Film Review: Identity

By Anita Ibru
Scriptwriter

Character-driven stories are always tricky as the writer must get the balance between story and personalities right (I know so from experience). He or she can get carried away developing fascinating characters that from time to time there is the danger of losing sight of the plot. In spite of this challenge, Identity definitely tended more towards success than failure apart from a few loopholes and the unlikely twist at the end.

That said, this film, heaving with murders and the constant sound of falling rain/water has an Hitchcock feel to it - think of the Psycho motel setting. There are also some amazing directorial moments, such as the back and forth moments, not only from one scene in particular where one of the characters is trapped in a tight corner, but in terms of the use of flashback. This certainly made the stomach turn.

I also loved the unique way the ten people were “trapped”. Enough room was allowed for manoeuvre by the murderer to make the story realistic and to throw up the “who done it” question at the same time as the viewer knowing fully well that there was no escape. Furthermore, the rainstorm/flooding was an unusual way to trigger off the characters finding themselves in a harrowing situation to highlight some gripping themes in the film such as fate, chance, and coincidence which keeps the viewer anxiously glued to their seats and wondering what will happen next.

Starring John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, Alfred Molina, Clea Duvall and Rebecca De Mornay this thriller/psychological drama/horror film (I am sorry but that is how I would classify it!) was not lacking in some of the higher echelons of Hollywood, and it was refreshing to see them brought down to and performing brilliantly (especially Cusack), at this level of genre. Definitely one of the best “thrillers” out there at the moment.

Directed by James Mangold
Written by Michael Cooney