Identity

Reviewed by:
Paul Ulane

Getting stranded in a dingy hotel can ruin a perfectly planned road trip, prom, or dingy hotel visit. Add to that a murderous maniac offing each tenant, room by room, and you have the perfect vehicle for Jake Busey’s teeth. John Cusack, Ray Liotta, and Amanda Peet head up an ensemble cast fighting for their lives long into the rainy night in a thriller that remains tense until its dramatic conclusion. In fact, the movie’s twisted final moments make the film, and viewing Identity on DVD offers a chance to pick up on clues along the way. Commentary from director James Mangold is scrupulous yet interesting, cutting deeper into the story without simply rehashing it. Storyboards illustrate the film’s violent moments, revealing the origins of the more psychotic action, and a STARZ special extracts cast insight, including the nuisance caused by incessant rain machines and a starstruck Peet offering herself up to Cusack. We can only hope those deleted scenes are on the inevitable special edition.

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