Educational Media Reviews Online

Is it true that every person in the world, not including identical twins, has an unrelated doppelganger or body double? What happens when an ordinary person closely resembles a music or film star? According to this light-hearted and entertaining documentary, many of these unrelated lookalikes become celebrity tribute artists. From Elvis to Stevie Nicks to Hugh Hefner and beyond, personality impersonators find employment at both private and public events, with many able to make long-term professional careers based on a physical resemblance to someone famous.

Independent filmmakers Kovacsev and Mamula follow several of these tribute artists as they go about their chosen occupation. In preparation for attendance at the annual Sunburst Convention for Professional Celebrity Impersonators, Chris America works on her Madonna routine, John Morgan hones his impersonation of George W. Bush as a motivational speaker, and the husband of Betty Atchison constructs a fire-shooting bra for her Lady Gaga appearance. Elsewhere, Charlie Franks, an Elvis tribute artist, loses his voice and makes a career switch, while Sean Banks must decide if leveraging his likeness to Barack Obama will help or hurt his own political aspirations.

Although an unusual way to make a living, the celebrity lookalikes appear to be well-grounded in reality, enjoying the illusion and fun of pretending to be someone else while fully understanding they are also doing a job. Bonus features include a theatrical trailer, original short film, and more than 90 minutes of deleted scenes. Recommended for general audiences.