The Identical 2014 (Movie Review)

Dir: Dustin Marcellino
Starring: Blake Rayne, Erin Cottrell, Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd
Dur: 1 hr 36 mins
Genre: Drama
Rating: 4.5/5
PG: Family film.

As I watched this film I couldn’t help but think it had something to do with the great ‘King of Pop’, Elvis Presley. Nothing was mentioned and so I conclude that the idea at most, is inspired by him.

America in the early 1900’s was a difficult place to live in, much less to start a family. Born into this situation were boy twins. Their parents barely had enough to sustain themselves and were desperate for help from any quarter. One night, William, the father of the twins, listens to a preacher sharing about the inability of him and his wife to bear children. He convinces his wife and they decide to give one of the boys up for adoption. The preacher, Reece Wade, and his wife, Louise, are at first against the idea but on further insistence by the Hemsley’s, acquiesce. Thus, begins the lives of the two brothers who only hear and see each other without ever knowing that they were encountering their brother.

Ryan Wade (Blake Rayne) grows up in a pious ambient and his father wants him to get into the ministry and take over from him. Ryan’s heart beats to a very different tune. Music is in his veins and his pursuit of his first love puts him at loggerheads with his dad. Simultaneously, Drexel (also Blake Rayne) sky-rockets to fame and becomes the biggest name in music in America. Ryan, against his father’s wishes pursues a brief career in music. He backs out from fatigue of monotony and the clamping down on his musical creativity by his agent.

The film takes us through the life of a musician. Of course, not everything is shown. Much of the glamour is omitted and for good reason. We have enough and more information about that. The focus of this film is on life. Music is the significant component of the film but relationships are the focus. The tale of twins who grow up never knowing each other and yet sharing so much in common is poignant. The whole story, in fact is poignant. Tragedy, drama and success are all wonderfully arranged in this foot-tapping and enjoyable film. Don’t miss it! 


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