10 Greatest Ray Liotta Movies - Ranked

9. Identity

Ray liotta goodfellas
Sony Pictures Television

Whatever the size of the part, Ray Liotta could always be relied upon for a jolt of charisma and intensity, and he’s the perfect performer for this 2003 curio.

Released in 2003, James Mangold’s noir thriller is a whodunnit in the Agatha Christie style, a cunningly put together throwback which encourages the audience to engage with the mystery and presents it as a game, a puzzle which can be solved by playing close enough attention.

The setting is delightfully classical - a motel on a rainy night sees 10 strangers assembled through fate. One by one, they’re picked off; any one of them could be the murderer. As paranoia creeps, another story unfolds of a death row convict seeking a last minute appeal. The stories are patiently woven together towards a genuinely satisfying finale.

Liotta shines among a star studded cast of character actors as Samuel Rhodes, a cop (or is he?) transporting a prisoner. He injects the film with his trademark manic, shifty energy. He’s a man on the edge, poised to steal the film with his increasing wildness but acting as a great part of the ensemble.

Contributor
Contributor

Yorkshire-based writer of screenplays, essays, and fiction. Big fan of having a laugh. Read more of my stuff @ www.twotownsover.com (if you want!)