#1
Posted: 2/23/05 at 1:37pm
I was watching this last night, for the 400th time. I really do love this movie. It is a well-written, beautifully shot, meticulously edited, impeccably cast thriller.
For those who don't know the plot: On a lonely night... on a desolate road in Nevada, ten strangers wind up at the same creaky motel. Before long, they start being killed off by a mysterious killer. At the same time, a psychopath is called to a hearing the night before his execution. What's the connection?
As far as modern horror movies go, you can't do better than "Identity". The dialogue is quick, the murder scenes are elaborate, and the movie itself is just plain spooky. Among the recognizable faces in the cast are John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Ray Liotta, Rebecca De Mornay, John Hawkes, John C. McGinley, Clea DuVall, William Lee Scott, and Alfred Molina. Cusack, Peet, and Hawkes are the standouts.
There are several twists in the film; all of them as surprising and meaningful as the one that came before it. In the end, "Identity" is a disturbing and unusually intelligent little number that feels like there is some actual thought behind it. It feels organic, and I don't feel cheated when it's over.
This film has its fans and detractors, but I think this one is highly underrated. Those who are tired of all of the "Boogeyman" and "White Noise" garbage movies should see this.
For those who don't know the plot: On a lonely night... on a desolate road in Nevada, ten strangers wind up at the same creaky motel. Before long, they start being killed off by a mysterious killer. At the same time, a psychopath is called to a hearing the night before his execution. What's the connection?
As far as modern horror movies go, you can't do better than "Identity". The dialogue is quick, the murder scenes are elaborate, and the movie itself is just plain spooky. Among the recognizable faces in the cast are John Cusack, Amanda Peet, Ray Liotta, Rebecca De Mornay, John Hawkes, John C. McGinley, Clea DuVall, William Lee Scott, and Alfred Molina. Cusack, Peet, and Hawkes are the standouts.
There are several twists in the film; all of them as surprising and meaningful as the one that came before it. In the end, "Identity" is a disturbing and unusually intelligent little number that feels like there is some actual thought behind it. It feels organic, and I don't feel cheated when it's over.
This film has its fans and detractors, but I think this one is highly underrated. Those who are tired of all of the "Boogeyman" and "White Noise" garbage movies should see this.
