack as a limo driver, Ray Liotta as a cop, Amanda Peet as a call girl, Clea Duvall as an unhappy newlywed, John Hawkes as the loopy motel "manager" and Alfred Molina as the psychiatrist with Taylor Pruitt Vance as the schizophrenic and Rebecca DeMornay in an all too brief role as a hotheaded TV star being driven by Cusack. Other actors in the cast are good too. Director James Mangold keeps things moving with no room for draggy spots and each character has secrets---their own "baggage" so to speak. How the two plots come together is truly bizarre and beautifully handled. I found the ending to be a let down, but actually it made sense in a frustrating way. So I recommend "Identity" for those who enjoy a genuinely spooky story and murder mystery with a twist. Watching the cast alone is worth watching the movie for. Good extras on the DVD, too.

A solid script backed up by a great cast, John Cusack, Ray Liotta, John c. McGinley, Alfred Molina, Amanda Peet and more, are all outstanding. Brilliantly directed by James Mangold who also directed Copland, Girl Intrerupted and Walk The Line, this is one of the best thrillers I have ever seen. To say too much about the script would possibly give it away, but in the style of the Agatha Christie's novels 'Ten Little Indians' and 'Murder on the orient express', where people start dying in suspicious circumstances and later they find out they are all connected in some way. In this movie we have ten complete strangers stranded at a desert motel for the night. Sure enough people start getting killed, there is a lot of finger pointing and plenty of twists along the way to keep the audience engaged. The music score is excellent and perfectly captures the mood of the whole movie. Special features include bonus trailers, an on the set documentary and 2 very informative and interesting commentaries. One by the director and one by the writer, the latter being the better of the two. The disc features both cinema and DVD versions, although the DVD version only includes 2 extra scenes that last no longer than 30 seconds each. The only fault I have of the movie is that it seems too much time was spent in the first half of the movie bringing the characters together and laying a foundation forcing the ending to seem rushed through to conclude the movie within the 90 minutes, instead of the film being possibly edited longer. All up though, one of the best thrillers you will ever see. I have seen it many times and it is still good even when you know the ending.

My son brought this film home from the local rental place and, though having never heard of it, I decided to watch it on the strength of the cast, which is stellar. I must say that it is a highly entertaining, atmospheric, and intriguing thriller that focuses on ten people, ostensible strangers to each other, who, through a seeming twist of fate, meet one dark and stormy night at a seedy motel in the middle of nowhere.

There, a strange fate begins to over take them, as one by one they meet up with a mysterious killer. No one knows who amongst them is the killer. No one knows who is next. Yet, there is apparently a link that binds them all. There is also a parallel story involving a convicted killer that opens the film and continues to be interjected at odd moments throughout the film. It is a story that is also interesting and becomes more so as the film continues.

There are subtle clues along the way that point the viewer in the right direction, in terms of what is really going on. The viewer, however, will generally realize this in hindsight, which is, of course, always twenty/twenty. The pace of the film is relentless. The tension is palpable. The acting is top notch. The direction is first rate, and the ending screams out, "Gotcha!".

This is a surprisingly effective psychological thriller that all those who love films of this genre should enjoy. There are enough twists and turns in the plot to keep even the most jaded viewers on their toes. While the performances of the entire cast are uniformly excellent, special kudos go to John Cusack for a truly powerful, memorable performance. Bravo!

The movie begins with a subplot of a killer's interview. Next, on a dark and stormy night, many lives will come together. George York (John C. McGinley - Dr. Cox from Scrubs) along with his wife Alice and stepson Timothy have a blowout. Alice is hit by limo driver Ed (John Cusack) driving movie star Caroline (Rebecca De Mornay). They rush to the closest phone, which is at an out-of-the-way hotel. Joining them for the evening, also trapped by the storm and flooding, is hooker Paris (how appropriate) played by Amanda Peet, and Officer Rhodes (Ray Liotta) transporting a prisoner (Jake Busey - don't Busey's make the best bad guys?), and a young couple whose passtime is arguing.

Rhodes' prisoner escapes, and then people begin to turn up dead. Secrets are revealed, there are arguments, a lot of creeping around in the rain, and nail-biting suspense. But there's more to this movie than just the typical whodunit. Where is the connection between these people? The key to the puzzle is much more complex than you think. The plot twists and twists again in a most satisfying manner. I can't say any more without revealing spoilers.

John Cusack and Ray Liotta give stellar performances, and John C. McGinley is good in everything he does. The film is well photographed and the atmosphere is sufficiently dreary to create the required mood. This is a great movie for a group of friends and a large bowl of buttered popcorn. Keep the lights on. Enjoy!

IDENTITY didn't make great waves at the Australian box office, and I am surprised by that. I finally saw it on DVD recently and was very impressed by it, and consider it one of the best films of 2003.

10 characters end up at a Bates-like Motel, with seemingly nothing in common. When people start dying, it becomes a case of who-dunnit. To tell anymore would give it away, but let me say it is one of the most original twist endings I have seen in a long time.

John Cusack is excellent, as is Ray Liota. Rebecca Mornay makes a comeback in this film, if only for 10 minutes. You will not recognise her at first with her brunette hair.

Ignore the negative reviews, Identity is a clever and imaginative film which blew me away! I had the DVD in my possession for awhile choosing not to watch it because of its poor performance at the box office. Howeverm, that was my loss, because the film was excellent.

I had high hopes for this movie. After all, headlining it were John Cusack, Ray Liotta, and Amanda Peet, three actors that I've come to respect and admire.

I had high hopes. And I wasn't disappointed! (It didn't hurt anything that Jake Busey had a role, either...)

IDENTITY is a movie unto itself. It's not the greatest phsycological suspense movie ever made (Hitchock probably had a hand in that movie) but it's pretty damn good.

Okay, here's the plot: ten strangers wind up, by chance (or so it seems) at a motel in the middle of nowhere, on a night filled with rain, thunder, lightning, and all the rest of that suspensful stuff. Among them are: a limo-driver (Cusack) and his employer; a prostitute (Peet) heading home for Florida; a man, his stepchild, and his wife (who's involved in an accident before she reaches the hotel); a young newlywed couple; and a cop (Liotta) escorting an inmate (Busey). Also thrown into the mix is the manager of the hotel who, while no Bates, possesses an air of innocent mystery.

Everything, while not alright, is certainly not dangerous...until the convict escapes, and the killings begin.

But there is a question that plagues the occupants of the hotel: is the convict really the killer? And if not him...then who?

Trust me, ladies and gents--despite what you think, you'll not be able to predict the ending of this awesome, creepy, thought-provking, and downright enjoyable movie. The ending is, indeed, what I would consider to be a classic--I just wish I could tell you more, but I can't.

In this movie, no one--and I mean no one, ladies and gents--is who they seem to be. And that's what makes this movie--much more than a glorified "who-dunit", in case that's what you were thinking--so suspensful and exciting.

IDENTITY is a rarity: a movie for adults (don't go into this expecting a simple, Barney-esque plot) that gives its viewers a childish glee. A must-see! I mean it.

I really have enjoyed watching the movie...three times already and I can say that it "tickles" your mind and think a lot of things at the end of it.
Dont judge the book by its cover they say .... and its correct.

James Mangold Identity is one hell of a movie. The twist is amazing, didn't see that coming. The ending will shock you to pieces. John Cusack and Amanda Peet are superb in their roles, he plays a former cop and she plays a hooker trying to get home to Flordia. Clea Duvall also appears in this film, Duvall was previously in Girl, Interrupted (another Mangold film). This film kept me interested for all its 90 minutes. Great direction, top-notch acting, and awesome plot. Identity is the best pyschological thriller of all-time, I highly recommend this engrossing little film.