Probably the best Thriller/Suspense film ever made!

Rating: 10/10 (24 May 2010)

Identity maybe the best thriller film of all time considering that it has all the elements and a unique substance that holds this film together and, simply, it just is a unique masterpiece by James Mangold. James Mangold is a visionary director who has made great films like 3:10 to Yuma, Walk The Line, Girl, Interrupted but even though they maybe great, Identity easily tops that list in a flash. James Mangold uses a lot of twists and sometimes confusing puzzles to make you like this film and out of nowhere the puzzle will be answered with a new brilliant twist. Even though I give films ten stars, it still does not mean that they are perfect but with a film like this, it is a whole different case. Identity and a lot of other ten star films surely do come to be perfect. A few centimeters more and they will become my next best friend. Gosh, how could I have thought that this would be time wasting? How could I think that this will be crap? How could I think something bad about this? Answer = Stupidity. This film defines the "Don't Judge a Movie By Its Cover" tagline. Now to the acting and performances by the crew in this film. John Cusack is in his game with this film as he plays a likable ex-cop turned limo driver, who ends up in a motel that is in the middle of nowhere along with more people who, mysteriously, all have a connection to each other. His acting is what defines acting in a good way and when I mean that, I am f*king dead serious. Ray Liotta is also another performer to watch out for because he portrays someone who knows more than he is letting on. I love his scary, yet deadly secret. Liotta acts beautifully and convincingly all the way till we find more about him. Amanda Peet plays a prostitute who is heading for a place to start a new life specializing in growing oranges, who also, strangely, goes to the motel. Amanda is strong in this film and near flawless. Before I go on, you might be wondering that why are they all ending up in a motel. Answer = it is raining and the streets are flooded. Alfred Molina is unrecognizable as he plays Dr.Mallick and I didn't even know that he was performing in this film if it wasn't for the credits. Nevertheless, he still does a great job. The plot is greatly crafted and engaging from the first scene. The storytelling which is seen from all sides is quite clever and adds a little bit more depth to the whole film. The cinematography is outstanding and spooky because, since it's raining, with no where to go, you have no choice but to go to a motel where you are wondering who is going to die first. The rainy setting is the perfect setting for this psychological thriller. The atmosphere also has a clear sense of horror stuck to it, a perfect atmosphere for a film. This review is all positives but no negative. Erm......The film is too scary!! That is my only concern - thank you! I am ranting on too much about this film but that is hard to since I wanna tell you all about it and why you should watch it. One: Great acting. Two: Brilliant cinematography. Three: Great twists. Four: likable characters. Must Watch!!! I highly recommend this to anyone, children and adults alike since I am not a classification freak like some, but the only concern I have is that it has a confusing story that takes a lot of time to figure out but if you want to have a go at it.... please do.
Strangers from all different walks of life: a limo driver escorting a movie star, parents with a young son, a cop transporting a convict, a prostitute, a young couple, and a motel manager are caught up in a nasty rainstorm, stuck at a motel in desolate Nevada. Soon they realize they may be at the motel for another reason when one by one, people start getting killed off. As tensions flare and fingers are pointed, they have to get to the bottom of why they're there. Meanwhile in an undisclosed location, a psychiatrist is trying to prove the innocence of a man accused of murder in an eleventh hour trial. How these two through-lines are related can only be found in Identity.
Minor spoilers hereon: When you find out that they all have the same birthday and are named after a state or country, you are think WTF! but the ending tells you why this is what it is. The waiting to find out what happens is really annoying because with a film like this, storytelling has to be fast and clear at the same time. The story about the "Indian Cemetery" is a really scary mini-story that gives you something to think about. It is haunting as well. The ending was great and unexpected so you don't really know what is happening until PANG you are hit in the face with an unbelievable twist. The boy who, reportedly, dies is quite scary to think about. The funny thing is that, if you have watched the film, John Cusack is actually a fat, bald guy. For a reason I found that funny. My words are running out.....Damn!! The original score is great and adds a bit more creepiness to the film which will make you enjoy it way more. The uniqueness of this film is very rare and hard to find nowadays in film. The "I met a man who wasn't there..." poem is frightening and greatly written. The voice that says that adds a bit more effect to the hauntingness of it. Should definitely be on you "Must Watch list!" 10/10 - A Masterpiece! Bravo!
"Over and out." 24 March 2010.