Chameleon (1995 film)

Chameleon is a direct to video film from 1995, starring Anthony LaPaglia. The film was directed by Michael Pavone. Pavone wrote and produced the film, with Dave Alan Johnson.

For works with similar titles, see Chameleon (disambiguation) § Film and television.
Chameleon
Directed byMichael Pavone
Produced byDave Alan Johnson
Michael Pavone
Written byMichael Pavone
Dave Alan Johnson
StarringAnthony LaPaglia
Music byJohn Debney
CinematographyRoss Berryman
Edited byJoanne D'Antonio
Production
company
Rysher Entertainment
Release date
  • 1995 (1995)
Running time
108 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

When agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration are ambushed during a raid, Agent Matt Gianni suspects a leak, and asks his boss Stuart Langston, to enlist an outside agent. Langston brings in Willie Serling, who is a master of disguises, and whose family was killed by Alberto Cortese, a drug smuggler. Langston sends Serling to jail undercover, to investigate a drug operation, possibly run by Cortese.[1]

While in jail, Serling disguises himself, as a computer expert, and recovers critical bank records. Gianni frees him from jail and sends him to a bank, to pose an auditor, and follow up on the records. Serling investigates bank executive, Jill Hallmann, but begins dating her. He finds out that another executive, Morris Steinfeld, is the one involved in criminal activity.

Steinfeld finds out that he is being investigated, and reports to bank president, Jason Ainsley, who informs Cortese of the investigation. Cortese kills Ainsley, and also gets Steinfeld killed. Serling, who is targeted next, disguises himself as a hobo, and is able to shoot Cortese first, though he does not kill him.[1]

Serling’s behaviour, after the events, becomes bizarre, and he ignores Gianni’s imploring to quit. Gianni arrests at the prison, and the bank, and the perpetrators involved with the drug operation. Meanwhile, Serling transfers Cortese’s money from an offshore account. He tells Hallmann his real identity, and leaves her. When Cortese attempts to come after Hallmann, Serling shows up, and kills Cortese.[1]

Cast

Reception

The Roanoke Times reviewed the film, “The... plot is standard movie thriller stuff — a little slow and, at the end, cliched — but LaPaglia's performance overcomes the flaws.”[2]

TV Guide reported, “Chameleon has commendable ambitions to rise above the usual straight to video level, but is seriously undermined by sluggish pacing and gross overlength... (the film) is a surprisingly low key, talky thriller that remains consistently watchable, but doesn’t really explore its intriguing premise involving disguise, identity, and personality transference.”[1][3] DVD & Video Guide 2005 said, “LaPaglia has a field day in the central role, but the film’s plot is just a bit too derivative.”[4]

Psychotherapists on Film noted how the film utilizes a psychiatrist as a character; Willie Serling’s boss asks a psychiatrist about Serling’s response to his family being killed. The authors write, “She says Serling has an “as if” personality brought on by his trauma, and if he is left in the field he could lose whatever personality he still has. She is right, but a new love saves him.”[5]

References
  1. "Chameleon Review". TV Guide. Retrieved January 22, 2013.
  2. Mayo, Mike (September 28, 1996). "Look for Names You Know in 5 Dramas". The Roanoke Times.
  3. Grant, Edmond, ed. (1997). The Motion Picture Guide, 1997 Annual: The Films of 1996. Cinebooks. p. 61. ISBN 978-0-933997-39-4.
  4. Martin, Mick; Porter, Marsha (2004). DVD & Video Guide 2005. Ballantine Books. p. 186. ISBN 978-0-345-44995-5.
  5. Flowers, John; Frizler, Paul (2004). Psychotherapists on Film, 1899-1999: A Worldwide Guide to over 5000 Films. McFarland. p. 105. ISBN 978-0-7864-1297-6.
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