So I don’t know how to review Identity…
It’s hard to gripe about it’s problems without revealing too much.
It’s hard to praise it’s good parts with out giving away too much too.

So I’m gonna say that Identity encompasses three, possibly four genres, doesn’t really live up to any of them individually, somehow works despite it’s neurosis, but doesn’t really tie together nicely in the long run…

I will say that the cast is very impressive, and does a nice job. I think John Cusack and Amanda Peet keep this movie from basically being a straight to video thriller. Cusack tends to make movies I don’t wanna see, but he’s really a great actor. I wish he’d do more movies that I care to see. (For the record, I didn’t really care to see Identity, but the trailer and the blurbs and some of the online reviews I read forced me to see it…)
Amanda Peet should also be in better movies. She can really hold her own nicely.
Ray Liotta is always good too, but like the others I rarely see his flicks. John Hawkes is another one that needs to do more movies. He can easily be one of the best character actors working today. Another fine character actor, John C. McGinley, plays against type, but does a fine job.
One of the bigger “huh?s” in the movie was the actress who portrays an actress in the film. I knew who it was because I read too much online, but to me she was unrecognizable, and though she looked older than I remember her to, I also think she looked better than ever…

Director James Mangold last directed KATE & LEO and two more different movies couldn’t exist. Identity had strong direction, but it was very “scary movie” typical at times. Still a movie set in a desolate motel during a severe rain storm is practically creepy by default, so it’s all good.
It's also cool that at least three of this movie's cast have worked with Mangold before.
Screenwriter Michael Cooney defiantly displays his influences on his sleeve. While no one scene seems to be a direct rip off of another movie’s scenes, overall, it looks very familiar. Still, I’m sure some people are gonna eat this movie up and beg for more.