Identity Thief - A Movie Review

Remember, never sell your identity to anyone over the phone. You will regret the crazy adventure you will find yourself in.

Stealing its own identity in 2013, Identity Thief is about a businessman named Sandy Bigelow Patterson who finds out that he is in serious debt which leads to chasing down an intolerable woman who stole his identity. Little does he know about the crazy illegal adventures that are about to unfold.

I remember collapsing onto the couch laughing the first time I ever watched Identity Thief. Movies with Melissa McCarthy have always been my favorite. Identity Thief is a lesson about watching out for those who may be out to steal your identity over the phone. Aside from the comedy, Identity Thief has an important moral about friendship, adventures and learning not to judge someone by their name.

Melissa McCarthy has a ball as Diana. She never lets anyone get in her way and she is never afraid to speak her mind. My favorite scenes had to be when she was singing in the car and making up embarrassing stories to get revenge on Sandy. The restaurant scene where she gets a free meal on the house is the best!

One trait that inspires me about McCarthy’s characters is that she plays strong women who are inwardly struggling. Never judge anyone based on their personality or outward appearance because you never know what battles a person has faced.

You can just see the steam shooting out of Jason Bateman’s ears as he patiently tries to get through every agonizing moment trapped with Diana. I loved his ‘so done’ reactions. One quality that I liked about Sandy was his soft side. Clearly, Sandy loves his family and he actually makes an effort to get along with Diana.

Aside from making people accept and understand his own name that is argued to be only a name for girls, Sandy learns to walk in other’s shoes, something in which he didn’t know he needed to do.

Jon Favreau, Amanda Peet, T.I, Genesis Rodriguez, John Cho, Mary-Charles Jones, and Maggie Elizabeth Jones all made memorable appearances. Identity Thief included a huge ensemble of talented actors who were having fun dancing in bar scenes, or characters reacting to all the drama unfolding.

I have to give a shout-out to Peet and the two young actresses who played Sandy’s daughters. Their scenes gave me a smile as they made a genuine family, supporting each other or making one another laugh.

Movies about travel are my favorites. You get to know someone. While you’re driving in a car conversation will arise. Identity Thief is a nice example of unexpected journeys and what can unfold from them. You never know what you are going to learn about yourself, someone else, or even the world.

Seth Gordon created a barrel full of laughter comedy. The film was an equal mixture of comedy and drama, provided by actors who did a splendid job in their deliveries and hilarious facial expressions. One of my favorite aspects of Identity Thief is that it is a learning lesson. Not only to watch out for who you give your information to on the phone but also a lesson on unlikely friendships.

If you are looking for a laugh, Identity Thief is the right medicine. No matter how many times I have watched it, Identity Thief will never lose its valuable message. The comedy choices may not be for everyone, but this film is heartwarming. McCarthy and Bateman have the best chemistry as they drive each other insane while running away from constant danger.