Identity - film review

Identity is a film made in 2003, a psychological thriller that owes something (just like Jack Reacher!) to a plot associated with Agatha Christie. Yet, again like Jack Reacher, it stands on its own two feet - and very well, actually. I must admit that I saw it some years ago and was not overly impressed, but I think I saw it on a bad day. A second viewing made it clear that it's a very clever movie.

It opens with that excellent actor Alfred Molina as a shrink talking to a patient who is accused of being a serial killer. New evidence has come to light, and there's a last minute hearing to see if the chap can escape the death penalty. Is he mad rather than bad? Before we can begin to answer the question, the action switches to a remote motel in a ferocious downpour.

Ten people come to the motel - and one by one, they start to be killed (does this sound familiar, Christie fans?) A motel room key is found by each corpse. What on earth is going on? The group is a mixed bunch - a prostitute, a police officer, the dodgy motel keeper, a young boy and his parents, and so on. But can anyone be trusted? Are they all what they seem? Twist follows twist, in  a very satisfying way.

The excellent cast includes Ray Liotta, John Cusack and Rebecca de Mornay. I really can't think why I didn't care for this one first time round - I now think it's one of the most entertaining American thrillers of the present century. Not at all easy to guess what's going on, and all the more satisfying because of it. Recommended - and certainly not just for Christie fans.

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Grosse Pointe Blank

Grosse Pointe Blank is a movie that has attracted such positive reviews that I’ve been meaning to get round to watching it for years. Then again, the list of things that I’ve been meaning to get round to doing is alarmingly lengthy…however, I have finally managed to catch up with the film, and I’m very glad I did.

It’s a dark comedy about a professional killer called Martin Blank, played by John Cusack, whose client wants him to carry out a hit in his home town – the eponymous Grosse Pointe Blank, in Michigan. The contract coincides with the 10-year reunion of Martin’s old school, and he has the chance to meet up again with the lovely Deb (played by Minnie Driver) whom he deserted when he left town abruptly a decade earlier.

Matters are complicated by the fact that Martin has become increasingly troubled by his work. He’s seeking psychiatric support from an unwilling shrink (well played by Alan Arkin) and a variety of other killers are after his blood. They include Dan Aykroyd, who wants to establish a club of professional assassins, and who is miffed that Martin doesn’t want to join.

This is a really enjoyable movie, with some very funny lines and scenes. One of my favourite moments occurs when Martin is involved in a gun battle with one of the hitmen in a minimart. The shop assistant is so absorbed in a blood-and-thunder video game that he has no idea what is happening all around him.