denny-32

I found this movie to be an hour and a half well spent mainly because of the cast. Gene Hackman is a legend, Ray Romano has a harmless, goofy personality and I've always liked Maura Tierney. They are perfect in their portrayal of people in a small town where local politics brings out their best & worst personality traits.

The movie itself is fairly innocuous and had me thinking of 'Groundhog Day' the way Mooseport's citizens were portrayed. This point is not a detraction, on the contrary, I have been disappointed more in recent times at the cinema by movies with a much bigger reputation.

This is a film that would be good for guys who need to make up with their partners for a previous misdemeanor, with a night in front of the box.

I watched 'City By The Sea' Saturday Night for A$2.95 on DVD and 'Identity' the next day in a Cinema for A$13.00. I had the assumption that the latter would easily be better value for money despite the price. I was wrong. 'Identity' started off as a good movie but deteriorated 1/2 - 2/3 of the way through because of a much described twist that left me (and many other viewers I believe) not caring what happened to the characters. I really had thought this movie would be better than it turned out to be. My expectations I fear were too high. 6/10

Despite the whipping this movie gets by many other reviewers, I found it to be one of the more interesting films I have seen in recent times. The plot was interesting, the locations very appealing (for someone who lives in Australia) and the acting although a little stereotypical, acceptable.

I thought Cuba Gooding Jr. & Tom Berenger made the most of their roles and the conclusion of the movie was satisfying. And the most important factor? There was narration, which allowed me, a typical male movie viewer understand what was happening without having to ask my wife every five minutes.

Solid B Grade fare.