IMPOSTOR DOUBLE-DARES DE NIRO
By PHILIP RECCHIA

February 2, 2003 -- After walking away virtually scot-free last week from a possible two-year sentence for impersonating Robert De Niro, Joseph Manuella may be in hot water with the downtown actor-director again.
In a bizarre twist, a short film about Manuella, 52 - a De Niro look-alike who was arrested in 2001 for criminal impersonation - has been submitted to the Tribeca Film Festival, founded by De Niro.
The 35-minute documentary called "Look Twice" stars Manuella and Mario Occhicone, a dead ringer for Joe Pesci.
In addition to footage of the duo entertaining audiences, the film includes scenes of Manuella drawing a De Niro-like mole on his cheek and rehearsing signature lines like, "You talkin' to me?"
De Niro wouldn't comment about the movie or its eligibility for the film festival this spring. But his lawyer, Tom Harvey, said of Manuella: "He's pathetic, and it's sad that he hasn't learned his lesson. I hope he seeks help."
The film was shot a couple of years ago, before Manuella's legal trouble involving the actor.
In November 2001, Manuella was busted upstate for allegedly having a credit card under the name "Robert De Niro," receiving discounts at hotels, eating for free at restaurants and signing autographs as the actor.
Out on bail since his arrest, Manuella pleaded guilty via affidavit to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay $50 in restitution to a local Howard Johnson's hotel. In Deer Park, L.I., other charges against Manuella were dismissed.
"The charges of criminal impersonation against me were bogus," said Manuella, who lives in Glen Rock, N.J.
Filmmaker Max Frankston, 36, said Manuella now wants the film destroyed "on the grounds that it might reveal too much to the law."