Films About Identity
“Fight Club”, 1999
Director: David Fincher
Directed by David Fincher, this film dives into the fractured psyche of the unnamed protagonist as he struggles with consumerism and the meaning of his existence, ultimately creating an alter ego that pushes him to extreme measures in his search for authenticity.
Starring: Edward Norton, Brad Pitt, Helena Bonham Carter, Meat Loaf, Zach Grenier, Holt McCallany, Jared Leto, Eion Bailey, Richmond Arquette, David Andrews;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: thriller, drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 139 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,8;
“The Bourne Identity”, 2002
Director: Doug Liman
This action thriller directed by Doug Liman follows Jason Bourne, a man suffering from extreme memory loss, as he attempts to piece together his past while being pursued by assassins, leading to a larger discovery of his true identity as a covert operative.
Starring: Matt Damon, Franka Potente, Chris Cooper, Clive Owen, Brian Cox, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Gabriel Mann, Julia Stiles, Tim Dutton, Walton Goggins;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: action, thriller, detective;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 113 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “The Bourne Identity” on the website imdb.com
“Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”, 2004
Director: Michel Gondry
In this romantic science-fiction film directed by Michel Gondry, a couple undergoes a procedure to erase memories of their relationship, which leads them to question their identities and whether their essence is rooted in their experiences and memories.
Starring: Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Kirsten Dunst, Mark Ruffalo, Elijah Wood, Tom Wilkinson, Thomas Jay Ryan, Jane Adams, David Cross, Gerry Robert Byrne;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: melodrama, science fiction, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 108 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,3;
More information about the film “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” on the website imdb.com
“A Single Man”, 2009
Director: Tom Ford
Directed by Tom Ford, this film portrays a day in the life of an English professor in 1962 Los Angeles as he struggles with the loss of his longtime partner and the alienation he feels from his identity as a gay man in a prejudiced society.
Starring: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult, Matthew Goode, Jon Kortajarena, Paulette Lamori, Ryan Simpkins, Ginnifer Goodwin, Teddy Sears, Paul Butler;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: thriller, drama, melodrama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “A Single Man” on the website imdb.com
“The Danish Girl”, 2015
Director: Tom Hooper
Directed by Tom Hooper, this biographical drama is based on the life of Lili Elbe, one of the first known people to undergo gender confirmation surgery. The film explores themes of gender identity and the courage it takes to be true to oneself.
Starring: Eddie Redmayne, Alicia Vikander, Matthias Schoenaerts, Ben Whishaw, Amber Heard, Sebastian Koch, Emerald Fennell, Adrian Schiller, Henry Pettigrew, Tusse Silberg;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “The Danish Girl” on the website imdb.com
“Moonlight”, 2016
Director: Barry Jenkins
Directed by Barry Jenkins, this film is a three-part narrative that tracks the life of Chiron, a young black man growing up in Miami, as he grapples with his identity and sexuality amidst the trials and tribulations of his personal environment.
Starring: Alex R. Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, Trevante Rhodes, Naomie Harris, Janelle Monae, Mahershala Ali, Jaden Piner, Jharrel Jerome, André Holland, Patrick Decile;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 110 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Moonlight” on the website imdb.com
“Lady Bird”, 2017
Director: Greta Gerwig
Greta Gerwig's coming-of-age film follows a high school senior, Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson, as she attempts to forge her own identity, navigate teenage relationships, and escape what she perceives as the constraints of her life in Sacramento.
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, Tracy Letts, Lucas Hedges, Timothée Chalamet, Beanie Feldstein, Lois Smith, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Odeya Rush, Jordan Rodrigues;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 94 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Lady Bird” on the website imdb.com
“Call Me by Your Name”, 2017
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Directed by Luca Guadagnino, this romantic drama is set in 1980s Italy and chronicles the summer romance between a teenage boy and a visiting graduate student, examining the transformative power of first love and the formation of identity.
Starring: Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet, Michael Stuhlbarg, Amira Casar, Esther Garrel, Victoire Du Bois, Vanda Capriolo, Antonio Rimoldi, Elena Bucci, Marco Sgrosso;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 132 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Call Me by Your Name” on the website imdb.com
These are just a few films from a vast landscape of cinema that addresses the deep and enduring question of who we are. Each offers a unique perspective on the formation of identity and the human desire to understand our place in the world.
In the intricate landscape of cinema, films about identity stand as profound explorations of the human condition, revealing the multifaceted layers of what it means to be oneself in a world teeming with diversity and conformity. These films, ranging from the introspective journeys in “Moonlight” to the genre-defying narratives of “Persona,” not only challenge our perceptions but also invite us to reflect on our own identities in relation to others and the environments we inhabit. Through their compelling storytelling and nuanced character development, they underscore the complexities of self-discovery and the courage required to embrace one's true self amidst societal expectations. In doing so, they achieve a universal resonance, reminding us that the quest for identity is both a deeply personal and a collectively shared experience, making them indispensable contributions to the rich tapestry of global cinema.
