True Identity

This one movie and the BBC Television series CHEF are my only connection with Lenny Henry, however I am a fan of his work on both projects.

I haven't seen this movie on DVD as it is not released on Region 1 discs as of yet, I truly hope it is planned as I would love to own this title on DVD.

My remarks are based on the VHS version, tattered and torn as it is.

This film will keep you laughing and engaged from beginning to end, there are enough SNL-ish interactions between the characters to have caused a copyright infringement suit ;)(just kidding).

The first time I watched this film it was truly ground breaking in a sense of character and timing, at least in my opinion (not having had much exposure to BBC TV/Celebs). His (Lenny Henry) off beat characters and persona(s) throughout the film are engaging and remarkably funny.

Miles Pope seems to be the sort of guy you would not mind helping should he require it, although knowing ahead of time what kind of help he would need with regards to this film would surely have slowed my response time.

However from the beginning plane ride on through the ending sequence this movie keeps me interested and laughing, a must see comedy for all ages based upon my perspective.

Please, if anyone has any pull with the powers that be, have this title released on Region 1 DVD as soon as possible, thanks.

The first half hour of this movie could have been shortened by fifteen minutes -- too many minutes are used in set-up. It doesn't start getting good until Frank Langella comes along. Then it gradually improves as it goes along, and reaches and sustains its peak toward the end, starting when Henry introduces his alternate character.

There is a somewhat large and famous supporting cast, and for awhile one wonders why so many well-known actors would sign on, but by the end, their involvement becomes justified, although some are not given much to do.

This would make a good TV movie, but it would take a lot of bleeping. Too much of the F-word, for example.

I picked a Laserdisc edition of this film up on ebay recently, simply because I was never aware that Lenny had acted in anything other than TV sitcoms.

Personally, I thought the film was entertaining enough.... Lenny stars as actor wannabee 'Miles Pope' who is on the run from the mob after finding out that local good guy 'Leland Carver' is in fact a wanted criminal who is assuming a new identity after plastic surgery. Aided by his friend Duane, who is a movie make up artist, Miles is transformed into a White guy so he can escape a hit-man sent by Carver. However, once Miles has dispatched him, he then takes on the role as the hit-man himself, in a bid to undercover the truth about Carver and expose him to the FBI.

The makeup that transforms Lenny into a white guy is very well done, however, his attempts at an American accent are less successful. The film has some good comedy moments, and some great one-liners, and it is a shame that it didn't do very well at the box office, in my opinion Lenny is a talented bloke and could have done so much more with his film career. So, to summarise: Nothing ground breaking here, and certainly no Oscars were missed but if you have nothing to do for an hour and a half you could do far worse than watch this. A fun little movie.

Lenny Henry (`Chef!') is a struggling outer borough actor in NYC who accidentally gets aquianted with a mob boss (Frank Langella) who is supposed to be dead. Convinced that his life is in peril, he has his make-up artist friend transform him from a black man to a white/Italian man and hilarious results ensue.

I picked this up at a used record store on video used for $1.99. Don't know what happened to the tape, but if you see it listed for even ten bucks it's definitely a keeper.

On his way to an audition, second-rate actor Miles Pope finds himself sat next to a businessman with connections to the acting world. However, during an extremely severe bit of turbulence, everyone assumes they will die and the confessions start – with Leland Carver confessing to Miles that he is really a wanted mobster (Frankie Lucino) assumed dead but hiding thanks to loads of plastic surgery. Of course when the plane doesn't crash, Carver is keen to keep his secret a secret and Miles finds himself on the run from a hit-man hired by Frankie.

Few people will come to this film hoping for much; indeed judging by the votes on this site it would appear that few people have come to this film at all. The plot sets up lots of material to be furiously milked and the writers don't disappoint as they take every strained setup they can and wring it dry. The fact that the plot is silly and forced will be no surprise to anyone but this was a price that I was willing to pay in this type of film in exchange for laughs. Sadly the film isn't actually that funny; it has some good moments but they are in the minority compared to the rest of the film that is mostly just so-so.

Henry's white makeup is impressive but once the novelty value has worn off there isn't a great deal left. His mimicry is good but his character voice (an American accent for Miles) is weak and generally his performance is only OK. His main problem is with the weak material he is given to work with; I'm not a big fan of him generally but he can do better than this. Langella is OK in support but not given that much to do – although his role is massive compared to the wasted presence of JT Walsh. Lane is pretty poor – not sure if he was trying to make himself the comedy Spike Lee but it didn't work.

Overall this is a pretty average film at best, but it isn't at its best that often. It is undemanding nonsense that will please some viewers and the white makeup is impressive but it must be said that the majority of viewers will find this comedy rather lacking in laughter and wit. Mindless stuff all round.