Chameleon Street

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Chameleon Street

R

1991

2h 0m

Biography

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Popcornmeter

100%

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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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Dmitry Samarov

Chicago Reader

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.

Nov 24, 2021

Full Review

Richard Brody

The New Yorker

A disarming, disturbing, elusive, and profound meditation on personal identity.

Apr 4, 2016

Full Review

Ernece B. Kelly

The Crisis

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.

Nov 27, 2023

Full Review

Imran Khan

PopMatters

Chameleon Street has a finger on the throbbing pulse of shifting cultures that see youth through punk, new wave, and hip-hop.

Oct 27, 2023

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Eve Tushnet

Patheos

A surprise and a treat.

Dec 16, 2022

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

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.

May 4, 2022

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Steve E

Having a friend who took his own life by slicing his wrists, a warning would have been nice!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

08/05/25

Full Review

Audience Member

I could have missed this film and been just as well off.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Almost unbelievable that this was filmed in 89.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

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Audience Member

Criminally underrated and overlooked !

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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::

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

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Wendell B. Harris Jr.

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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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