LeoGlossary: Carbon Copy (1981 Film)

Carbon Copy is a 1981 comedy-drama film directed by Michael Schultz, produced by RKO Pictures and Hemdale Film Corporation, and released by Avco Embassy Pictures. The film stars George Segal, Susan Saint James, Jack Warden, and Denzel Washington in his film acting debut.

Principal photography began on May 19, 1980, at the Samuel Goldwyn Studio in Hollywood, California, and concluded in July 1980. The production used 25 locations in Southern California, including Malibu and Lancaster.

Carbon Copy initially received an R rating from the MPAA, but it was reduced to a PG rating on appeal. Shout! Factory (under license from MGM) released the film in its original widescreen format on Blu-ray in 2018.

The film has a 33% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 6 reviews. However, some viewers have praised the film for its humorous and insightful depiction of race relations.

In summary, Carbon Copy is a 1981 comedy-drama film that explores issues of race and identity through the story of a white executive who discovers he has an illegitimate black son.

Plot

The film follows Walter Whitney, a successful white executive, who discovers that he has an illegitimate black son named Roger. Roger is a young man who is struggling to find his place in the world, and Walter's sudden appearance in his life causes a great deal of upheaval.

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