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:

Identity is a secret. Identity is a mystery. Identity is a killer.

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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

"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." One character claims to have written this poem. It is really a poem titled 'Antigonish' by William Hughes Mearns. This poem was also turned into a popular song, giving it widespread attention.

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Goofs

When the doctor is looking over Rivers' history, the police rap sheet on his mother contains the word paraphernalia misspelled.

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Quotes

George York: [to stepson/Timmy] I'll be right back.
[to Ed, who is sewing up Alice's neck]
George York: Where did you learn to do that?
Ed: Pretty much where you're standing. Hey, is the, uh, little boy. Is he all right? He hasn't said a word since the accident. I don't know if he's...
George York: [Cutting Ed off] No no no. He doesn't talk much. Ever since the, uh... I'm his stepfather. His father... Two years ago he left. A little temper problem.

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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

Featured in Starz on the Set: Identity (2003)

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Soundtracks

Win Music Season 19
from "Wheel of Fortune"
Written and Performed by Steve Kaplan
Courtesy of Columbia TriStar Television, Inc.

User Reviews

Edge of the seat thriller

I've never before seen a film that made me sit on the edge of my seat practically from the opening credits. And I never got to sit back.

This was a psychological thriller of the best type. There is plenty of opportunity for you to nominate the "bad guy" and while you may be right in a sense you will probably also be wrong. The ending is a real shocker - and I suspect that the typical reaction of many viewers is to say "No way" - but if you think about it, it is the only possible ending. But you have to think about it - and the film is so action-filled that you never have time. SO the realization must come after the closing credits roll.

I'd never seen John Cusack in anything but a comedy before (except for a film called "Max", but I saw that before I knew who Cusack was). He pulled off drama equally as well as he does comedy. An impressive talent.

And an impressive film.

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