Identity Thief Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A dude named Sandy gets his identity stolen by a woman also named Sandy, so he kidnaps her, but then they become friends while running from debt collectors, because that makes sense.

🍿 Identity Thief: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Identity Theft

Sandy Patterson, a mild-mannered accountant in Denver, discovers his identity has been stolen. His credit cards are maxed out, and he’s facing legal trouble due to the actions of the thief. Frustrated by the lack of police assistance, Sandy decides to take matters into his own hands.

The Pursuit

Sandy travels to Florida to confront the identity thief, Diana. He plans to bring her back to Denver to clear his name. What begins as a simple plan quickly devolves into a chaotic road trip, filled with unexpected obstacles and hilarious mishaps.

The Road Trip

Sandy and Diana embark on a cross-country journey. Along the way, they are pursued by both criminals and a bounty hunter, adding to the already stressful situation. Despite their initial animosity, Sandy and Diana begin to form an unlikely bond as they navigate the challenges of their road trip.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Sandy Patterson (Jason Bateman): A mild-mannered businessman whose identity is stolen, forcing him to travel to Florida to confront the thief and clear his name.
• Diana (Melissa McCarthy): A brash and unapologetic identity thief who steals Sandy’s information and leads him on a chaotic cross-country journey.
• Trish Patterson (Amanda Peet): Sandy’s supportive and understanding wife who remains at home with their children while he deals with the identity theft.
• Daniel Casey (John Cho): Sandy’s former colleague and new boss who offers him a job at his new company, but is affected by Sandy’s identity theft situation.
• Harold Cornish (Jon Favreau): Sandy’s arrogant and selfish former boss, whose identity is later stolen by Sandy and Diana as revenge.
• Julian (Tip ‘T.I.’ Harris): One of the dangerous criminals pursuing Diana for giving Paolo bad credit cards, adding another layer of threat to her situation.
• Skiptracer (Robert Patrick): A determined bounty hunter hired to track down Diana, creating further obstacles for Sandy’s quest to bring her to justice.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Diana: “I just want to be upfront and say I visually enjoy you.” – Diana says this to Sandy shortly after they meet, highlighting her blunt and unconventional personality.
• Sandy: “It’s not, it’s unisex!” – Sandy responds to Skiptracer when he says ‘Sandy’s a girl’s name!’, defending his name with exasperation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $35,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $134,506,920
• Worldwide Gross: $173,965,010

💥 Identity Thief Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, I admit, I went into this movie expecting a laugh riot, mostly because of Melissa McCarthy. While there are definitely some funny moments (the car scene with the snake still makes me chuckle), I felt like the humor was a bit hit-or-miss. I did appreciate the attempt to give McCarthy’s character some depth, and the ending, though a bit cheesy, was kind of heartwarming. Overall, it’s a decent watch if you’re in the mood for something light, but don’t expect a comedic masterpiece.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy”
  • “Viewers who enjoy road trip comedies”
  • “People interested in stories about identity theft”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Crude humor”
  • “Some violence”

Professional Reviews

• Roger Ebert: “While Bateman and McCarthy have moments of genuine comedic chemistry, the script relies too heavily on tired stereotypes and predictable gags. The film struggles to balance its comedic and sentimental elements, resulting in a tonally uneven experience.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Despite the talent involved, ‘Identity Thief’ falls flat due to its uninspired writing and reliance on over-the-top physical comedy. McCarthy’s performance is energetic, but the character lacks depth, and Bateman’s straight-man routine grows tiresome.
• Entertainment Weekly: “Identity Thief is an uneven comedy that wastes the talents of its leads. While Melissa McCarthy delivers some broad physical comedy moments, Jason Bateman’s character is bland and the film’s plot is illogical and ultimately unsatisfying.

Audience Reactions

Melissa McCarthy’s over-the-top performance provided some big laughs.: Viewers found the slapstick humor and McCarthy’s energy entertaining, despite the predictable plot.

The film’s attempt at heart and redemption resonated with some viewers.: Some viewers appreciated the attempt at a heartwarming message about identity and belonging.

Overall Consensus: Despite the star power of Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy, ‘Identity Thief’ received mixed reviews, with many critics and viewers finding the humor inconsistent and the plot predictable. However, some enjoyed the performances and the film’s attempt at a sentimental message.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The role of Diana was originally written for a male actor. Jason Bateman suggested Melissa McCarthy for the part after seeing her performance in Bridesmaids.”
• “Filming locations included Chattanooga, Tennessee, specifically the Market Street Bridge.”

🖥️ How to Watch Identity Thief?

Identity Thief is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it on services like Prime Video for rent or purchase, Apple TV for purchase, and possibly other streaming services that offer movies on demand. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Identity Thief, you might like these similar films:

• Due Date (2010): Shares the road trip comedy dynamic with mismatched characters forced to travel together.
• Horrible Bosses (2011): Also directed by Seth Gordon and starring Jason Bateman, it features a dark comedy premise with relatable everyday frustrations.
• The Heat (2013): Another buddy cop comedy starring Melissa McCarthy, showcasing her signature comedic style.
• Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987): A classic road trip comedy about two mismatched people trying to get home for Thanksgiving, highlighting situational humor.

🛒 Identity Thief Related Products

• Identity Theft Protection Services: Experian IdentityWorks: Protect yourself from becoming a victim of Identity Theft. Experian IdentityWorks helps you proactively monitor your credit and personal information and provides identity restoration assistance.
• Identity Thief (Blu-ray): Own the movie that started it all! The Blu-ray edition features deleted scenes, gag reels, and behind-the-scenes featurettes.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Melissa McCarthy: Add the Identity Thief Funko Pop! to your collection. Great for die-hard fans.
• Car and Driver – Auto Theft Protection: Keep your vehicle safe with a Vehicle Theft Protection Program from Car and Driver. Includes anti-theft warning decal.

🎧 Soundtrack

Identity Thief features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Bad Girls” – performed by M.I.A.
• “Suddenly I See” – performed by KT Tunstall

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Trying Not To Laugh! | Bonus Feature Spotlight

Get ready for some giggles! This bonus feature takes you behind the scenes of ‘Identity Thief’ and shows how much fun Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy had making this hilarious comedy.

Movie Review: ‘Side Effects’ and ‘Identity Thief’

Curious to know what others think about ‘Identity Thief’? Check out this review that pairs it with ‘Side Effects’ for an interesting comparison and discussion.

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