Movie Monday: The Identical Movie Review

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this preview, free of charge, from Propeller/ Fly by Promotions, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it

If you recall, I shared a great giveaway of a new movie soundtrack, The Identical, with you recently
and it ends TODAY!!!! So you still have time to enter!

This past week I was also very lucky to be able to check out a preview of the movie itself, which was released on Friday!

The Identical tells the compelling story of twin brothers unknowingly separated at birth during the Great Depression. DREXEL HEMSLEY becomes an iconic 50’s rock ’n’ roll star, while RYAN WADE (Blake Rayne) struggles to balance his love for music and pleasing his father. The Reverend Wade (Ray Liotta) and his wife (Ashley Judd) are sure their adopted son has been gifted and called by God to be a preacher. But Ryan challenges his parent’s vision for his life, and unflinchingly chooses to launch his own music career with his best friend (Seth Green). Encouraged by his wife (Erin Cottrell) and employer (Joe Pantoliano), Ryan embarks on an unpredictable, provocative path - performing the legendary music of Drecel Hemsley in sold out venues all across the country. As the brothers destinies tragically collide, Ryan discovers that Drexel is his identical twin which leads him to question everything he’s ever believed about God, family, and his own identity.

This is a movie you will WANT to go see! ALL the actors/actresses give very nuanced performances, and if you thought Ray Liotta could only play a 'mobster', you need to see his performance and a preacher, and father to 'the Identical', so see just how wonderful of an actor he is! Ashley Judd, as always gives a great performance! Joe Pantoliano gives an understated performance, that makes you know he greatly enjoyed his role. But the huge surprise is Blake Rayne, who plays himself and Drexel Hemsley, and sings songs in the movie! Trust me when I say he is a star on the rise!

This is a charming movie, PERFECT for a date night. The older folks will be comparing notes to what they know about a certain megastar, whose life, the movie is vaguely based on.

It is also suitable to take teens to, and allows for some great conversations, among them how a parents dream for their child may not be the course that their child feels in their heart. Learning to let that go, is a central theme in the movie. It is also a great movie for parents to see with adopted children, as it deals very well with that topic (and finding birth parents cam affect children). This is a lovely movie, and I urge you to check the movie listings in your area and head off to see it! You will NOT be disappointed! (and the soundtrack rocks too!)