The Identical

“The Identical” takes place during the Great Depression in the state of Tennessee. A young couple, William and Helen Hemsley (Amanda Crew) are struggling to make ends meet. Luckily, they have just been blessed with the gift of children, two of them to be precise, identical twin boys. One night, William notices a group of traveling Christians led by the famous Reverend Wade (Ray Liotta). During the event, Reverend Wade tells everyone about a miscarriage that occurred during his wife’s pregnancy.

As William listens, he believes that God wants him to give one of his sons to the good Reverend. After much prayer from William and Helen, they inform the Reverend of their decision, and Reverend and his wife thankfully take one of the sons whom they name Ryan Wade (Blake Rayne).

Years pass. Ryan is fully grown and struggling in forming his own identity (not knowing about his identical twin brother, the famous singer, Drexel Hemsley). His father wants him to go into the ministry, believing it to be God’s calling. Ryan, however, doesn’t hear the call and instead explains that music is what he believes God is calling him to do.

One night during a “Sing like Drexel” competition, Ryan performs and people are sure he is Drexel himself. He wins the competition, uses this to his advantage, and is able to launch his own singing career. And the rest, well the rest of the movie you will have to see for yourself.

What is and different from other films is that God is a central focus surrounding the events involving Ryan Wade’s circumstances. In the film, we watch as Ryan struggles with finding his identity and with the Reverend’s push towards the ministry, and in his struggle you can see him wrestling with God and God’s purpose for him. The film positively promotes Scripture and God in many ways (frequent, appropriate passages of Scripture are used, prayer is positively welcomed and encouraged, themes of praising God in the good and the bad). It is just so refreshing to see Him in the spotlight for a change.

In terms of filmmaking quality, this film is pretty much spot (including the performances by Ray Liotta as the Reverend and Blake Rayne as Ryan and Drexel). If I had one objection (and it is a minor one, at most), it might have been that the story tended to drag in some areas. But looking back at it, I don’t really feel that was such as a bad thing. The extensive time allowed me to learn about Ryan Wade, understand his character, and his struggle for self-identity. The music, most of it from the 1950s and 1960s, is quite entertaining, and Blake sounds as close to the real Elvis Presley as one could get.

Minor Objectionable Content

Violence: During a party, the county sheriffs come in and break up the party. Ryan and one of the sheriffs get into a confrontation with each other, and the sheriff kicks him in the stomach twice, which knocks him to the ground. One character has a heart attack, but ends up okay.

Profanity: The Lord’s name is taken in vain once (“Oh my L*rd”). There is also one instance of “h*ll”

Sex/Nudity: Some of the dancing is a little questionable during the partying scenes. There are some scenes involving kissing.

Other: There are some scenes where people are seen drinking and smoking cigarettes (Ryan, however, almost never touches alcohol and is seen drinking soda instead).

Spiritual Lessons

“The Identical” is all about the struggle to define who we are and who we are destined to become. Ryan spends most of his life questioning his surroundings (like his father’s influences and desires for his son), his passions, and his purpose. God calls us all to a purpose, each purpose according to his own plans, not ours.

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” –Jeremiah 1:5

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” -Proverbs 3:5-6

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” –Psalm 138:8

And remember, our identity is given to us through ONE Person and One Person only… Jesus Christ.

Violence: Mild to moderate / Profanity: Mild / Sex/Nudity: Mild

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