True Identity

Its the shame this movie bombed at the box office, it really not that bad at all! The script and direction is maybe so so, but as a first major role for Lenny Henry, he really should have got more movies out of this. Not forgetting that he had a great support cast who did the best with what they had, making a still amusing film at the right time of day. I thought the make up/transformation of Henry was quite amazing and funny and perhaps has been over looked under appreciated ?, (Then again its brilliance may have caused certain people some discomfort?). To sum up,great cast,dodgy script and slightly wobbly direction but still worth seeing.

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.

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.

Lenny Henry who is somewhat under appreciated as an actor was superb in this film he's very funny in 'True Identity' and makes a groundbreaking performance in this in his 'whitesuit'. He makes a fantastic caucasian person looking a little bit like a taller version of Martin Short (comedian/actor). It's unfortunate that this wasn't as big a hit as it should and could have been...It wasn't marketed properly, wasn't on enough Screens etc etc. I 've seen far more mediocre films do far better at the Box Office precisely because the studio put more money into marketing it or opened very wide...and that is a shame. It's business! It would be wise and make great business sense for some studio to do another movie with Lenny Henry as the star; one that mixes comedy with another genre or two eg; Comedy/Action, Comedy/Horror. Comedy/Romance/Action. Comedy/Sci-Fi/Action etc. etc...Lenny Henry is a comedic giant and could make some studio a heck of a lot of money!

I am also a Lenny Henry fan and have enjoyed this movie each time it's been on (I think 3-4 times) on US cable. Like many movies, one needs to suspend disbelief and just enjoy the ride. Frank Langella is always good as an unexpected bad guy and I thought Lenny's dual role was very well done. This movie is lite fare and fun. Run to your nearest PBS outlet and watch Chef when it's on.