We often hear that first impressions are not always the best.
So was the case when I first saw the trailer and preliminary advertising for
the movie The Identical. It looked like most every other "Christian"
film I had seen, poorly made, acted, and just flat out horrible. As much as I
hate to say it, the advances and preliminary bits I had seen on this movie
reinforced that opinion, they looked so bad that I wanted nothing to do with
it. Then something miraculous happened, I had an epiphany moment, I had fallen
into the same thing I had accused others of. I made a judgment about a movie
before seeing it.
The Identical starts off during the depression in the 1930's,
a couple gives birth to identical twins and can't afford to keep both children.
While attending a revival by Reece Wade, played brilliantly by Ray Liotta, the
father of the children, two sons, decides it is in the child's best interest to
give the child to Reverend Wade and his wife, Louise played by Ashley Judd. Reverend
Wade is the pastor of a church and they raise their son to pursue his dreams,
of course Reverend Wade is quick to point out that the boy will go into the
ministry just like him. Unfortunately, the boy has a love for music that he can't
explain and he wants to pursue his own dreams. As the boy grows older we see
him following his dream of music, the son, played very nicely by Blake Rayne is
a new comer who was discovered as an Elvis impersonator under the name Ryan
Pelton, is exceptional. On this point, let's get the elephant out of the room,
Rayne, as Ryan Wade looks a lot like Elvis, sings like Elvis and performs like
Elvis. What one could see as a cheap imitation is quickly transformed by the
quality of Rayne's performance. The performance by Rayne is so good that Elvis
would be jealous because Rayne is not only a quality performer but a quality
actor in a very good and thought provoking movie that Elvis would have loved to
have played in. 
The Identical is surprising in other ways, from the great acting to wonderful
music, (all original to the film,) costuming, editing and direction is nearly
flawless. These are elements I didn't expect and seemed to be extinct from most
faith based driven movies. I was pleasantly surprised at the well crafted story
that ultimately becomes so emotional towards the end that you have to wonder,
if one doesn't shed a tear or two you wonder if the person not touched has a
heart. This will certainly be true for the family that has stuck it out, loved,
and supported each other through adulthood. There is never any doubt that the
Wade family loved their son just as much as if they had given birth to him. This
adoptive family has a special bond with their son, it is presented in a
wonderful, realistic way from the point of adoption to later in his life well
into adulthood.
One of the things I loved about this movie is the strong
family bond and love. While the character played by Ray Liotta is a pastor, at
times coming across as harsh, it is done with a measure of respect that it is clear
he loves his wife and son. It was refreshing to see a pastor portrayed in a
realistic way, full of faith, love and yes, even faults. He isn't perfect, none
of us are but he represents a measure of love I greatly appreciated. As many involved
in various ministry work will understand, his character is presented in a way
that many will relate to. We see a mother
and father played as most seem to be, at times living through their children
but this family ultimately realizes a child's dreams may not be the same as the
dreams of the parents. While it takes one a little longer to realize this
point, they ultimately both do. The viewer also ultimately sees why the
character of Ryan Wade has reasons to love music the way he does. We question, that
maybe just maybe, God planted those dreams and abilities in Wade just like he
does all of us our own specific dreams and abilities. We see this especially later
on in the movie when Ryan discovers the secret about his identical twin which
he never realized he had until he, (Ryan) is older pursuing his own dreams.
Make plans now to go see this toe tapping, faith
affirming wonderful movie that will encourage you to not give up on your
dreams. It could have been overly preachy but it isn't. It is instead a movie that people of faith
will enjoy alongside friends who aren't religious. It presents life lessons in
a non preachy way that resembles the non confrontational, yet serious thought
provoking parables of Jesus. I suspect many will be just like me, surprised at
how good this movie actually is. For fans of Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd, Seth
Green or even Joe Pantoliano you may be surprised at how good their
performances are. I would go so far to say to fans of Ray Liotta, they will
appreciate that he was the Executive Producer for the film and, in my opinion, this
is the best all round job as an actor he has been in. Unique I know for an
actor who normally plays the bad guy but that isn't the case here, he is a
loving father we see age and develop, even admitting to his faults in a beautiful
way as he gets older. His character is an example for many a father, especially
those in ministry.The Identical is a surprisingly good film that will entertain those who love good story, a strong affirmation of family, with life lessons and faith along with a ton of good toe tapping music. For that reason, this is among the top scores I have ever given any faith driven film, on a scale of 1 - 10, for the 9 letters in Identical, I give The Identical a very strong, convicting 9
To see the trailer for The Identical click on the video, if the video doesn't work, click on the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbJX8ZN8GPQ
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