Identity

Columbia Pictures presents a Konrad Pictures production.

Starring: John Cusack Ray Liotta Amanda Peet

Directed by: James Mangold

Rating: ****1/2

Plot: I don't plan to spoil anything for anyone who reads this review. I am going to give you the basic start of this movie but believe me it gets better than what I state. Okay several random groups of people are stranded in Nevada or some place during a rain storm. They all take shelter in this old scary motel. Once a convict being held by a police officer (Ray Liotta) things go to hell, and people start to die. As things start to reveal themselves a real horror and mystery is released.

Acting: The main reason this movie worked so well is the casting. Not really huge stars but just good actors. John Cusack has not given anything to really like lately, well until now. He does a great job and the way he says things in the movie really keep a darkness that I can't explain. He is the star but the rest of the cast does a good job. Ray Liotta I think is one of my favorite actors. He is on a role with this movie and last years Narc I really like this guy. He adds so much to this movie and has great lines and wow I just loved it. The one actor who impressed more than the others though was Amanda Peet. She has had small roles all over the place from The Whole Nine Yards and High Crimes. Those movies were not stand out hits so maybe she has not hit the radar in Holly Wood. Hopefully she gets more roles out of this because she really has a presence in this movie and really kept it on its feet I think. But who cares about what I think.

Directing/Writing: This movie ranks high for me I really enjoyed it all the way through and that tells you something. Now I didn't believe this movie is "scary". Alien is a fucking scary movie, this is just a smart and some what freaky movie. The pacing is well done and the fact it is almost always raining really got to me and kept everything dark and spooky. I did not like the opening of the movie I think it gives some stuff away and doesn't really do a good set up job. Whatever that is nothing really. At times this movie will feel like its a slasher movie or something, but it is not. Its a slow mystery where clues come up but well at least I didn't see what was coming. The ending of this movie left me smiling, not like it had a happy ending I just enjoyed the fact that I got tricked and it turned it around on me. I love when a movie can do that, Basic did the same thing to me but this movie does it even better! Good script, good directing leads to a good movie and a good time, it is that simple.

Overall: This is a mind fucking scary movie with a darkness I can't match since maybe Pitch Black. People will say "its just like The Ring man". Slap them in the face and tell them how stupid they are. So go and identify yourself as either a dumb ass or a smart person and go see Identity. I mean its Ray Liotta come on!