She doesn’t know it yet, but Madison Montgomery (Scout Tayui Lepore) is approaching a crisis – an identity crisis. Despite her scholastic achievements and her natural beauty, the freshman science student at Grand Canyon University struggles with self-identity. So naturally, shy Madison is mortified to turn in less-than-perfect papers and projects because there would be no image of perfection to hide behind. She can’t even flash a glance at the really cute, blue-eyed guy (Finn Roberts) in the corner of the library where she works. She wonders, “Who am I really?” And to make matters just a bit worse, her fun and flippy, Maybelline-queen roommate, Harper (Laura Leigh Turner), continues to tug at her arm.
Madison’s stress level jumps unexpectedly when she discovers some bizarre machinery in the dusty basement corridors of the library. Curiosity takes over and Madison activates a clone creation command. Out of a cubicle pops another Madison! But this Madison – referred to as “Clone” – clearly has a more confident, party-loving side. Madison imposes the rule that they never be seen together. And since Clone (Sophia Tayui Lepore) looks identical to Madison, well, wouldn’t it be nice to let Clone handle the hard stuff? Like going to a party. Or speaking to the cute guy!
Let the antics begin.
Clone is her own festive parade while Madison watches from the sidelines. Madison struggles to keep count of her carefree clone’s flagrant faux pas which provides many comedic moments. But not all of the film is comedy.
One interesting element of Identity Crisis is the attention given to Creation by God. Science Professor (Maria Canals-Barrera) teaches, with clarity, from the Book of Genesis which says God made people in His image. The film asserts that God is our Creator and to be worshiped. The writing fits in nicely with Madison’s dilemma. She finds she was fearfully and wonderfully made, uniquely by and for God, leaving DNA as the instruction book. This is who she is – a unique child of God. Still, Identity Crisis subtly presents a prevalent undercurrent of our society’s youth – that of loneliness, depression, and struggles with confidence and identity.
Production-wise, the film’s use of location, Grand Canyon University, exudes a college atmosphere nicely, but without focusing on the “party” aspect. The camera, interiors, and writing are well thought out, with just a little improv here and there. Directing and acting are professional and enjoyable to watch. The Lepore girls pretty much own the film, filling it with life and energy. This is a great film to be enjoyed by the whole family. Dove is happy to extend the All-Ages Seal of Approval to Identity Crisis.
