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A Disappointing Continuation

This is a tender, generous movie that likes its characters and presents them as real people, full of flaws and strengths.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

Blistering performances.

This is the case of a script that unfortunately leads to an "unbelievable" conclusion. Getting there is not much fun either, as the film plays like a minimal information puzzle. There are zero sympathetic characters, especially the unbearably wimpy husband. Since we never see the rape, which is motivation for the entire contrived plot, our housewife's revenge plan really is trivialized right from the git-go. The rapist himself is never even shown, until the moment of his demise. The entire production hinges on improbable events that simply cannot be swallowed as fact. So, what you have is a tedious build up to a conclusion that is not believable, and a movie that is not recommended. - MERK

This is another film of the low budget, barely released,but worth the trouble to look for genre of independent films. A brutally raped woman ,trying to adjust to the endless trauma,is appalled to find her convicted attacker is released early on a plea bargain. Upon touching bases in her daily routines,she discovers different things she can do to escape her mundane housewife and take on a completely different persona to help her resume a full life. This film moves at a steady speed and makes it worth the time it takes to get to its climax and delivers it before just before you are ready to predict it. The film is like a close friend saying they found something and having you come and look ,after taking a long walk to get there,surprising you with his discovery.

The promotional catch phrase for this film is "never assume anything." That is more appropriate than one can imagine: it also applies to the film industry itself! Some people have dismissed this film due to it's low budget, relatively unknown actors, and slow pace. Assuming you need big budgets and big stars doesn't guarantee a good film and one that will still remain in your memory for years to come. That said, Positive I.D. is proof that a good idea carefully constructed will surpass most other films again and again.Director/screenwriter Andy Anderson tells a compelling story without sensationalizing the topic of a rape. The film starts a year after the lead character's rape, and actress Stephanie Rascoe does a fine job in conveying her inability to overcome what has happened and her frustration that many around her can't understand why she just doesn't get on with her life. She then starts assuming another identity and the great thing about the story is that we are not clued in on her reasoning and scheme until the very end. Therein lies the slow pacing, but that's the beauty of this film--we are fascinated by her every move and NEED to stick with her through to the end! And what a satisfying payoff that is, too.As for the low budget, it actually gives the film a real feeling, like the viewer is right there as an observer in each scene--almost as if these lives were being documented. The same goes for the dialogue. Rascoe's creation of false identities by using actual means of legal loopholes is amazing to watch, and frightening because of the fact that people actually do this. On a trivia note Lauren Lane from TV's sitcom The Nanny plays a rather fun role as the neighbor, which will surprise fans of that show.Back in 1987 Positive I.D. was fortunately picked up by Universal and was given a wider release in theatres, helping it be discovered by a larger audience and notice from the critics, making several of their top ten lists for that year. Over the years it has survived by word of mouth and cable play, but now it can be a part of your collection since Anchor Bay has reissued it, and for true collectors its availability on DVD makes this a must-have title to own. See why an independent production like this from 1987 has held its own after all these years and is still revered by film buffs everywhere.

This movie concerns a rape victim, who is having a hard time getting over her trauma, as well as realizing how victims of rape are harmed two-fold -- by the act itself and by public reaction afterwards. She sees a report on television on how some people change their identities, which catches her eyes for a few reasons, reasons we will fully learn about at the end of the film, though it becomes pretty clear about half way through.The film includes a few um hammy touches, including that kind of annoying dramatic music, but is an excellent character study with a twist. Not only does it do a good job showing the trauma of victims, even long after the crime, but it throws in themes of identity as well. The movie does not really have many surprises, though the ending is not as clear cut as a standard film of this type tends to be, but it was a joy (if I might use the word in this context) to watch for the performances. Definitely a good different little film to rent -- I just saw it for the second time, and yet again saw why I liked it so much the first time around.