I Love a Man in Uniform

This is a very different movie that isn't easy to find on either VHS or DVD. I know it as "Man In Uniform" and, unfortunately, got rid of my tape after seeing this a few times. Now I regret it because I'd like to see it again.

"Disturbing" is a word most often used to describe this story. A mentally- disturbed small-time actor gets a role in a show in which he plays a cop. He begins to think that is really is a policeman and begins to impersonate one out in the streets.

This is a Grade-B type production with actors that may not be familiar outside of Canada, but it gets by. Tom McCamus plays the main role as "Henry Adler." Brigitt Bako is interesting in here, too.

If you can find this movie and enjoy stories about wacked-out people, grab it.

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?

I was very surprised by just how effective this movie really was. Some of the minor storylines don't work that well, but the main plot, in which an actor playing a cop starts pretending to be a cop, is great. These scenes were generally compelling, since I was never sure when (or if) he was ever going to get caught. McCamus plays the lead very well, and the rest of the cast is good, too. Quite simply, this is a very good film that deserves to be seen.

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.