Review of Identity Theft

I was tricked into seeing this after reading the plot outline, which sounded interesting enough for me to check it out. It is as You might already know about a illegal Mexican who needs an opportunity to stay in the USA. This opportunity is given to him when a shot up drug dealer with American citizenship dies right in front of him. Francisco (the illegal) goes through his wallet and leaves with his ID, which he uses to get a new life. In the meantime Diego - the dealer survives and is sent to jail. After he gets out he tries to go straight, cause a woman gets him to change his thinking and ultimately turns him into a better person. Since there are two people with the same social security number things get mixed up pretty bad - Both Francisco and Diego find themselves neck deep in problems with the DMV, the IRS and revenge thirsty gangsters. This movie has its problems, but it is ultimately saved by 1.the story, which while not too original is clever enough, 2.by the characterization - while both leads are one-dimensional they evolve and go from good to bad and vice versa; and 3. by the sometimes witty dialogue. On the bad side the movie looks like a cheap TV-production, the actors are either wooden or overacting (especially Diego doing an rather laughable Scarface impersonation during the drug deal). Since for most of them this is the first time in front of the camera I am more than willing to forgive them. On the good side is the characterization - Diego (sporting an awful Tony Montana haircut with blond strains in it) comes out pretty enjoyable if hot headed, while Francisco in the beginning is a really nice guy and becomes with the time more and more cold and calculating. Despite the bad acting they somehow manage to pull it off. I didn't have to question the motives of any of the characters. The picture quality was pretty good for such a low budget movie. I liked the gun-play too, people shooting without aiming and actually not hitting much... reloading when they have to... Diego for example is being shot through an armchair, and in any Hollywood blockbuster the hero would find a pretty good cover behind one of those... Diego also looks pretty confident wielding a handgun, looks like the actor knows his guns. Francisco on the other hand is more than hesitant when he has to resource to an firearm, being an opportunist whose previous occupation was parking cars. I am not usually a fan of low budget movies and I am seldom able to sit through one... But this one didn't have me checking my watch hoping for the credits. I can't say this was not predictable, but to be honest I couldn't guess whether the lead will live or die in the end. I am maybe giving "Identity theft" more credit than it deserves... Just know that if You are not willing to forgive its shortcomings You will probably hate it. I can't say I loved it, but it was OK and entertained me.