Carbon Copy (1981)

The film was still a fun one that will make you laugh and have you leaving the theater feeling like you just stole something valuable and got away with it.

it is the rare 'crazy' movie that actually has something to say.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

I really to don't why some movies (like this one for example) have such a low rating! I watched the movie and had fun! Nice actors, parts you will laugh and a great feeling that only 80s movies have. If you are thinking of watching don't let the rating stop you! You will definitely enjoy it!

One part "Fire Sale" ( White family adopting Black child ), one part "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" ( the culture clash surprise ), one part "Life Stinks" ( the reality of life on the streets ), and you pretty much have "Carbon Copy". The movie can stand on it's own however, because George Segal and Denzel Washington compliment each other nicely as mismatched Father and Son. There are a number of laugh out loud moments, and some social lessons too. If you go in not expecting too much in the way of logic, you will not be disappointed. I think George Segal is very underrated as a comedy actor. Just take a look at "Where's Poppa?" if you disagree. - MERK

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.

Racism is a serious issue in the world: it was in 1981 and it still is today. That this movie makes it its central issue isn't the bad thing. What's bad is that no one cared to think about what was being said."Carbon Copy" is aptly named; it's the same story that was used in a million other movies about fathers finding out they had sons that were a different race/impoverished/radicals/whatever was the hot topic issue of the day. What is different this time around is that things are supposed to funny.Funny. Yes, you read that right.I guess that any subject can be made funny, in theory, but RACISM? The Hollywood suits must have felt they had to take yet another serious issue and sugar-coat it with slapstick, one-liners and stereotypes (white ones, for a change). Segal, Warden, Washington and Winfield should have known this was a doomed project from the start. Nothing works, even the "humor" is blunted since it grates so against the real subject matter. But since it was directed by Schultz (not known for his subtlety) I guess no one should really be surprised.No great strides in the bridging of the races were made with "Carbon Copy", I'd guess since no one took it seriously. No stars. Fortunately, the actors recovered and went on. After seeing this mess, I wish I could.