Carbon Copy

This was the first time I had seen Denzel Washington and our family really enjoyed the movie. We are a Black family, so the White dad buying into the stereotypes about Black people struck us as quite amusing and he deserved his comeuppance for his sorry thinking. The movie was funny and also touching. True, there was a lack of depth in some of the acting, but not all movies that are made contain a great amount of depth. For the most part, if you want to watch a movie that won't assault your eyes or ears, yet entertain you with some true and humorous depiction of slices of life, this is a good one to check out. I've been a Denzel fan ever since I saw "Carbon Copy" and it is a part of my "favorites" collection.

Carbon Copy was previously unknown to me but recommended by a friend of mine. I'm a fan of Denzel Washington's work and to see him in a comedy, I figured why not. It has certain similarities to Trading Places as a riches to rags story. George Segal plays a successful white yuppie executive type who's life gets turned upside down when he discovers he has a black son that he won't turn his back on. He ends up losing his job and assets because of it and does the best he can do to deal with the situation. The film deals with a lot of race and class issues that are not much different and relevant today. The race situation is a little better, but we have a ways to go with that in America. Another theme of the movie is selling out has consequences and it is much better to stick to your principles than to take the more financially lucrative situation. Even with some of these themes , Carbon Copy is a comedy and a funny one that doesn't come across as preachy or pretentious.

I saw this movie in the 1980s on German TV (in English). Fortunately, I taped it, because I never saw it again -- until 2006 on the MGM cable channel (and now I recorded it on DVD!). In the meantime, I wrote a thesis that dealt, among other things, with integration and denial issues (compare it to Woody Allen's "Zelig", for example!), and I found more quotable poignant and funny lines in this movie than in any other. On top of it, it has all those minor jokes that you probably won't catch the first time around and that make a comedy great. This movie is extremely funny, well written and has great actors, who should really be proud of it. The only thing that surprises me is that with all those big names attached the movie is so frequently overlooked and almost forgotten. If you haven't seen it and get a chance to, by all means, watch it and spread the word. By the way: I won't claim I saw Denzel's potential back then, but when I look back at this movie now, in hindsight, you can detect an Oscar winner in the making. Why didn't I give ten points? Well, I have to admit that the movie tapers off a bit at the end. If it had started more slowly, it would be OK, but the first half is just one funny line after another, and it just doesn't keep up its pace. And maybe the end is too unrealistic -- but then again, what do you expect from comedy? For me, it still works because it has a lot to say, and it does so in a brilliant way.

Before watching this, I feared I was in for some cringy, eye rolling moments. Not as many racial slurs as I'd thought, plus two great actors (Denzel Washington and George Segal) starring in this. I was thrilled that I was about to witness Denzel's film debut, and I'd hoped it wasn't as offensive as I'd imagined. I mean, for young Denzel to be in such a film? I had expected something... better.

There were a few poignant moments between father and son. At the heart of this 80s film, it became more of a son trying to connect with the father he never knew, and they made some discoveries. In the end though, it's all about what the white person learns about other people. I understand who this film is aimed at, which is common. Still, it was better than I realized. It looked for something redeeming and the moments at the prison had Denzel's Roger give a good moment. It was good that George's. Walter gained insight too: loved that. I won't get into the awful supporting characters (I've met too many people in real life like that), but overall, I'd challenge people to find some worthy moments in this. At least it's not "Soul Man"!

I was very surprised to see this movie today on a channel that plays lots of familiar movies. I had never heard of this one before, but I figured with Denzel Washington how could I go wrong? Yes, Carbon Copy is over-the-top in its depiction of snooty racists, and some of the comedy borders on slapstick. But if you concentrate on the relationship between the Denzel Washington and George Segal characters, you're in for a real treat. They are truly wonderful together and Denzel, especially considering this is one of his earliest roles, has all the charisma, polish, and depth we have come to expect from him. Bonus points for some really funny lines and a serious point that is made with heart.