A smart thriller that challenges the viewer

Rating: 8/10 (6 September 2003)

As tempting as it is to give spoilers, I assure that there will be none in this mini-review. This is mostly because I want to do my best to persuade people who haven't seen this movie to ignore the simple minded criticisms I've read all too often. This movie begins in a predictable, yet very well done thriller/murder mystery type vein. Everything that can go wrong, does go wrong. The acting and script and direction all lay out an extremely solid groundwork. The only problem with this is that this genre has been done many times over and would be difficult to make any impact in.
And so the movie decides to take a very original and interesting approach as it progresses. As things unfold, it will at times leave the viewer questioning what they understand and how much of what they understand they're even sure of in the first place. Eventually when the viewer finally gets a grasp on things, the realization sets in of just how ambitious and well done this movie is. Believe me, I haven't even given you a HINT of the roller coaster this movie takes you on.
Because it hits you with so much though, I suggest the close minded and slow witted do not watch Identity. Most of the criticisms of this film result from such viewers, who are left clawing to hold on to the predictable (and entertaining) foundation the beginning of the movie lays, leaving them with a stinging bitter taste in their mouths as they are sent hurtling into the depths of the abyss that is Identity.
The script and directing are phenomenal. They are what make the movie. The acting is all well done, but nothing really stands out because of the nature of the film. With an adequate cast, which Identity surely has, the script and direction take over and tell a story that easily can win over the viewer on their own merits. This brings out Identity's only real flaw though: because of the script's nature, there is only so much this movie can do. I can't say any more than that without planting the seeds of spoilers. Basically, the writer of this movie had to make a sacrifice. It was obviously a great story. But because of how it has to progress in order to be great, it prevents itself from ever taking that next step into the realm of classics.
Perhaps with an extra half hour or forty five minutes Identity could have worked enough character development and pathos in to make it last with the viewer forever. But more likely than not, I suspect, it would have only served to drag out the movie. By making it to-the-point and hard hitting, the makers of Identity bite the bullet and settle for birthing one of the best movies of 2003, instead of one of the best movies of all time.
And this, I think, is a respectable decision. A decision that more than warrants that you watch this outstanding movie.