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Chameleon Street

Play trailer Poster for Chameleon Street R 1991 2h 0m Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
William Douglas Street is bored with his life. Working for his father is getting to him, his wife wants more money, and he's had enough. His solution is to re-invent himself. He becomes a chameleon, taking on whatever role suits the situation.
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Chameleon Street

Critics Reviews

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Dmitry Samarov Chicago Reader 11/24/2021
Harris, who wrote, directed, and starred, uses the story of a man possessed of a unique ability to morph into whatever those he comes into contact with want him to be, as a trenchant exploration of the Black experience in America. Go to Full Review
Richard Brody The New Yorker 04/04/2016
A disarming, disturbing, elusive, and profound meditation on personal identity. Go to Full Review
Ernece B. Kelly The Crisis 11/27/2023
First-time director Wendell B. Harris, Jr. wrote the screen play and stars as Douglas Street, flawlessly making believable, in fact likable, a character whose real self is left concealed behind the various personas he assumes. Go to Full Review
Imran Khan PopMatters 10/27/2023
Chameleon Street has a finger on the throbbing pulse of shifting cultures that see youth through punk, new wave, and hip-hop. Go to Full Review
Eve Tushnet Patheos 12/16/2022
A surprise and a treat. Go to Full Review
Dennis Harvey 48 Hills 05/04/2022
Clumsy in some respects, with a halting narrative flow, Harris’ movie nonetheless remains an adventuresome early milestone in the “Amerindie” movement, as well as a singular detour for African-American cinema. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Steve E Aug 5 Having a friend who took his own life by slicing his wrists, a warning would have been nice! See more 01/06/2012 I could have missed this film and been just as well off. See more 10/17/2010 Almost unbelievable that this was filmed in 89. See more 04/14/2010 Criminally underrated and overlooked ! See more 02/10/2010 My Full Review here(too lazy to cut and paste): http://doormouseetc.blogspot.com/2010/02/just-be-yourself.html Its naughseating how brilliant, funny amazing cinema like this get completely forgotten. But then again why bitch about it, were all lucky and fortunate it got made at all. Harriss sounds like Orson Wells when he narrates, and has despite his budget the same level of ambitions. Instant top ten material. Review later...this one requires serious contemplation. ::places thinking cap on head, fist beneath jaw:: See more 10/18/2009 Crazy movie. Not fully successful, but especially the first half is just brilliant. Absolutely stunning writing. Crazy crazy story. Apparently this is partly based on a real-life conman? Just crazy amazing, doing surgeries and everything. Funny, but also a stunning social commentary. I'm still thinking about this movie, because the main character is essentially moving from one con-role to another, and through and through is a very aggressive social and black commentary, and the parallels here to societal roles are just so many I can't even get my mind around it. I am going to have to watch this movie again, perhaps repeatedly. A wacky movie, but really amazing. It jumps around kind of fast in the second half and kind of loses its clear direction in the story, but this is a really aggressively independent and fascinating film. I recommend it very very highly to those willing to put some effort into watching a film. See more Read all reviews
Chameleon Street

My Rating

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Movie Info

Synopsis William Douglas Street is bored with his life. Working for his father is getting to him, his wife wants more money, and he's had enough. His solution is to re-invent himself. He becomes a chameleon, taking on whatever role suits the situation.
Director
Wendell B. Harris Jr.
Producer
Dan Lawton
Screenwriter
Wendell B. Harris Jr.
Production Co
Gathsemane 84
Rating
R
Genre
Biography
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 24, 1991, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 20, 2016
Runtime
2h 0m
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