Identity Review

Written by: Ash's missing hand   

On a dark and stormy night, a family of three blows out a tire on a lonely road in Nevada. While the father changes the tire, his wife is struck by a passing limousine. The driver takes them all to a motel despite the rantings of the limo's passenger, a spoiled movie star. The roads are washed out in both directions and the phone lines are down. Meanwhile, others arrive seeking shelter from the storm.

Altogether, there are ten guests. One by one, they start to die. The story intercuts to a last minute hearing for a man (Pruitt Taylor Vince) convicted of several murders. A pissed off judge has been awakened for this appeal. Unless he overturns his own ruling, the man will die. A psychiatrist (Alfred Molina) comes to his defense.

The group gathered at the motel includes the limo driver (John Cusak) who says he is a former cop. There is another cop (Ray Liotta) who's transporting a killer (Jake Busey). The driver with the blowout (John C. McGinley) cares for his severely injured wife (Leila Kenzle) while his son (Bret Loehr) looks on. The movie star (Rebecca DeMornay) was the limo's passenger, a hooker (Amanda Peet) on her way to Florida, a young couple (William Lee Scott & Clea DuVall) who are newly married, and the motel manager (John Hawkes) who finds them all rooms.

Many in the group fear a killer is in their midst, but some of the deaths are so peculiar it is hard to explain them or to know whether they are either murders or the wrong place at the wrong time. I don't want to give away the end of the movie but you'll find yourself rethinking the entire movie as the credits roll.

This is a very well made Agatha Christie type of whodunit. A strong story, strong directing, great mood, and a very strong and capable cast, as well as a simple story with not so simple solutions, makes this very much worth seeing. Very well done.