Reviewed by EWAN McDONALD
Herald rating: * * *
Take one pinch of Agatha Christie's country-house murders and add a tablespoon of Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, simmer gently in the new millennium for 90 minutes and serve ...
Our story opens in a thunderstorm, at an isolated motel with flashing neon signs and a
distinctly dodgy manager, and a series of random incidents that will force 10 people — or perhaps five odd couples and hangers-on — to put up for the night.
Larry (John Hawkes), the manager, finds rooms for an actress (Rebecca De Mornay), past whatever best she might have had; her chauffeur, Ed (John Cusack); Paris (Amanda Peet), nice touch to use that name for a hooker; Rhodes (Ray Liotta), the cynical cop required in these stories; his — can we use the word? — psycho prisoner (Jake Busey); the dysfunctional family of father (John C. McGinley), son and injured wife (Leila Kenzle). Finally, because it's also a necessity in thrillers, there's a couple of newlyweds (Clea DuVall and William Lee Scott).
The group will quickly begin to disintegrate. In fact the first person disintegrates rather too literally, because someone finds a head in a dryer. This is a surprise. However, you will not be surprised to see any and all of the usual thriller moments; nor will you be surprised that the rain will fall without let-up throughout.
As with Christie and Hitchcock, there are clues throughout the words and pictures, but don't rely too much on them as the body count — and, of course, the tension among the not yet deceased — is increased.
The cast thoroughly enjoy themselves, particularly John Cusack, although at denouement time the audience might feel a little short-changed. Good holiday fun.
DVD features: movie (90 min), commentary by director James Mangold, branched version of film with alternative ending and additional scene, deleted scenes with director's commentary, storyboard comparisons, feature, On the Set of Identity.
