Every week at SiftPop.com, we challenge our writers to choose what they think is the best movie under a certain topic related to a recent release. So this week, with the release of Dear Evan Hansen, we’re counting down our favorite movies featuring mistaken identities! Let us know @SiftPop what your ranking is!
It’s rare that when you see a movie for the first time, you just know you witnessed an instant all-time classic that will be one of your new favorite films. Game Night is one of those films. It’s a simple set up of friends coming together for a typical weekly event that many do themselves, until a case of assumed mistaken identity happens, real kidnappers show up when everyone else thinks it’s part of a game. You get a film that spends most of the cast thinking they are not in danger, while being in danger, and then… well you just have to watch this movie for yourself. It features an all-star cast of Jason Bateman, Rachel McAdams, Jesse Plemons, Kyle Chandler Bing where everyone delivers with plenty of twists and turns to keep you on your toes. The best part is, the comedy is mixed in perfectly. This genre-bending comedy is shot with a level of skill you just cannot believe. This will be a Game Night to remember. (Frank Kemp)
I was surprised recently by how much I love movie soundtracks and scores. Classic rock is one of my favorite genres, so it’s no surprise why I love and still adore School of Rock. This movietells the story of Dewey (Jack Black), a down-on-his-luck rocker who is stuck in the music of the past and doesn’t want to embrace the new-age style of rock. With needing to pay rent, Dewey decides to take a substitute teaching job from his roommate Ned (Mike White) and pretends to be Ned while exploring the fifth grade class’s musical talent to try and win Battle of the Bands. Dewey loves classic rock and shares that with the kids while teaching them how to play the classics. This is one story of mistaken identity that works fantastically well, all because of Black. He is one of those movie stars that, when he is firing on all cylinders, he makes some fantastic movies. School of Rock almost instantly became a classic with my generation and still holds up as a great film today. When I rewatched it, I found myself laughing still at the same scenes I have laughed at for years now. If you haven’t seen this movie, first off, what rock are you living under? And second, go over to Netflix and check it out. You won’t be disappointed. (Austen Terry)
Galaxy Quest asks the hilarious question, “What if an alien race thought a classic sci-fi show was real and recruited them to be their saviors?” As ridiculous as the premise sounds, it works brilliantly. The cast of this reality’s not-Star Trek is led by a prima donna captain played by Tim Allen, but the entire cast is stacked full of great character actors. My personal favorite is the late, great Alan Rickman. He’s fantastic as a classically trained Shakespearean actor dismayed by the fact that a “silly” space soap is his legacy. This is highlighted by his disdain at having to constantly repeat his catchphrase constantly at conventions. It’s amazing how much this movie was ahead of its time, given the rise of con culture since the film’s release more than two decades ago. While its commentary on geek culture is fun, it’s also a fantastic comedy that gets a lot of laughs out of its ridiculous plot. (Jake Bourgeois)
Movies where the main character experiences a bout of “mistaken identity” can be fun. They can be eye-rolling at times, and to me they can be quite anxiety inducing. In my opinion, Monty Python’s Life of Brian manages to hit all three in a masterfully hilarious manner. This movie is funny from start to finish, from the three kings going to the wrong house, Brian’s grammar lesson at the hands of the Roman Guard, to the final musical number. It also smartly pokes fun at religion in both subtle and overt ways. Like most Monty Python affairs, there are plenty of moments that will have you rolling your eyes or shaking your head at the absurdity. The running gag of someone having a big nose or the noblemen having ridiculous speech impediments are both funny and ridiculous throughout. Finally, what could fill you with more anxiety than being mistaken for the messiah? Poor Brian just wanted to get away from the Romans and after being picked up by aliens and forced to haggle, he accidentally starts a religion… the horror! (Nick Ferro)
Joe Gardner is a school band teacher, stuck in limbo after a freak accident. Joe wants to get back to his body for a chance in a lifetime gig, but needs to help another soul, 22, find their spark. As Joe finds a way home, he accidentally brings along 22, who ends up in Joe’s body, while Joe ends up in a therapy cat. While running around the city of New York, Joe tries to find a way back in his body, but also finds a reason to keep living. It’s a Soul-searching journey, but Joe and 22 find their ways into the world. The music, visuals, and strong voice acting from the cast with Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey as the leads are all great. It’s a feel-good, enjoyable film with a thoughtful message: what is it that makes you… YOU? (Chantal Ashford)
Before I dive into The Talented Mr. Ripley, yet another list of shame film, it has been brought to my attention that last week for Kingdom of Heaven that I said Martin Sheen when it should have been Michael Sheen. However, it’s fitting to resolve my mistake with this week’s BEC, with a film where a jacket and mistaken identity leads to a man going deep into the rabbit hole. I’m honestly wishing I had gotten to this one earlier, because everything about this movie is truly perfect for this story. You have some of the best actors of today, in a relatively early point of their careers, in a story that is enrapturing, but also with a twist that leaves you dizzy when you’re not prepared for it. This film is also beautifully well-shot, especially in the moments of the surreal. Also, it’s one of the few times the movie uses the right ship in their movie and doesn’t go for mistaken identity with a stand-in ship (looking at you S.O.S. Titanic, we all know that’s the Queen Mary you’re using as a stand-in). So grab your ticket and give this movie a watch if you haven’t. (Joseph Davis)
Who is the Big Lebowski? It is certainly not Jeff Bridges’ iconic character! He is the Dude… so that is what you call him. Or His Dudeness or Duder… or El Duderino, if you are not into the whole brevity thing. The Big Lebowski centers on this understandable mix up between Jeffrey Lebowski’s that leads to soiled rugs, a missing trophy wife, and a ton of drugs and alcohol in all shapes and sizes. The Coen brothers bring this crazy caper together with an incredible ensemble of wonderful characters that really tie the story together. Bridges is iconic with his endless charm as everyone’s favorite bum. But that is not all! We get his bowling buddies like converted Jewish Vietnam veteran and overall unhinged companion, Walter (John Goodman), as well as the quiet and unassuming man always out of his element, Donnie (Steve Buscemi). I can go on forever talking about crazy characters that make up this ode to noir detective stories but you all should go experience it yourself. Like, right now. (Shane Conto)
The Great Dictator is a satire where the citizens of Tomainia are subject to the rule of dictator Adenoid Hynkel. This came out in 1940, around the start of World War II, and years after Adolf Hitler rose to power. Hynkel and his regime persecutes Jewish people and soon dream of world domination. A Jewish barber, who looks like Hynkel, soon gets mistaken for Hynkel and hijinks ensue. Charlie Chaplin is on his A-game with this movie and this serves as his first fully spoken picture with sound. This movie alone is worth it for Chaplin’s powerful speech at the end, which is partially for the people of the fictional Tomainia, but it’s for the audience to rise up against brutes. This garnered a lot of controversy as well, being banned in Nazi-occupied and Nazi-sympathizing areas all around the world. This may be one of the most important and significant films ever made, as it set the tone for lampooning Hitler and inspiring people to unite in the face of tyranny. I know I get inspired every time I hear that speech and it’s an important reminder of the difference one person can make in the face of insurmountable odds. (Mike Hilty)
If there is any movie that is impossible to add any new piece of talk to the already lengthy and stuffed conversation towards, it’s Robert Zemekis’s Back to the Future. No film in the history of the medium is talked about more and still surprises audiences of all ages more than this action comedy romp. The story is simple, but still creative: a high schooler goes back in time to when his parents meet and ultimately does not ruin any sort of chances for them to get married. It is a simple story, but told in such a comedic angle, brought to life by two iconic performances by Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd. Back to the Future is one of those comedies where the jokes still will make me laugh and smile due to the delivery and timing. It is not just an action that happens followed by a joke — there is a buildup to the joke. In all honesty, the story structure will make someone smile a bit. Back to the Future is still talked about to this day because of the iconic moments it has brought towards cinema: its characters, jokes, lines, and even vehicles are all timeless in their own way. Robert Zemekis has created such an enjoyable film. It’s one of the few movies many people will look at you with 10 heads purely because you have not seen it. (John Bizub)
Mistaken identity is not an unfamiliar plot point for Alfred Hitchcock. Probably his greatest use of it comes in North by Northwest. In it, advertiser Roger Thornhill (Cary Grant) is mistaken for a man by the name of George Kaplan and is pursued by nefarious men attempting to kill him. Thornhill is forced to evade both his potential killers and the authorities while trying to unravel the mystery of Kaplan. Hitchcock isn’t called the master of suspense for nothing. His knack for creating tension is on full display here, particularly in the famous crop duster scene. It’s a film that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the iconic and climactic finale. (Jake Bourgeois)
A Bug’s Life
Some may call this a Three Amigos! ripoff, but if you really think about it, Three Amigos! is actually an A Bug’s Life rip off. For a nine-year-old, there is no way I would have seen Three Amigos! before A Bug’s Life. I would even go as far as to say that as far as mistaken identity movies go, A Bug’s Life has to be one of the most enjoyable versions of this classic tale. When it comes to talking about all-time great Pixar films, A Bug’s Life often gets lost in the shuffle. Being only the second Pixar movie, it was this outing that showed that this newfangled computer generated animation was the future. It is such a strong movie that, when we talk about the infamous bug wars of ‘98, Antz is often referred to as “That Other Bug’s Life Movie.” What truly helps make this movie special is the all-star cast featuring the who’s who of the ‘90s. Dave Foley is simply brilliant as the over-confident failed inventor trying to impress the princess, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The cast of characters is memorable and all have their own personalities. But what might really make this movie stand out is the blooper reel that capped off an already hilarious movie. Don’t step on A Bug’s Life; it is better than you remember. (Scott Batchelor)
Dave
What a silly comedy Dave is. I mean, imagine this — the president of the United States has a heart attack, but since it happens while cheating on his wife, they hire a lookalike to act as him. And that’s so silly, can you imagine that the president of the U.S.A. would be someone who has never held an office in his life? Someone who truthfully is not qualified enough? I know it might seem like a good idea, having an outsider who can fix all the issues, but that’s not how anything works. But I guess that’s why we have films, so we can imagine improbable situations like this. As far as Dave goes, it’s a really unrealistic film where the temporary president pretty much fixes most things and wins over the nation. But it’s so uplifting, charming, and wholesome that it gets to you, since deep down, we all wish politics would actually work like this and that politicians would be honest people, just doing their best for their country. Dave also has a strength on relying on A+ casting, with our main protagonists being Kevin Kline (Mr. Charisma) and Sigourney Weaver, who is simply charming as the First Lady. As far as mistaken identity goes, this is a great comedy with heart, even though, as stated before, it’s totally unrealistic. I mean, just imagine that — a person with no prior experience suddenly holding the highest office…? Movies can truly take you to some unexpected and wild places. (Luke Burian)
Tucker and Dale vs Evil
It is important to not judge one based on appearances alone. Two best buddies by the names of Tucker (Tyler Labine) and Dale (Alan Tudyk) are prime examples of this. In this horror-comedy, Tucker and Dale vs Evil, these two lovable hillbillies just want to enjoy their new vacation home in peace. This proves to be difficult when a group full of college kidsmistake them for scythe-wielding, chainsaw-revving, machete-wielding maniacs. This movie plays on every slasher trope and turns them on their heads in phenomenal fashion, with laughs coming in rapid succession as a result. The writing and performances only boost this film into full-out hilarity with each piece of dialogue, gory comical death, and perfectly timed reactions to events unfolding. The two leads’ synergy is off the charts in this film and make each sequential viewing a bloody good time. Labine and Tudyk are the foremost reasons to watch this film — the viewer will instantly fall in love with their good natured and wholesome outlook they carry. They are two guys who enjoy the simple things in life: fishing and having some ice cold PBRs. Too bad the pesky college kids keep killing themselves on their property. Horror-comedy is a niche genre, but Tucker and Dale vs Evil proves that with the right combination of elements can provide horror and hilarity in equal parts. (Joe Vargas)
Lucky Number Slevin
What do you do when you are Nick Fisher and you owe gambling debts to rival mobsters who want you to pull jobs for them to reconcile your debts? Better question, what do you do when you aren’t even Nick Fisher? Lucky Number Slevin is a terrific mistaken identity crime thriller. It is laced with an intricate plot that will have you twisting and turning all the way to the bitter end. It is loaded with an all-star cast featuring the likes of Josh Hartnett, Bruce Willis, Lucy Liu, Stanley Tucci, Ben Kingsley, and Morgan Freeman, amongst others. The pairing of Hartnett and Liu shows some of the most pure chemistry you could ever see on screen. The witty and quick-paced dialogue will have you rolling with laughter, while also praising the screenplay for its mistaken identity plot that leaves you in disbelief. Do yourself a favor and add Lucky Number Slevin to the top of your watchlist. You can thank me later. (Heath Lynch)
Dumb and Dumber
Long before Will Ferrell, Todd Phillips, and Judd Apatow were rolling out quotable comedies left and right, there was a film that I would argue is responsible for more lines that are echoed daily than any other: Dumb and Dumber. This 1994 gem, brought to us by the Farrelly brothers, follows the story of Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne, two (mostly) well-meaning friends that live up to the film’s title as they journey cross country for love. Throughout their mission to return Mrs. Swim? Swammy? Slippy? Swanson? Samsonite’s! briefcase, Lloyd and Harry make every dumb decision possible, yet still manage to hilariously accidentally their way through a multitude of life-threatening predicaments and hitmen, eventually becoming mistaken as the type of lethal assassins that can drop an owl with a cork. Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels’ comedic chemistry is on full display as Lloyd and Harry, delivering the kind of absurd comedy that had Carrey ruling the ‘90s. Still to this day, every time I see a friend with a Slurpee, I can’t help but ask them, “Big gulps, eh?” as I dream of driving away in a sheepdog van of my own. This movie, as ridiculous as the gags are, still makes me do a mix of cringe and cackle every viewing. So, even if you think the odds of this film being your cup of tea are one in a million, give it a try and know that you’re saying there’s still a chance! Bonus fact: for all you horror fans, the great Linn Shay makes a brief appearance as an angry dog owner, and that alone is worth it! (Matt Lawson)
The Man Who Knew Too Little
If the thought of Bill Murray leading any movie isn’t enough for you to watch it, then please read on in the interest of hilarity. The Man Who Knew Too Little is a criminally underseen gem from 1997. Murray plays Wallace Ritchie (great surname!) who, for his own birthday, pays a surprise visit to his banker brother (Peter Gallagher) in London. As welcoming as his brother James is, the timing of Wallace’s visit couldn’t be more awkward. He is hosting a group of German bankers at his house later that evening, with the intent of sealing a big merger, and a subsequent boost to his career. Seeing an advertisement for the ‘Theatre of life,’ a role-playing game where the customer is the hero, James books his brother in to keep him busy for the evening. Wallace takes a call in a public phone booth in what he thinks is the beginning of the game. However, he quickly becomes embroiled in a larger scheme of government espionage, and an assassination plot to kill a Russian ambassador. Naturally, from here, craziness ensues. Filled with hilarious situations, covering the gambit of clever, and base slapstick, The Man Who Knew Too Little offers a surprising depth of comedy that bares multiple viewings, and a little bit for all senses of humor to enjoy. (Adam Ritchie)
Date Night
At the time when Date Night, this romantic comedy from director Shawn Levy, was released, its two leads, Tina Fey and Steve Carell, were starring in two of the most popular television comedies at that time, 30 Rock and The Office, respectively. So, it was exciting to think about the two of them leading a movie together. And, thanks to their comedic talents, the movie doesn’t disappoint. The story focuses on Claire and Phil Foster, a married couple who feel like they’re in a rut. When a change to their typical date night leads to a case of mistaken identity, they will have to dodge crooked cops, mobsters, and a corrupt politician if they’re going to survive the night. While the premise is fun and has a lot of energy, the biggest draw here is seeing Fey and Carell perform together. From one crazy set piece to the next, they’re an absolute joy to watch, always reminding the audience why they’re two of our most talented comedic performers working today. If you’re in the mood for a breezy comedy, make a date with this couple. (Vincent Abbatecola)
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