Harter Mann in Uniform

This is an excellent 'sleeper' from Canadian director Wellington. Who hasn't fooled around with the idea of dressing up as a cop, a priest, or a prostitute? Ever since childhood we LOVE to dress up as what we are not. And if we get a part in a movie (albeit a T.V. Movie) and well, they DRESS US UP for the show... well, it's hard to say no! But in this movie our protagonist lets the seduction of the Strong Arm of the Law grab him a bit TOO hard. It starts filling in for his weaknesses and most demonic desires. And soon he's not 'acting' any longer. David Wellington pulls the lid off a surprisingly familiar yet un-explored Pandora's box, and we're hooked from the word 'go!'. No Deniros, and he's not Scorsese... but the tight budget and Canadian surroundings do little to weaken this memorable little sleeper.

Different levels of interpretation, and an unforgettable opening sequence (and ending too). Glad I saw it. Why don't you?

Amazing that this was written and directed by the guy who gave us the godawful "Zombie Nightmare." It only goes to show that you CAN improve (although anything would be an improvement from that film).

"A Man in Uniform" (the U.S. title, at least) is an incredibly well made film focusing on bank employee Henry Adler who is also trying to make it as an actor. The opening shot of a police officer getting blown away is amazing. It also serves to show how Adler (well-played by McCamus), gets the inspiration necessary for his audition as a cop on a "Hill Street Blues" type of police drama. Adler's personality is so vacant that when he asks to borrow the police officer's outfit so that he can "stay in character" he slowly becomes the cop he's portraying.

A chilling urban psychodrama that deserves to be on the list with such films as "Taxi Driver", "Falling Down" and "Death Wish". 9/10.

If this little known film doesn't open your eye's to the potential of independent films, nothing will. This actors portrayal of his characters slowly crumbling psyche is so real it's frightening and sympathetic at the same time. The scenes where he is alone, replaying in his mind the confrontations of the day and trying to figure out what he should have said and done are so effective because to some degree, we all do it. As the film advances, he straddles the line between the real world and his fantasy until he slowly slips into the fantasy completely. A powerful, raw portrayal.

This is a film it pays to watch more than once. When I first saw it, I was tempted to dismiss it as merely bizarre. Second time around, I was absorbed by the story and thoroughly gripped by the characters and acting, particularly a superb leading performance by Tom McCamus. Fans of cop shows will also be entertained by some of the clichés we see in the fictional programme where "Henry Adler" has a role. So, if you're into cop shows, good acting and psychology, you can't do much better than this film.

Tom McCamus gives a haunting performance as an actor playing a policeman in a television series, who blurs the thin line between fantasy and reality. While he is good at imitating cops, he is not so good with relationships. After quitting his bank job, the death of his father, and being rejected by his imaginary girlfriend, McManus starts to put his police uniform to use out on the street, impersonating a beat cop. This leads to some uncomfortable situations, and eventually murder. The acting and intensity in "A Man in Uniform" is excellent, I just wish the story had been developed a little further. Still, watching this decent into madness is absolutely riveting. - MERK