Movie review of Identity

Horrorphile

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Identity

April 4th 2007 06:51

If you like a good murder mystery with stalk’n’slash elements then you’ll certainly enjoy Identity (2003), directed by James Mangold (Copland, Girl Interrupted, Walk the Line). The tight screenplay by accomplished playwright Michael Cooney (yes, the movie does have a certain stageyness, but it still works cinematically) plays with two interlocking plots; one is the group of strangers stranded at a desert motel during a particularly wet thunderstorm who are slowly being picked off by a unseen killer, the other is the judicial hearing of a convicted serial killer - who is also schizophrenic - the night before his execution and just how significant are his multiple personalities.

I can’t talk too much about Identity’s narrative as it is operates in the same way an Agatha Christie mystery works, like And Then There Were None (Ten Little Indians is referenced in the movie). The less you know about the whole story the better. Even if the movie exasperates you at times, stay with it, as there aren’t many movies as silly as this that actually manage to pull the whole shebang off.

Pretty much the entire action takes place at a motel somewhere in the Nevada desert. Eleven strangers arrive there for different reasons; there’s the meek husband carrying his injured wife and son, the limo driver and the movie star, the hooker, the cop and his prisoner, a young couple recently married, and the guy managing the motel.

Ray Liotta and John Cusack, wet and confused

The sub-plot, which comes to the fore during the movie’s final quarter, has a psychiatrist and his sentenced patient presenting his case to the judge and attorneys. How these two plot threads ultimately tie together make for great popcorn viewing, one to watch with good mates and lots of beer, especially if it’s a dark rainy night!

Director Mangold has garnered a top notch ensemble cast including a few faves of mine (Liotta, Peet, De Mornay), even if a couple of them act like they’re bored (actually Cusack always acts bored). John Cusack is Dakota the limo driver, Ray Liotta is Rhodes the hotheaded cop, Rebecca de Mornay is Caroline the movie star (was she always that voluptuous??), Amanda Peet is Paris Nevada the pretty hooker, Alfred Molina plays Dr. Malick the psychiatrist, Gary Busey is Maine, Rhodes’ prisoner, Clea DuVall is Virginia the young wife, John McGinley is York the distraught husband, John Hawkes is Washington the motel manager, and shifty-eyed Pruitt Taylor Vince is Malcolm Rivers, the serial killer.

Notice anything intriguing yet?

The killings are executed in classic horror mold, not as graphic as many of the slasher movies, but inventive nevertheless, and the suspense is suitably nail-biting. The camera creeps around the rain-slicked motel, peering around corners, shadowy figures moving in the background, lightning occasionally illuminating the action adding further tension. Visually the film is very well constructed; Phedon Papamichael’s cinematography and David Brenner’s editing in particular are excellent.

Despite an ending that comes up a little limp, Identity's trajectory is solid and superbly entertaining. A psychological murder mystery with just enough horror thrills, spills and twisty-twists to keep even jaded eyes glued to the screen. How in the hell is this movie going to end, you keep thinking? Identity's beguile lies in its atmosphere and narrative subtleties.

"As I was going up the stair / I met a man who wasn't there. / He wasn't there again today / I wish, I wish he'd go away" ... I’m sure Geyser Soze would find a smirk spreading across his face after watching this.

Here's the original theatrical trailer:

* images on this page are courtesy of www.filmhai.com and www.screenshots.com

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Comments

16 Comments. [ Add A Comment ]

Comment by Adrian

April 4th 2007 06:59

Philosophy Blog

I love a good mindfuck movie.

Incidentally, this isn't really related to anything, but have you seen "Bloodsucking freaks" (also known as "The incredible torture show")? Some guy has a show where he tortures and kills women on stage, except that it's real?

Anyway, my acting teacher is the girl who gets her brains sucked out by the doctor. I reckon it's decent bit of acting for what it is, and quite brave from the point of view that the doctor totally feels her up.

Comment by Bryn

April 4th 2007 07:17

Horrorphile

Adrian,
yeah, I know of it, but never seen it ... It's considered the first real "gore" film .... Any good at all?? This isn't as good as The Usual Suspects, but still entertaining ... anything with Ray Liotta, John Cusack, Rebecca De Mornay and Amanda Peet is worth checking out ...

Comment by Adrian

April 4th 2007 07:51

Philosophy Blog

Oh I've seen Identity actually.

You really must see Bloodsucking Freaks. It's freaking repulsive.

Comment by JohnDoe

April 4th 2007 22:37

Film & TV on DVD

Identity is a fun reworking of Agatha Christie's 10 Little Indians (One of my all time fave mystery stories)....a guilty pleasure due to the laughable ending and unneeded subplot...still I really enjoyed it for the tongue in cheek thrills and some highly amusing deaths.

The dark humour in the screenplay is also fun and John McGinley is always good value.

Comment by Cibbuano

April 4th 2007 23:09

Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak

Sounds like a good cast, and a rework of Christie? It's gotta be redeeming...

Comment by Bryn

April 4th 2007 23:24

Horrorphile

Adrian, yeah, I'll get round to it eventually, cheers.

JD, the subplot was needed - far-fetched or not - , otherwise the whole thing would've been way too pedestrian ... it is tongue-in-cheek to an extent ... the baseball bat rammed down the throat was a new one! and yeah, mcginley is good value too, margold certainly inticed a number of quality actors .... I love when the escaped prisoner (gary busey) finds himself back at the motel having thought he was arriving at another establishment entirely, that's a sure fire clue that things are not what they seem at all ....

Cibby,
definitely worth seeing ... even if its just for seeing a bunch of character actors chewing the scenery!

Comment by JohnDoe

April 4th 2007 23:49

Film & TV on DVD

I just found the sub plot really predictable and it added to the silliness rather than the intrigue or tension....still as I said I like the movie despite its faults.

Comment by Bryn

April 5th 2007 08:15

Horrorphile

I guess so ... silly, yeah, enjoyable, yes.
Hope you're feeling better JD ...
Have a grand Easter weekend. I'm workin' workin' workin' (DJing that is ... )
No rest for the wicked ...

Comment by Morgan Bell

May 14th 2008 11:38

Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train

this is one of my all time favourite films, it may be a little silly but the first time i watched it i swear it had me guessing til the very end . . . what a fantastic cast!

i love movies that are like dreams, even if it is cliched!

and i agree, i think rebecca demornays bust looks a little more enhanced from "The Hand That Rocks The Cradle" days . . . i never realised she was such a great character actor until i saw this!

now can someone explain to me which bit is the "subplot" that you guys are referring to?

Comment by Bryn

May 15th 2008 00:47

Horrorphile

From memory, the sub-plot is what's going on inside the killer's head (revealed right near the end), the whole scenario unfolding the way he wants to see it, although the audience has been seeing it entirely differently as though it is all unfolding in real time ... Am I making any sense? I'm not sure ...

Comment by Morgan Bell

May 15th 2008 04:51

Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train

oh yes that makes sense! thanks!
the first time you watch the film it seems the death-row legal room scenes are current day and the happenings at the motel are his crimes in the past