Identity (2003)

Stranded at a desolate Nevada motel during a nasty rain storm, ten strangers become acquainted with each other when they realize that they're being killed off one by one.

Director:

James Mangold

Writer:

Michael Cooney

Stars:

John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet

1 win & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Cusack	...	Ed
Ray Liotta	...	Rhodes
Amanda Peet	...	Paris
John Hawkes	...	Larry
Alfred Molina	...	Dr. Malick
Clea DuVall	...	Ginny
John C. McGinley	...	George York
William Lee Scott	...	Lou
Jake Busey	...	Robert Maine
Pruitt Taylor Vince	...	Malcolm Rivers
Rebecca De Mornay	...	Caroline Suzanne (as Rebecca DeMornay)
Carmen Argenziano	...	Defense Lawyer
Marshall Bell	...	District Attorney
Leila Kenzle	...	Alice York
Matt Letscher	...	Assistant District Attorney

Storyline

Malcolm Rivers has been convicted as the perpetrator of several murders and is sentenced to death. An eleventh hour defense by his lawyers and psychiatrist that Malcolm is insane based on new evidence has resulted in them meeting with the prosecutors and the judge to discuss if the verdict should be overturned. Meanwhile, on a dark night during a torrential rainstorm in the Nevada desert, a series of chain reaction events results in several people needing to stay at an out of the way motel managed by Larry. They are: ex-cop now limo driver Ed, and his client Caroline, a diva of a once famous actress; quiet adolescent Timmy, his stepfather George, and his mother Alice, who was seriously injured when Ed accidentally ran over her as she watched George change their flat tire; prostitute Paris, who was the unwitting cause of George's flat tire; newlyweds Lou and Ginny, whose marriage is based on a lie; and Police Officer Rhodes, who was en route escorting prisoner Robert to his new ...

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Plot Keywords:

motel room key | dissociative identity disorder | motel | storm | murder | 

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Taglines:

The secret lies within.

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Genres:

Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The song the prisoner starts to sing as he is lead to the bathroom is "I Got Stripes," a prison song by Johnny Cash, who died the year after the film's release.

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Goofs

Characters discussing a novel by Dame Agatha Christie combine details of two different novels.

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Quotes

Paris: His story's so unbelievable, I think it just might be true.

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Crazy Credits

The first few opening credits leave behind a letter to the word "IDENTITY" as they fade away.

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Alternate Versions

The DVD contains an extended version with an additional scene at the courthouse. This occurs right after Lou, Ginny and Paris go to their rooms for the first time. It shows Dr. Malick arriving and Detective Varole getting upset that the prisoner transport is out of contact. It also has a slightly altered ending that intercuts the killer with the real Malcolm Rivers committing the murders.

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Connections

Referenced in The Holiday (2006)

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Soundtracks

All My Life
Written and Performed by Foo Fighters
Courtesy of Roswell Records / The RCA Records Label, a unit of BMG Music

User Reviews

Entertaining, but not flawless

Cliché and predictable mystery/thriller about ten strangers stranded at a desolated motel in Nevada during a nasty rainstorm. Meanwhile, a psychiatrist (Molina) is trying to save a convict (Vince) from the death penalty by proving him insane, supported by new evidence of a recovered journal. The intersection of the two plots can only lead to one conclusion, unless you fail to realize that there's a reason these two stories are within the same film. Despite all the failed surprises and twists, the plot at least delivers the payoff the story has built up; and you'll find satisfaction in the film if you can shrug off the countless flaws with the realization that it never really hinders the progression. Cusack and Liotta are as good as always; Peet delivers an impress performance; and Hawkes is underrated as usual. If anything, it will entertain.

*** (out of four)

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Pictures Entertainment

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 April 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

I.D.

Filming Locations:

Four Aces Movie Ranch - 14499 E Ave Q, Palmdale, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$28,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$16,225,263, 27 April 2003

Gross USA:

$52,159,536

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$90,259,536

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures, Konrad Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 91 min (alternate DVD)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1