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

Details

Official Sites:

Sony pictures [United States]

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:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$16,225,263, 27 April 2003, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$52,159,536

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$90,259,536

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation, Konrad Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 91 min (alternate DVD)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

John Cusack and Amanda Peet would later go on to play the lead roles in 2012 (2009), where they play a recently divorced couple. Also, Cusack played a limousine driver in 2012, while his character in Identity is a driver.

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Goofs

In the beginning sequence, Malcolm recites a poem that he made up, beginning with the first line, "As I was walking up the stair,..." Later, in the final lines of the movie, he reiterates this poem in a whisper as Timmy, wording the first line a little differently - "WHEN I was walking up the stairS..." (emphasis added).

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Quotes

Rhodes: You got a name?
Paris: Paris.
Rhodes: Paris, huh? I'll get it.
[Gets chips from vending machine]
Rhodes: Never been.
Paris: Well, you ain't goin' tonight.

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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 Chris Stuckmann Movie Reviews: Complete Blu-Ray Collection (2014)

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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

Like a hit to the head from left field

This movie totally surprised me on every level. I had never even heard of it until recently; when an observant video store clerk noticed how many thrillers I was hiring and suggested it.

Having missed it at the movies, I figured it would be the usual B-grade mystery murder flick, a bit of fun at best. Instead this movie had me hooked from the opening sequence; I almost thought they'd put the wrong DVD in the box!

The story is like one big twisted, turning tunnel- with barely a glimmer of a light at the end. The cast is great, the setting appropriately scary- with no short measure of red herrings to keep you guessing.

The cast really delivers too; the characters are diverse and given enough attention to keep you engaged but not so much as to slow the action down. John Cusack is in fine form as the easily likable ex-cop trying to hold it all together; Jake Busey plays the psychotic to perfection as usual.

I don't usually go in for gore, but there's really barely more than a few hints of blood & guts. Definitely one to watch in the dark with a group of friends to scare the hell out of yourselves. You won't regret this one.