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, 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

When Alice is first hit by the car, the car pulls her down, and you can see her start to go under the car. When Alice is hit from Ed's P.O.V., Alice hits the hood of the car, rolls over the top, then slides off the trunk onto the road.

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Quotes

Dr. Malick: The killer cannot survive.

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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 Making of 'Changing Lanes' (2002)

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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

Unpredictable,exciting,full of mystery and horror psychological thriller

For a start,i would like to say that this film is worth seeing.It is one of the best psychological thrillers that exist so i highly recommend to those who like this kind of movies.The plot was very nice,the twist also and the cast outstanding.Cusack,Liotta,Peet and Hawkes did their best and the result was excellent.I liked a lot the flashbacks that were made -mostly in the beginning. Furthermore,the idea of the whole film was terrific.On the other hand,speaking frankly there was an excessive gore and emphasis on the murders that didn't impress me;a big part of the movie was "dedicated" to murders.Another thing that i didn't like was the continuous rain that made me feel tired,seeing again again the storm. Moreover,what i liked most-contrary to many people- was the end of the movie.It was unpredictable and,besides that,it is one of the few thrillers that you cannot find out the end easily.It was very interesting and made me sit tight on my couch .If you don't pay attention for a while you will "get lost". I should not forget to refer to the hot presence of Peer that embellished the movie apart from her casting abilities. Lastly,you should make sure that you will be 100% concentrated on the film in order to understand what is happening cause i regard it as one of the most difficult movies to understand.It is certain that this film will dominate you with mystery and in parallel make you think a lot of things that will be predicted wrong in the end. I would give 9 -at least- out of 10 to Identity.