Identity **** (2003, John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, Rebecca De Mornay, Alfred Molina, Pruitt Taylor Vince) – Classic Movie Review 775

Ex-cop and now driver Ed (John Cusack), tough cop Rhodes (Ray Liotta), escort Paris (Amanda Peet) and bitchy movie star Caroline Suzanne (Rebecca De Mornay) are among ten strangers, stranded in a rainstorm at an isolated motel, who are soon being killed one by one. Meanwhile, elsewhere, a shrink called Dr Malick (Alfred Molina) interviews a convicted serial killer, Malcolm Rivers (Pruitt Taylor Vince).

How all this links up is satisfyingly unravelled during director James Mangold’s taut, twisty and extremely well-acted 2003 mystery thriller Identity. It is very neatly written by Michael Cooney and the movie is distinguished with a smart noirish surface sheen, thanks to Phedon Papamichael’s startling and stylish cinematography and Mark Friedberg’s clever, Neon-lit set designs.

The stormy weather filming must have been a pig to do, but it pays off handsomely in this highly impressive and enjoyable adult entertainment with strong violence and strong language.

John Hawkes, Clea DuVall, John C McGinley, William Lee Scott and Jake Busey are also in the notable cast, along with Carmen Argenziano, Marshall Bell, Leila Kenzle, Matt Letscher, Bret Loehr, Holmes Osborne, Frederick Coffin and Joe Hart.

It did well at the box office. Costing $30 million, it had a cumulative worldwide gross of more than $90 million.

Identity is directed by James Mangold, runs 90 minutes, is made by Columbia Pictures Corporation and Konrad Pictures, is released by Columbia, is written by Michael Cooney, is shot by Phedon Papamichael, is produced by Cathy Konrad, is scored by Alan Silvestri and is designed by Mark Friedberg.

It was shot at Four Aces Movie Ranch, Palmdale, California (the motel) and Stage 27, Sony Pictures Studios, Culver City, California, (the studio), as well as on location in Lancaster, Palmdale, Valencia, and Los Angeles City Hall – all in  California.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 775

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