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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.

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.

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.

Growing up there was a bunch of movies I would have never saw if it wasn't for late night TV in the 90's. 'True Identity' happens to be one of them. It has stuck with me doing a Mrs. Doubtfire routine before that movie even existed. I'll state up front I'm not familiar with comedian Lenny Henry, but that didn't stop this film from having fun moments.

Struggling actor Miles Pope (Henry) is sat next to a reputed mobster (Frank Langella) who is thought to be dead on a flight. When it appears the plane is going down, the man airs his dirty secrets and afterwards wants Pope dead. With the help of his movie makeup neighbor, Miles undergoes a transition to being a white guy and then inadvertently takes the identity of the hitman sent to kill him. Faking his way thru conversations, making excuses, staging a fake murder scene until the gig is up and he has to find a real way out.

Quite a few recognizable faces pop up, but the show belongs to Henry, the dependable Langella and Andreas Katsulas (Star Trek TNG, The Fugitive) as the mobsters associate. There's a throwaway love interest and some corny cop play in which the film takes a dip however there's a solid laugh or two during his aspirations for a successful acting career.

Remember that classic bit from 'The Simpsons' with the pamphlet on stealing cable? "Fact: Most movies on cable get two stars or less and are repeated ad nauseam." That's 'True Identity' in a lot of ways. Good pieces here, I certainly laughed but you have to sit thru formula to get to them.

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!