) Identity ultimately disappoints.
Identity is slick production and all the performances were very well done but in the end its just another version of the Halloween/Friday the 13th movies. It was a frustrating experience watching this movie.
You patiently sit through the setting up of the arrival of the various motel guests waiting for a pay-off that doesn't come. When the guests do start being killed off the degree of the contrivances created by this point are so excessive that you sit there debating whether to get up and walk out.
Just when your thinking that Identity is nothing more than a cheap slasher flick the story begins to focus on the hinted at, mysterious up to now, subplot involving a stay of execution hearing for a notorious mass murderer. For a brief moment you are lured into thinking that the subplot will make meaningful sense of what has occurred so far. Only for a moment as you will be disappointed by this aspect of the story as well.
The problems with the subplot are almost too numerous too mention. Last minute stay of execution hearings occur at the Supreme court level, the accused is not present, they don't last through the night and most definitely don't involve psychotherapy sessions designed to re-intergrate the multiple personalities of a serial killer. If Identity had even remotely gotten any of this correct I would be singing its praises. As it is the psychological subplot is more contrived than the possibility that 10 people with the same birthdate would all get stranded at the same motel.
Much of the blame for the lack of intelligence of the plot must be shouldered by screenwriter Michael Clooney who is responsible for such cinematic masterpieces as the direct to video films Jack Frost & Jack Frost 2: Revenge of the Mutant Killer Snowman (See Greg's Previews). Instead of telling you in advance if a movie is rated "R" or "PG 13" they should have to tell you that the screenwriter has only previously written trash. I know that's harsh but Identity turns out to be a significant waste of an opportunity to produce a top notch horror film with top-quality stars.
By the way, without revealing what it is, there is a connection between the mass murderer and what's going on at the motel. You'll have to decide if the script plays fair in withholding the connection in the manner it does.
Despite all of the above Identity stills succeeds because of the quality of the acting, the direction and cinematography. Its just that it could have been so much better.
Identity is a film that exploits multiple personality disorder and has an identity crisis of its own that just barely merits a recommendation.
Running time - 90 minutes
Alternative Reviews:
Roger Ebert's review
Rotten Tomatoes Reviews
IDENTITY OFFICIAL WEBSITE
