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

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

At around 1h16min when the driver transporting two prisoners is stabbed by one of them from the back of his seat, he is clearly shown as having been hit badly enough to irremediably lose control of the car, but we end up seeing him steering the car to a stop.

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Quotes

Larry: I'm sor- we don't rent rooms by the hour.
Paris: [Sarcastic] Oh. Funny.

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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

References Poltergeist (1982)

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Soundtracks

For He's a Jolly Good Fellow
Traditional

User Reviews

Excellent and Intriguing Even When You Watch It For the Second Time

Today I have watched "Identity" for the second time in less than two months, now on DVD. Again, I found it an excellent and intriguing film. There are two versions in the DVD, and I selected the one with scenes that were cut in the final edition (the other option was the theatrical version). Now I paid more attention on the details of the plot, trying to identify flaws in the screenplay, but the story is very tight. There are many extras in the DVD, including deleted scenes, making of, filmography, comments etc. It is amazing the filmography of John Cusack, composed mainly of good movies. I keep my initial vote (nine).

Title (Brazil): `Identidade' (`Identity')